Two-Line Pass: Can Cody Keep It Up?
To: Richard Loat
From: Christopher Golden
Date: Oct 17, 2011 at 8:50 PM
Hey Richard,
So how about that Hodgson kid?
I know he hasn’t always been a favourite of yours, yet I’m sure you’d even have to admit that he’s begun to look a little better than seasons past. Cody’s been averaging a solid 20 shifts per game during this short span, which translates into approximately 14 – 15mins a game – of that just over two minutes a game on the power play. And with Ryan Kesler coming back into the fray against the Rangers, we’re seeing Hodgson move over to the wing and Marco Sturm being the odd man out.
Is this something you could have predicted so early on?
C.
To: Christopher Golden
From: Richard Loat
Date: Oct 17, 2011 at 9:43 PM
We knew that Hodgson was going to get a chance this year with Kesler out. He has. With Kesler returning I’m rather interested to see how that impacts Hodgson’s time. Firstly Kesler gets back on the PP, and secondly, he gets to center Higgins and Hodgson.
Now Hodgson’s off to a great start, sure, but it’s only 4 games. That’s like claiming the Leafs would win the Stanley Cup after last year’s 4-0 start. We all saw what happened there. Hodgson’s off to a good start because Higgins is also looking good. I’m sure if you throw Kesler on there he’ll boost Hodgson’s numbers even more because that’s what Kesler does. That said, I’m still not convinced. Management have given Hodgson chances. In my mind, this is towards the tail end of those chances.
Could I have predicted this start? I could have. Would I have? Probably not. Does he look good? Sure. Anyone can look like a rockstar for four games. Ask Fabian Brunnstrom. But I want to see him do this for longer and with more consistency. Lets see how he looks 15 games into the season, 25. Then we can draw some conclusions.
To: Richard Loat
From: Christopher Golden
Date: Oct 17, 2011 at 10:06 PM
What are you trying to tell me? The plans for the Leafs Stanley Cup parade route should likely be shelved? But they’ve won 4 games and got a loser point against Colorado!
True enough, it’s early. But considering what we’ve seen in the preseason, and what we have been seeing early in the season, I’m led to believe that Cody understands the opportunity he has and is doing what he can to seize it by the horns. Arguably he’s had the most jump – even in the loss against the Red Wings Hodgson stood out from the rest. And although Kesler back to the powerplay could mean less time for Hodgson, it’s not like he saw a significant number one unit ice-time. So he’ll still get chances.
When I look at the lineup, I’m okay with Cody getting second line icetime with Kesler and Higgins. What I’m most interested in is whether or not he can take the transition to another position well and what he does while he’s there. In fact, I’m reminded of another young player of the Canucks that was once asked to play a different position for the sake of the team and did quite well. What was his name again? Trevor something?
Hmm.. I guess I’m just getting old.
C.
