Reasonable Expectations for 08-09 (Strudwick)
Estimating point totals for Jason Strudwick is pretty easy. The stay-at-home, physical defender will show up more often in other categories, like blocked shots, healthy scratch and 5-for-fighting.
Strudwick can play the wing but is mostly used for defense (making him an ideal candidate to play LW should Jani Rita return).
I think Strudwick will probably play a bigger role than 7D/5L and in fact is a nice option should two of the youngsters struggle (Smid, Jacques) at those positions.
Mostly I’m curious about Strudwick’s ability to become another in a long line of D who’ve shown up on this team with the reputation of being veteran fringe players and blossomed under the tutelage of this coaching group.
Prediction for 08-09: 54gp, 0-3-3 (.056 per game).
Strudwick’s circumstances are a little different then some other reclamation projects I think.
He’s 32 and never been a regular, and last season he played the easiest minutes out of any regular Ranger.
I think this leopard’s spots have been well established. He’ll fill the role of designated puncher well enough, and probably be an injury fill in like Harvey/Sanderson before him.
I predict Strudwick gets next to no time in the latter part of the season, as a couple of the younger players will make moves to seize roster spots.
As much as I like Strudwick, I am concerned MacT will overplay him when some of the kids struggle. I hope Strudwick only plays as a injury replacement. I don’t like to see any of Gilbert/Grebs/Smid in the PB for more than a 1 game wake up call. They need to play their way into more responsibility and have a longer leash.
Look at how well Grebs and Nilsson did last season when allowed some lenience. 2 of our best players in the 2nd half of the season.
I would hate to see Strudwick get mins at the expense of the young kids. If MacT played Sanderson instead of Nilsson where would we be now?
But MacT didn’t play Sanderson over Nilsson.