Tommy Wingels getting attention with scoring touch
by Matthew_Taylor on Sep 26, 2011 8:55 AM PDT
in Worcester Watch
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Doug Wilson and Todd McLellan have been adamant this offseason that young players looking for a spot on the team have a shot. While that's been mostly lip service in offseasons past, it really does seem like that's the case this year. We've commented on young players like Cam MacIntyre and Benn Ferriero and more established forwards like Andrew Desjardins and Jamie McGinn. As of this morning, though, it looks like one player who flew under our radar may end up getting the longest look from the coaching staff.
Tommy Wingels captured attention in pretty dramatic fashion Sunday, scoring two goals against a Vancouver team that knocked San Jose out of playoff contention last year. Although the rosters were different last night than when the teams met in the Western Conference Finals (Vancouver head coach Alain Vigneault has held his regular players out to this point of the preseason), Wingels' performance thus far has definitely catapulted him into the conversation for a lower line spot.
In total, Wingels has scored three goals this preseason, good for a six-way tie for first amongst all NHL players. The scoring has helped him to stand out, and even though one goal was scored off a fortuitous bounce last night, Wingels was in the right place at the right time; that positioning wasn't a mistake and it's something that McLellan and his staff pay attention to in the preseason.
Wingels got a sniff of NHL action last year when injuries opened up a spot on the fourth line. In five NHL games, Wingels had one shot and was -1 in limited ice time before being sent back to Worcester. Far from impressive in that stretch, Wingels has done what he can to supplant that memory in the coaches' minds with a stellar preseason performance to date.
We get a feeling that more roster cuts will be coming in the next few days, but as of this moment, we're pretty confident that Wingels will stick around through the preseason. If he continues to score, he might just stick in San Jose longer than that.
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Looks like DW will need to call his mommy and get his permission slip extended. Good work Tommy….
And you think you live in a non-traditional hockey market...
"I flew 5,000 miles for this?"
And if you want more of this kind of thing, I'm spouting nonsense on Twitter too...
In the game last night,
aside from scoring goals, he was tearing it up with near BEAST mode like moments.
Something brought up in the game thread last night was that he may be better served by getting high line minutes in the Woo.
"Duh duh... duh duh... duh duh... Salsa shark! We're gonna need a bigger boat! Man goes into cage, cage goes into salsa. Shark's in the salsa. Our shark." - Randall Graves
The Lone Niclas Wallin Fan
I’m one of the people who A) isn’t at all surprised by Wingles play, he’s going to be a good regular NHLer very soon and B) Who thinks he might be best served by playing lots of minutes in all situations in Worcester.
If he can stay a regular on the 3rd line in SJ then great – but, considering how McLellan/coaches use the 4th line, I don’t he’s the type of player that will benefit from playing limited minutes on the 4th line.
I agree
His skill set give him potential higher than a 4th line grinder, so he should go play first line, pk,pp in Worcester, and be one of the top guys on the call up list in the event of a scorer getting injured.
"Duh duh... duh duh... duh duh... Salsa shark! We're gonna need a bigger boat! Man goes into cage, cage goes into salsa. Shark's in the salsa. Our shark." - Randall Graves
The Lone Niclas Wallin Fan
I hope he gets some taste of regular minutes in the NHL before being sent back down to the AHL. It gives him something to work on, if anything.
"Logan Couture is a dirty, filthy man. Tell all your friends" - Mr. Plank
Member of the Torrey Mitchell and Patrick Marleau Fan Club
RIP Atlanta Thrashers. Welcome to the NHL, Atlanta Thrashers of Winnipeg.
I agree with this. If Wingels is playing great to start the year, I see no reason why he can’t roll on that third line alongside Mitchell and Handzus. If the Sharks want scoring depth, and Wingels is helping them get there, by all means let it roll.
If he tails off or needs some more development time, send him down. But just like the organization did with Benn Ferriero in 09-10, ride the hot hand out of camp.
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You are so wise Plank
like a miniature Buddha.
"Duh duh... duh duh... duh duh... Salsa shark! We're gonna need a bigger boat! Man goes into cage, cage goes into salsa. Shark's in the salsa. Our shark." - Randall Graves
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IN PLANK WE TRUST.
The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*
"Those of you who volunteered to be injected praying mantis DNA, I have some good news and some bad news: bad news is we've postponed these test indefinitely. Good news is we've got a much better test for you: fighting an army of mantis men! Pick up a rifle and follow the yellow line. You'll know when the test starts."
by Evil Stanchion on Sep 26, 2011 1:31 PM PDT up reply actions
I like what I have seen from Tommy this preseason
I think he could stick with the big club and make a difference on the 3rd/ 4th line
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by PNK on Sep 26, 2011 9:45 AM PDT reply actions 6 recs
WTG Tommy!
Last night I came home from an electronically disconnected trip to Donner Lake only to find that the football game I was watching wasn’t the only thing on TV, I check FTF on my laptop and see this game was already playing and ran to the remote control with my arms flailing overhead like a coked-up banshee. Sooo nice to have hockey back!
P.S. It’s not wise to try and make a name for yourself by trying to take out Douglas Murray.
derp.
I don’t think there’s really a place for Wingels right now unfortunately, there’s no room for him in the top 3 lines and his skillset isn’t built for the Sharks 4th line. Release him to Worcester and call him up for injuries, maybe he can crack the starting line up next year if Mitchell’s contract isn’t extended.
Is Wingels the next Couture?
I remember a comment the announcer guys made last night, “Who needs Heatley and Setoguchi when you have Wingels?” Truthfully, I’d like to see him push the first and second lines. >:P If anyone falters, Wingels could see a call-up, methinks. He’s an asset on a team with aging stars (and with a certain imported right-winger made of glass).
The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*
"Those of you who volunteered to be injected praying mantis DNA, I have some good news and some bad news: bad news is we've postponed these test indefinitely. Good news is we've got a much better test for you: fighting an army of mantis men! Pick up a rifle and follow the yellow line. You'll know when the test starts."
by Evil Stanchion on Sep 26, 2011 11:22 AM PDT reply actions
Is Wingels the next Couture?
Just the thought of this makes me all tingly.
Proud member of the "Bring Back Semenov" Club
"The only crying allowed in hockey is when you lose a playoff series, retire or JR is speaking publicly." - Jamie Baker
"You are down with the homies, my friend." - Randy Hahn
If we all cared as much as Kent Huskins the world would be a better place.
"Don't fart on my chair mutha fuckah!" - Randy Hahn
Man, have a good pre-season game against a bunch of scab vets and prospects (plus human stain Lapierre), and suddenly you’re the next rookie of the year finalist….
Picklesnakebit since 2011.
@shampeon
PEANUT BUTTER BABY!
Proud member of the "Bring Back Semenov" Club
"The only crying allowed in hockey is when you lose a playoff series, retire or JR is speaking publicly." - Jamie Baker
"You are down with the homies, my friend." - Randy Hahn
If we all cared as much as Kent Huskins the world would be a better place.
"Don't fart on my chair mutha fuckah!" - Randy Hahn
by PNK on Sep 26, 2011 2:41 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
He beat the Canucks though.
Their blood is in the water!
The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*
"Those of you who volunteered to be injected praying mantis DNA, I have some good news and some bad news: bad news is we've postponed these test indefinitely. Good news is we've got a much better test for you: fighting an army of mantis men! Pick up a rifle and follow the yellow line. You'll know when the test starts."
by Evil Stanchion on Sep 26, 2011 2:56 PM PDT up reply actions
Is Wingels the next Bust?
You’re calling him names now? Oh great, you made him cry.
"Logan Couture is a dirty, filthy man. Tell all your friends" - Mr. Plank
Member of the Torrey Mitchell and Patrick Marleau Fan Club
RIP Atlanta Thrashers. Welcome to the NHL, Atlanta Thrashers of Winnipeg.
Couture? A bust?
Must be a Vancouver fan.
The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*
"Those of you who volunteered to be injected praying mantis DNA, I have some good news and some bad news: bad news is we've postponed these test indefinitely. Good news is we've got a much better test for you: fighting an army of mantis men! Pick up a rifle and follow the yellow line. You'll know when the test starts."
by Evil Stanchion on Sep 29, 2011 11:51 AM PDT up reply actions
You haven’t been round these parts long haha.
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by Matthew_Taylor on Sep 29, 2011 1:13 PM PDT up reply actions
Couture didnt win the Calder last year or the year he played 25 games.
TOTAL BUST.
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by jwizzle241 on Sep 29, 2011 3:43 PM PDT up reply actions 2 recs
Some people
don’t think Wingles can be a top 6 fwd but I think he could end up being good enough for a second line role. I wouldn’t mind seeing him try to cement a spot on the 3rd line this year. I don’t think he’d fit on the 4th but maybe. I’d like to see him play with Mitchell more.
To me, Winchester is gonna wrap up that last 4th line spot.
I’d give McGinn the first call to prove himself on the 3rd to add scoring. From there Ferriero and then Wingles. I have a feeling McGinn won’t last on the 3rd if McL is expecting more scoring out of him though. I think the biggest question is who Pav works with the best and on what line, center or wing? With maybe Havlat either moving up to the 1st or down to the 3rd. I think Ferriero and Wingles have a good chance of fitting somewhere in between there.
I for one want to see a player step up and at least become the next Seto if we can’t have a next Couture this year. It’s a long shot, but it’s what I’m hoping for.
I swear people don’t actually pay attention to this team.
Pavs will not be on the 3rd line this year. Zeus will stay on the 3rd.
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by Evilducks on Sep 26, 2011 1:18 PM PDT via iPhone app up reply actions
I was talking about
switching up the LW spot with McGinn/Ferriero/Wingles next to Handzus and Mitchell. Didn’t mention Zus cause he’s the given. I think Wingles might do well or even better then Ferriero playing the wing with Mitchell. Handzus is gonna do his thing regardless, so finding someone who pairs off well with Mitchell is what I’m (probably most are) hoping for.
These last playoffs made me think McGinn can be effective in a checking role. He got a couple late five-minute penalties, but I still want him to put hits on people in those situations and I liked seeing him play closer to the edge. Maybe that’s just the ruthless bloodlust in me talking, I don’t know.
by meetyourmako on Sep 26, 2011 11:38 PM PDT up reply actions
you guys remember lemon heads?
Movie night snacks. Alongside the yummy Junior Mints.
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by YeahTommyB4ZGermansGetThere on Sep 27, 2011 9:06 PM PDT reply actions
Didn't we play then in the western conference finals?
The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*
"Those of you who volunteered to be injected praying mantis DNA, I have some good news and some bad news: bad news is we've postponed these test indefinitely. Good news is we've got a much better test for you: fighting an army of mantis men! Pick up a rifle and follow the yellow line. You'll know when the test starts."
by Evil Stanchion on Sep 28, 2011 4:50 AM PDT up reply actions
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