When Denis Grebeshkov returns, should the Nashville Predators scratch Kevin Klein?
Yesterday I asked the question on Twitter - with the impending return of defenseman Denis Grebeshkov (who has resumed skating), should Cody Franson keep his lineup spot over Kevin Klein? Today I thought I'd look at the subject a bit further. Klein was just signed to a 3-year extension, but has arguably regressed, while Franson has performed above and beyond expectations in the situations Barry Trotz has placed him in.
Continue below for more, and let us know your opinion in the comments...
In this corner, standing 6'1 from Kitchener, Ontario...
There's no question that Klein is a talented player, but this season has been a rough ride. He has the lowest +/- on the team (in contrast to Franson, who has the highest), and it seems as if he's out there for most bad goals against. I understand that Coach Trotz plays him against the toughest competition, but for someone who David Poile recently entrusted with a contract extension, the Predators need more out of him. It would be one thing if he contributed more on offense, but no dice. The majority of Klein's problems tend to stem from either a) getting caught out of position and overcompensating or b) attempting to play the puck instead of the body. Though he spent most of the season paired with Dan Hamhuis, he's been playing with Francis Bouillon the last handful of games and to his credit, has performed better.
In the other corner, at 6'4, from Salmon Arm, British Columbia...
If it weren't for Colin Wilson and Patric Hornqvist, Cody Franson would be running away with the most surprising player mantle for the Predators. One wonders if he had played played all year, instead of bouncing back and forth from the AHL, if he would be in consideration for the Calder Trophy. As it stands, he's played well and even above his head in many games. Franson (currently nickname-less, which needs to be remedied) has proven capable of running an effective NHL power play, and is never shy of pulling the trigger on his big shot. In the limited high-pressure defensive situations he's been placed in, Franson has been up to the task. He's shown good adaptability when it comes to defensive partners, having played with multiple players over the course of the year.
The downside to going with Franson, however, is his relative inexperience. It would be one thing if the incoming defender was Greg Zanon, but its another player with a tendency to pinch down somewhat excessively and try to make a play in the offensive zone. Shea Weber, Ryan Suter, Denis Grebeshkov, Cody Franson, and to some extent Francis Bouillon are not afraid to jump into the play, which makes it more important to have a stay-at-home player like Klein in the lineup.
Conclusion
Its an interesting conundrum. On the one hand you have the inconsistent play of Klein, who plays a more lock-down style, and on the other hand you have the consistent play of Franson, who is still somewhat raw and seems to be offensively gifted. When Denis Grebeshkov returns, what would you do if you were Barry Trotz?
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This is a tough one.....
- Klein has been inconsistent, but shows flashes of what his game could be from time to time, his game has improved a bit since being paired with Boullon, I agree that we need at least one good “stay at home” defenseman. I’m not counting him out just yet.
- Franson on the other hand is still a bit green, but looks great out there. I like his size and reach, definitely more intimidating than Klein. He also has a better slapshot. Tough choice, glad I’m not Barry Trotz, but Franson gets my vote.
by hockeydekefreak on Mar 24, 2010 9:51 AM EDT reply actions
I’ve always had a hard time pinning down anything that Klein does particularly well. Maybe I’m missing something but to me it seems like there noteworthy things with most of the other D-men’s games:
Weber: Physical game, huge shot
Suter: good skating, joins the rush (too much last night), good poke checks
Bouillon: Big hits, good skating
Hamhuis: Hip checks (sometimes), shots from the point (that always get blocked)
Grebeshkov: Bad pinches? Haven’t seen enough of him to really know.
Franson: Good reach, shooting, size
Klein doesn’t make any flashy plays so we focus on his screwups. I think I voted for Franson but I say maybe rotate them and keep Klein away from Hamhuis.
Crap
I answered the poll question wrong. It’s phrased differently than the headline.
If I hit a hole-in-one on this grand slam the dominoes will fall like a house of cards. Checkmate.
by jasonkylebates on Mar 24, 2010 12:03 PM EDT reply actions
heh
You’re not the first; my bad. I write headlines like the Tennessean.
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by Chris Burton on Mar 24, 2010 12:21 PM EDT up reply actions
Franny, to be sure
I can’t believe there’s even a competition here. Franson adds size and unprecedented poise. If anyone has made the most of their opportunity of joining the big club for the first time this year, it’s Hornqvist…but Franson beats whoever is second.
Klein is a liability for this team. He is fast, and has shown flashes of offensive brilliance in different stints with Nashville over the past two years, but his stats speak for themselves. Klein struggles to play the game like Bambi struggles to stay up on all fours on ice.
love the bambi comparison
btw, since when is Klein considered a “stay at home” defenseman. His lack of scoring does not make him a “stay at home” guy. I have seen Klein jump into the play as often as Hamhuis and Weber. Difference is they get back in position. Franson is more of a “stay at home” defenseman and has a better shot that gets blocked a lot less, which is why I voted for him.
i like
Franny, shows promise. never have been too impressed with klein.
No Brainer
Most of Klien’s problems stem from weak play in and around the net. He tends to play with his stick too much (Hacking at the pucks) behind the net, rather than getting in there and taking the body. During the third period of the Wings game last saturday, he did have one good shift late in the game, where he came around behind his own net and really layed into a red wing forward, which ended a red wings scoring chance before it could get started. I looked over to my friend and said “There’s the play we’ve been waiting for Kliener.” However, I’m affraid that we only get glimpses of that side of Klien. Maybe he needs to spend some time in Milwaukee, taking on some AHL goons to toughen him up. He just isn’t mean enough, which makes him easy to push off the puck. How many time is klien standing around the front of the net when goals are being scored. Standing around the net and moving bodies from the front of the net are two different things, and until Klien realizes that, he will never be a reliable option as a nhl blueliner.
Cody Franson isn’t much more of a physical threat (YET), mostly because of his inexperience, but his god give talent makes up for all of that. He has good hands and a great shot, and frankly isn’t affraid to take big shots and make things happen.
Klien plays too much inside a box, he needs to let loose and throw his body around some more. Until then, he’s just a boy playing a man’s sport.
Franson is by far the better option here. I think the best thing for everyone is some time in the AHL (maybe a week) for Klien to motivate him before a playoff push. LIke the line from the move dodgeball, “you’ve got to get mean!”
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