So, Matt Cullen would be the topic of discussion today, and what an interesting one it should be. As we can see from my metrics of him, Matt Cullen is a player who does a few things BRILLIANTLY, and a few things TERRIBLY, with the rest being somewhere in the middle. There is really no consistency in his game, in terms of being well rounded. He’s one of those guys you use that annoying phrase “he is what he is”. And what this guy is, is an incredible speedster, with a hard and accurate shot. Hes got explosive speed, tremendous penalty killing ability, and a rather high upside. However, what Matt Cullen really isnt, is a playmaking center. Hes a player that would be far better off on the wing, but has to play center by default. The guy is definitely defensively responsible, and doesnt give up very many times, but he is just handicapped by horrendous vision and passing.

It really only takes one thing to make you realize this. The guy put up 25 assists in 80 regular season games, despite playing with guys like Prucha (22 goals, 23 projected over 82 games), Shanahan (29 goals, 35 projected over 82 games), and Callahan (4 goals, about 23 projected over 82 games). It really is mind boggling that playing with that level of talent on the wing, this guy only puts up 25 assists. In a nut shell, that is the guys main weakness. Hes playing out of position, or his talent level just isnt up to par for his position. You can overlook it during the season when he is playing with Prucha and Callahan because the guys can individually create space for each other by their speed, but during the playoffs, his lack of vision really showed as the time and space that was there during the regular season, wasnt during the playoffs. Then your passers are a huge key to winning.

Matt will be the 5th highest paid forward on the roster next year, barring unforseen signings or raises. It is appropriate that he ranks behind all the guys in front of him salary wise in points, goals, and assists. every forward getting paid more than him, has produced more than him. But is that enough to be happy? Didn’t you think you were getting more than that when you signed the guy? I sure did. I was expecting a difference maker out there. A guy who steps up when the game is on the line and nets a big goal, who puts you over the top, who goes beyond the call of duty. However I dont think we really get that with Matt.

So my thoughts on Matt this coming year are as follows. I would move him if the right deal came along, especially if he is salary going back the other way to bring elite level talent on. Matt does serve some purposes, but honesty I feel one of our kids could do the job he does, at a cheaper rate (Jarkko Immonen projects to 30 assists, 6 goals, and 36 points, pretty close to what Cullen gives you at a fraction of the price). All in all I would hope Matt can put up bigger numbers next season, as I feel this one, was a relative disappointment.

-Inferno

Posted by inferno272 on Tuesday, May 15th, 2007 at 12:25 am.