Tony Dean: With Ducks on Deck Yeo's Club Must Show Ability to Punch Back With Ducks on Deck Yeo's Club Must Show Ability to Punch Back

You can find me on Twitter here: @TonyDeanHB

I hope we pull it off Tony, but unfortunately I see this as being a 4-0 collapse.

4th Line is completely punchless. How did Haula become such a non factor?

3 zip Minney for the shoutout win

4th Line is completely punchless. How did Haula become such a non factor?
- MnGump

I think he's miscast there. Yeo's trying to make him play a grinding, physical style which are not his strengths. He needs to play with more skilled players that can play fast to take advantage of his strengths. I just don't see him getting that opportunity here in Minnesota.

4th Line is completely punchless. How did Haula become such a non factor?
- MnGump

when was he a factor? he's never produced consistently. was terrible at defense gotten better this year so far. what do u expect from a 4th line?? 30 goal scorer??

I think he's miscast there. Yeo's trying to make him play a grinding, physical style which are not his strengths. He needs to play with more skilled players that can play fast to take advantage of his strengths. I just don't see him getting that opportunity here in Minnesota.
- Chinaski

I don't think anyone expects Haula to play a physical game, especially Yeo. Two years ago, it became apparent that Haula had game-changing speed, able to stay in front of his mark and able to back-check fast enough to disrupt a developing play.

But last year and so far this year, he has been maybe the eighth fastest guy on the Wild. When he's on the ice, he looks as if he'd rather be elsewhere doing something else and not giving the effort the rest of the team is. What's the justification of moving him up to a different line if he doesn't even take advantage of his strengths now?

when was he a factor? he's never produced consistently. was terrible at defense gotten better this year so far. what do u expect from a 4th line?? 30 goal scorer??
- gopherwildfan

Well, actually Haula was a big factor in his rookie season especially in the post season and so was the 4th line last season. Although your question doesn't really merit a response, I'll humor you by saying Yes, I expect scoring on all lines... Especially the 4th if this team is going to make a legitimate cup run.

I don't think anyone expects Haula to play a physical game, especially Yeo. Two years ago, it became apparent that Haula had game-changing speed, able to stay in front of his mark and able to back-check fast enough to disrupt a developing play.

But last year and so far this year, he has been maybe the eighth fastest guy on the Wild. When he's on the ice, he looks as if he'd rather be elsewhere doing something else and not giving the effort the rest of the team is. What's the justification of moving him up to a different line if he doesn't even take advantage of his strengths now?
- deslni01

That line just doesn't have the puck that much. Haula can't necessarily use his speed and puckhandling ability if they are spending most of their time defending or they're just chasing it into the offensive zone to try to forecheck. As the center, I believe he is supposed to stay higher in the zone and the wingers are supposed to be the first forecheckers in, but I can't really say for sure that the center isn't given license to be the first forechecker, so that's just speculating on my part.

Two years ago, when Granlund got hurt at the end of the year and Haula largely replaced him, he was almost a point per game player. I could be wrong, I just think if he played with some of the faster skaters and better offensive guys we might see more from him - speed and playmaking.