[A] Player Evaluation: Dave Bolland

[Shantz My Pants]

When giving out hockey nicknames, you usually shorten a teammate’s last name, or add “er” or a “y” at the end such as Buff, Kaner, Tazer, Khabby and shitty (the last one was used for anyone drafted in the 1[sup]st[/sup] round by the Hawks from 1989-2000). Some guys though get nicknames that define them by their appearance (Pretty boy for Modano or Big Buff for Byfuglien) or playing style (The Dominator for Hasek or shitty again for any Blackhawks 1[sup]st[/sup] round draft pick from 1989-2000). For Dave Bolland, his nickname of the “Rat” fits into both categories.



The original “Rat” was a center by the name of Ken Linseman. Linseman made a career in the NHL back in the 80’s and early 90’s by being an agitating two-way center. Not only was Linseman physical and could grind you down with physical and mental play, he also had skill and could beat you on the score board as well ( he had one season of 92 points with 275 PIMs). Most people would just assume the nickname of “The Rat” is an insult, but for Dave Bolland, outside of looking a bit like a rat, his style of play pretty much fits the bill.



Dave Bolland is what most teams would consider the “ideal” 3[sup]rd[/sup] line center. His attention to detail in the defensive zone is the best part of his game. Playing center in the NHL is a demanding job, and when you are tasked with shutting down the oppositions best skaters, it makes the job obviously 10x harder. For Bolland though, that’s pretty much just a regular night. Adding in the fact that he is annoying and pretty much an asshole to play against helps solidify his reputation as “The Rat”. Just ask the Sedins how they feel about Bolland and his stick work. But it doesn’t just stop there for Bolland. While also playing on the PK and taking a lot of key face offs, Bolland has some offensive skill that some believe is still untapped. Putting up 3 seasons of 30+ points can give that type of impression off. Also getting time on the Hawks 2[sup]nd[/sup] power play line and some shifts as the 1[sup]st[/sup] unit’s power play QB this past season could bump his offensive totals up too.



With the Hawks going into the 2012-2013 lockout season without a 2[sup]nd[/sup] line center (besides Sharp) many fans question why Bolland doesn’t get a chance to move up. Does he deserve it? Sure. But why take away arguably one of the best 3[sup]rd[/sup] line centers in the league and put him on the 2[sup]nd[/sup] line where he loses some value? Sure he could still be matched up with the other team’s top line, but then that takes away from his wingers as his attention isn’t all there offensively. A 2[sup]nd[/sup] line center needs to be good both offensively and defensively, but in this case, Bolland is too good defensively and does so well shutting down players to be put in the role of 2[sup]nd[/sup] line center. Hence why Quenneville hasn’t ever placed him on the 2[sup]nd[/sup] line as he knows the value he would lose if he were to do that.



In terms of this upcoming season I don’t really expect Bolland to do anything outside of his career norm. Coming into this year with 5 seasons under his belt and being in the “prime” of his career, I just want him to have a repeat of last year and to stay healthy as he’s going to be playing in a lot of key situations. His wingers may juggle around a bit, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see him playing with Andrew Shaw, Stalberg or maybe even Frolik again. Whoever it is though doesn’t matter as “The Rat” has one job and he does it quite well.



PREDICTION: 76 GAMES PLAYED | 13 GOALS | 22 ASSISTS | 35 POINTS | PLUS-5



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[Ton]

Nice, this was a fun one to read.



I think 13 goals is selling his finishing ability short. I'd like to finally see him hit 20 this year, especially if he plays 76 games.



Obviously, I am one of those people that think his offensive potential is still there. I do agree with his defensive play though.

 

[LordKOTL]

I think a lot of Bolland's game is going to ride with who he's saddled with. +5 is possible, but if he's paired with Bickell and Frolik those +/- numbers will take a fall. Shaw is a bit more promising on the right unless he has a Soph. Slump comparable to Leddy or Crawford. Still, +/- wise he's not with Ladd and Havlat anymore. He's capable of carrying players even though his numbers will likley suffer because of it.



Goal-wise I could see him hitting 20 not a problem, especially if he posts more shorties.



As for 2nd v 3rd line, a question that always needs to be asked when you consider a switch/swap in personnel is "is the hole I'm creating larger or smaller than the one i'm filling?"



When looking at Bolland as a #2C, His numbers when playing opposite of Hossa and Sharp/Stalberg/whomever should rise. Probably not enough to equal a Kane/Sharp at center (mid-high 20G) there but they should rise. A trio of Sharp/Bolland/Hossa would be awesome in 2-ay play. HOWEVER, what does that leave for the 3rd line? Kruger centering Bickell and Frolik/Shaw? That scares me. Kruger is nowhere near the level where he could cary a line, much less a line which, with Bolland, you'd be comfortable with them shutting down a line of Perry/Getzlaf/Ryan.



IMHO even slotting Kruger as #2C, it's a smaller hole than the gap left at #3C if Bolland moves up.

 

[sniper]

i agree that bolland needs to be the 3rd center this year, but should still receive top 6 minutes. kruger at 2 scares me, i think the kid has potential but as a 3rd liner at best.

 

[LordKOTL]

i agree that bolland needs to be the 3rd center this year, but should still receive top 6 minutes. kruger at 2 scares me, i think the kid has potential but as a 3rd liner at best.

I generally agree. I think when it comes to Bolland and the 3rd line the litimus of that line CAN NOT be secondary scoring, but rather the mount of goals it allows the opposition. That being said, having the 3rd line out there for 2nd line minutes certainly couldn't hurt what with the problems we had in keeping the puck out of the net. Anything scored should be icing on the cake, and if Bickell/Bolland/Shaw or Bickell/Bolland/Frolik get going in that mindset, it should pay off by easing the pressure on the blueliners and by proxy, the netminder.



As for Kruger, He at 2 scares me a hell of a lot less than he at 3. At least on line 2, he will have Hossa and possibly Sharp as well on his wings, and both can carry him. Him on the 3rd line? He can't carry anyone, Bickell can't carry anyone, Shaw/posibly Stalberg is too green, and Frolik and Olesz probably couldn't carry him and Bickell. Kruger IMHO is a misfit in the lineup--he's not large enough to play the 4th line, is nowhere near ready to play the 2nd or 3rd lines, but doesn't really suck bad enough to warrant kicking him of the roster.



But back to Bolland: I think his next step is going to be the ability to roll with whomever is on his line and maintain on the good side of the +/-. I think it's safe to say he'll be seeing a lot of Bickell, but Shaw, Frolik, Bollig, Mayers, and hell maybe even Beach might see some time with him and he'll need to be able to step up and play the "vet" and elevate their games at least on the defensive aspect.

 

[the canadian dream]

I am beginning to attach myself to the camp that believes Bolland should remain as a 3rd line center. Only reason I thought he would make a good second line center is for the reasons mentioned regarding his untapped offensive abilities. But the arguments for him to remain as a 3rd line center are pretty hard to ignore. He is built for that position and does do the job well. Not sure if Bolland is a guy that makes those around him overly better and I do think he needs enormous help from his wing men to get the best out of him. Thus the problem with the 3rd line the last 2 seasons. I don't think the org has put enough stock in just how important the 3rd line is. Perhaps it's unfair to point the fingers at the org for this though. I think guys like Bickell (although I still think the potential is there with him..crazy thought?), Frolik etc etc just haven't lived up to their capabilities. At points it's been as if Bolland is carrying that 3rd line...just not sure if he is the type of player that can do that...not many are. He needs better support on his wings.



Bollands a personal fav of mine. I'm with you Trev as long as Bolly keeps his numbers and game consistant I'm happy. It's strange I don't put as much pressure on Bolland as I do the others on this team. I give Bolland a lot of passes as a fan when he is struggling or making mistakes. Strange thing is I also don't get as excited when he scores or makes a great play as I do with the other players.

 

[Ton]

I think he is the type of guy that makes those around him better, simply because he is in a role that demands so much from him. Look at what he has done with guys like Bickell and Frolik then imagine what he would look like with Sharp and Hossa. Any NHLer needs quality players to produce, Bickell and Frolik are fringe players at best IMO.



If he was with Sharp and Hossa, his responsibilities would be limited and I think you'd see a situation where all of them can feed off each other. Bolland is creative offensively, he just doesn't get to show it very often.

 

[supraman]

Let me ask you this, Do you want an AHL quality 2nd line center playing on the hawks 2nd line or Dave Bolland? Because Kruger is AHL quality, Not good enough for 2nd or 3rd line and too small for 4th line.



Until we get a real 2nd line C Bolly should get the promotion because he will inject much needed offense into the 2nd line. Less you want to demote sharp and hossa to 3rd line to give bolly some wingers that dont fucking blow

 

[R K]

I want Sharp as the 2nd line Center. You know, the guy that won the Cup there. I want Bolland to be the "checking line" 3rd Center, because that's what he does best. He agitates the other top lines so much they HATE playing against him.



I also think you are selling Kruger short, he's a lot better than AHL, just not fit for the 4th line and with Sharp-Bolland ast 2-3 we don't have a spot for him.

 

[supraman]

I want Sharp as the 2nd line Center. You know, the guy that won the Cup there. I want Bolland to be the "checking line" 3rd Center, because that's what he does best. He agitates the other top lines so much they HATE playing against him.



I also think you are selling Kruger short, he's a lot better than AHL, just not fit for the 4th line and with Sharp-Bolland ast 2-3 we don't have a spot for him.

He's good enough to be 4th line C but lacks the size. Ergo AHLer.

 

[Ton]

Burish and Madden weren't exactly the biggest guys either.

 

[R K]

Burish and Madden weren't exactly the biggest guys either.

But they were tougher. I don't think he's a good 4th line Center candidate. Not enough grit. IMO size has very little do to with that.

 

[supraman]

Burish and Madden weren't exactly the biggest guys either.

Okay I'll reword, he's eurosoft fabric softener. Burish played with some edge. Madden...Madden is an awesome player that if we didn't have Dave at 3rd line he woulda anchored our 3rd line

 

[R K]

Toews-Sharp-Bolland------Mayers....

 

[LordKOTL]

Let me ask you this, Do you want an AHL quality 2nd line center playing on the hawks 2nd line or Dave Bolland? Because Kruger is AHL quality, Not good enough for 2nd or 3rd line and too small for 4th line.



Until we get a real 2nd line C Bolly should get the promotion because he will inject much needed offense into the 2nd line. Less you want to demote sharp and hossa to 3rd line to give bolly some wingers that dont fucking blow

Putting Kruger on the 3rd line, or any other "center" in our system (with the possible exception of Toews and in that instance he would be misused graver than a Darwin Award candidate misuses a cigarette lighter), creates a gaping hole bigger than goatse.cx on the 3rd line--whihc is much bigger than the hole currently on the 2nd line. We would go from having one of the better checking/shutdown lines in the league to probably one of the worst. It's just not smart utilization.

Toews-Sharp-Bolland------Mayers....

Pretty much.

 

[supraman]

Putting Kruger on the 3rd line, or any other "center" in our system (with the possible exception of Toews and in that instance he would be misused graver than a Darwin Award candidate misuses a cigarette lighter), creates a gaping hole bigger than goatse.cx on the 3rd line--whihc is much bigger than the hole currently on the 2nd line. We would go from having one of the better checking/shutdown lines in the league to probably one of the worst. It's just not smart utilization.



Pretty much.

So it is cool to have an under performing 2nd line?

 

[LordKOTL]

With an Underperforming 2nd line we managed to make top-6 in scoring last year.



We were also near the bottom in defense.



Moving one of our top defensive forwards out of a defensive role and into an offensive role (even though we know he's capable of it), puts a bigger hole in the already gaping defense. What performance improvenent the 2nd line would have from Bolland getting moved there would most likley be negated by the lack of defensive performace by not having Bolland on the 3rd line. We'd be going from an underperforming 2nd line to an abyssimal 3rd line. We'd be robbing Peter to pay Paul.

 

[supraman]

With an Underperforming 2nd line we managed to make top-6 in scoring last year.



We were also near the bottom in defense.



Moving one of our top defensive forwards out of a defensive role and into an offensive role (even though we know he's capable of it), puts a bigger hole in the already gaping defense. What performance improvenent the 2nd line would have from Bolland getting moved there would most likley be negated by the lack of defensive performace by not having Bolland on the 3rd line. We'd be going from an underperforming 2nd line to an abyssimal 3rd line. We'd be robbing Peter to pay Paul.

If our D is so terrible, **** it out score'em and the hell with D.

 

[LordKOTL]

'cause that worked well last year--especially in game 6 of the playoffs.

 

[supraman]

'cause that worked well last year--especially in game 6 of the playoffs.

we forgot the scoring part