First Line LW: Penner vs. Jacques

by Jonathan Willis on Oct 23, 2009 9:54 AM MDT in Analysis

There's been some griping in certain quarters (including this one) about the use of Jean-Francois Jacques as the left wing on this team's first line from the start of the season. Last night, Pat Quinn switched out Jacques and Shawn Horcoff for Dustin Penner and Sam Gagner.

I just thought I'd contrast the level of talent the first line was working with, versus what it had last night.

Dustin Penner, last night: 1 game played, 2 goals, 3 assists, 5 points, +3
J-F Jacques, career: 69 games played, 2 goals, 3 assists, 5 points, -18

I'm beating up a little bit on Jacques, who had a much better start this season than he ever has previously, but the fact of the matter is that Dustin Penner - just like last year - is better suited to the role than anyone else on this team.

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Bacon

Dustin Penner is like Bacon. He makes everything around him better.

Or maybe he’s butter.

Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.

by Derek Zona on Oct 23, 2009 10:01 AM MDT reply actions

or, bacon butter…mmmmmmmmm

by Kish on Oct 23, 2009 10:20 AM MDT up reply actions

Don’t cross the streams!

Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.

by Derek Zona on Oct 23, 2009 10:59 AM MDT up reply actions

lol.

What about bacon chocolate?

by dubya76 on Oct 23, 2009 11:08 AM MDT up reply actions

Maybe baconnaise? It does exist

by DuLock on Oct 24, 2009 2:07 AM MDT via mobile up reply actions

Nonono – just bacon!

Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.

by Derek Zona on Oct 24, 2009 11:37 AM MDT up reply actions

The picture so nice, we used it thrice.

by Benjamin Massey on Oct 23, 2009 10:20 AM MDT reply actions

Four times now

Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.

by Derek Zona on Oct 24, 2009 11:38 AM MDT up reply actions

You forgot one comparison

You forgot:
Sam Gagner 9GP 4G 4A 8P +5 (1G 2A 3P +2 last night, 7/9 on FO)
Shawn Horcoff 9GP 1G 1A 2P -4

Hell,
JF Jacques 9GP 1G 3A 4P -1
Shawn Horcoff 9GP 1G 1A 2P -4

by dubya76 on Oct 23, 2009 10:43 AM MDT reply actions

Although here I’d have to use Horc’s career numbers vs. Gagner’s single-game numbers.

What would have been more interesting – Hemsky last night vs. Hemsky on the season.

A posse ad esse.

Writer for The Copper & Blue and OilersNation.

by Jonathan Willis on Oct 23, 2009 11:18 AM MDT up reply actions

So...

Apparently attention to detail isn’t my strong suit. :) Two years ago I think the Jacques experiment would’ve worked, that Hemsky-Horcoff combination could carry a subpar third, I think.

I was cherry-picking anyway, I just want to know where 2007 horcoff went. He looked slow last year and slower this year (for Horcoff). Still so strong defensively, but where’s the speed, creativity, and hands? As much as I think Gagner is the future, putting on the top line now, if it clicks, will cost us next year.

by dubya76 on Oct 23, 2009 11:33 AM MDT reply actions

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