Lacho Re-Signs

[Shaggy]

What so many people seem to forget is that there's more to this game than just judging players on how many points they rack up.
Lacho's points production HAS been disappointing, no question... but that's not his primary role. He's mainly a supporting player who is there to chip in with goals here and there (a few of which have been absolute beauties). He's a PK specialist, a forechecker, a set-up man, etc... no, he's not the absolute greatest thing ever since <insert name of hockey hero> but he's nowhere near as bad as some are making out. Just because he doesn't head the scoring charts doesn't mean he's useless. As I recall, he was involved in the set-up for the OT winner in the CC Final up in Sheffield, for a start.

Yes, he could do with stepping things up a bit... but whilst this is certainly not the greatest re-signing ever, it's far from as bad as some seem to think.

[pantherdman]

Was always going to happen as we don't have the balls to go and poach a top Brit from one of our rivals.
I hope he rediscovers his form of a few years back.
Please get rid of the import limit.

[dill1015]

I think (though i might be wrong) that Lacho had the worst +/- stats on the team last year. That doesnt surprise me at all. Yes hes good in his own end and is a useful penalty killer. However the reason his +/- is so poor is because Panthers dont score when hes on the ice.

He was so ineffective going forward last year. Its frustrating because you know what he's capable of. But he needs a big kick up the backside next season to win me over. He scored less than half of the points i would expect from him last season.

[Gilly]

Same story as this time last year. "Lacho has been poor but we know what he can do and we've had a chat and blah blah blah"

The only thing saving him is the fact he's a Brit. He has been underwhelming for 2 years now - no import would be given 2 years grace.

what doesn't help him is the fact even I could defend what he's going to do each time he comes down the wing. Where are these silky hands and "most skilled player" tags coming from because i certainly dont see it? Skate down the left, wait for RW to hit the back post, pass cross crease and inevitably gets intercepted, far too predictable.

Certainly has a lot of work to do

[Bagheera]

I fully understand the role of the defensive forward and the role player but he didn't just have a bad season because of points. Actually he is good on the PK but that was pretty much it.
He was pretty much a guarenteed turnover for a large chunk of the season. It felt like every time he had the puck in the offensive zone within seconds the puck was going the other way. To the point where it became a bit of a joke to say, "oh Lachos on the puck here comes a turnover". Sadly that happened 8 out of 10 times.
Maybe he should be used like Randall was in his twighlight years, warm the bench and only do the PK dutties. Not worth the wages.

Why do people need to assume that because people don't agree with them that they don't understand hockey as much and that it's not all about points. Plenty know that and have seen enough hockey to see a hockey player out of form/playing badly(granted some don't).

[Shorty]

May 6, 2016 7:58:52 GMT Bagheera said:

He was pretty much a guarenteed turnover for a large chunk of the season. It felt like every time he had the puck in the offensive zone within seconds the puck was going the other way. To the point where it became a bit of a joke to say, "oh Lachos on the puck here comes a turnover". Sadly that happened 8 out of 10 times.

Losing the puck 80% of the time is a bit ridiculous to suggest.

He is probably the most likely player to take the puck off an opposition player.

[Bagheera]

May 6, 2016 8:05:43 GMT Shorty said:

May 6, 2016 7:58:52 GMT Bagheera said:

He was pretty much a guarenteed turnover for a large chunk of the season. It felt like every time he had the puck in the offensive zone within seconds the puck was going the other way. To the point where it became a bit of a joke to say, "oh Lachos on the puck here comes a turnover". Sadly that happened 8 out of 10 times.

Losing the puck 80% of the time is a bit ridiculous to suggest.

He is probably the most likely player to take the puck off an opposition player.

You may think it's ridiculous. I think it's near reality.

However I will admit as I genuinely forgot to finish off my post propperly. I thought he had a significantly better finish to the season and thought he may be starting to get back on track. If he continues to go on the upward trend i'll be happy enough. As I said in my first post on the thread. Hopefully he can recapture his best form.
Loved the guy for many years. I just don't let history tint my opinion of the here and now.

[PantherB]

I wouldn't call someone who gets 14 Assists in 64 games a 'set up player'. He's good on the PK for sure but i wouldn't say he does anything other players wouldn't be able to. We can't have a player who is good for one role only, especially a role which we should be minimising. He rarely shoots too, he's far too selfless and it costs us. It's as if he's seen how Ling found passes, and wants to do the same but lacks the confidence to do so.

Geoff Waugh scored more goals and the same assists, yet missed a few weeks. Swindlehurst was only 3 points behind! I understand his defensive roles but i cannot for the life of me, accept how it's taken 2 years for him to go from 60pts to 19pts. 19pts and good on the PK.. Switch him with Betteridge because given the amount of time Lachowicz gets i think Betteridge would put him to shame on the scoreboard, much more offensive and gritty and he has a good shot. If it turns out that Betteridge doesn't return and Lachowicz's re-signing was basically the deciding factor.. I and many, many others will not be happy.

[dill1015]

May 6, 2016 9:47:03 GMT PantherB said:

I wouldn't call someone who gets 14 Assists in 64 games a 'set up player'. He's good on the PK for sure but i wouldn't say he does anything other players wouldn't be able to. We can't have a player who is good for one role only, especially a role which we should be minimising. He rarely shoots too, he's far too selfless and it costs us. It's as if he's seen how Ling found passes, and wants to do the same but lacks the confidence to do so.

Geoff Waugh scored more goals and the same assists, yet missed a few weeks. Swindlehurst was only 3 points behind! I understand his defensive roles but i cannot for the life of me, accept how it's taken 2 years for him to go from 60pts to 19pts. 19pts and good on the PK.. Switch him with Betteridge because given the amount of time Lachowicz gets i think Betteridge would put him to shame on the scoreboard, much more offensive and gritty and he has a good shot. If it turns out that Betteridge doesn't return and Lachowicz's re-signing was basically the deciding factor.. I and many, many others will not be happy.

Spot on. 1/3 points productiin is just not good enough. He needs to up his game considerably imo.

[Lawman]

Very pleased Lacho is back next season I just hope we see an improvement in his attacking game and a few more points next to his name

[Ghost]

May 6, 2016 8:05:43 GMT Shorty said:

May 6, 2016 7:58:52 GMT Bagheera said:

He was pretty much a guarenteed turnover for a large chunk of the season. It felt like every time he had the puck in the offensive zone within seconds the puck was going the other way. To the point where it became a bit of a joke to say, "oh Lachos on the puck here comes a turnover". Sadly that happened 8 out of 10 times.

Losing the puck 80% of the time is a bit ridiculous to suggest.

He is probably the most likely player to take the puck off an opposition player.

Maybe 3/4 years ago. No chance now.

[wildwood]

May 6, 2016 9:47:03 GMT PantherB said:

I wouldn't call someone who gets 14 Assists in 64 games a 'set up player'. He's good on the PK for sure but i wouldn't say he does anything other players wouldn't be able to. We can't have a player who is good for one role only, especially a role which we should be minimising. He rarely shoots too, he's far too selfless and it costs us. It's as if he's seen how Ling found passes, and wants to do the same but lacks the confidence to do so.

Nailed it! Perhaps lacks confidence in himself ... lost a bit of pace(?) ... pass-away rather than go high ... definitely shies away from the physical aspect of the game. In this league, he's only going to get marginalised if the trend of play continues. I have to confess I thought the EPL was calling this next season ... & he would do okay!

[Kovalchuk17]

His main issue was the lack of effort. I, like pretty much every other Panthers fan, love a plucky Brit... The raw enthusiasm and determination of players such as Boxill and Levers is what British ice hockey is all about.

Lacho however is the opposite. He's too comfortable in his position. You could watch him every game give away goals, choke up pucks and forget the back-check (yes I said it for all those who still thinks he regularly robs players post 2014), but still come out shift after shift. Corey tried him with every known combination of line-mates last year and Lacho didn't click with any of them.

Unlike every other British player I can currently think of in the EIHL, he enters corners with a box of eggs in his pockets with aspirations of a decent omelette after the game.

The fact is Lacho is the most talented Brit on the Panthers roster, like a British Johnny Gaudreau he could be playing in a top Euro league on talent only. For mental attributes he should be in the EPL.

[dill1015]

May 6, 2016 19:59:43 GMT Kovalchuk17 said:

His main issue was the lack of effort. I, like pretty much every other Panthers fan, love a plucky Brit... The raw enthusiasm and determination of players such as Boxill and Levers is what British ice hockey is all about.

Lacho however is the opposite. He's too comfortable in his position. You could watch him every game give away goals, choke up pucks and forget the back-check (yes I said it for all those who still thinks he regularly robs players post 2014), but still come out shift after shift. Corey tried him with every known combination of line-mates last year and Lacho didn't click with any of them.

Unlike every other British player I can currently think of in the EIHL, he enters corners with a box of eggs in his pockets with aspirations of a decent omelette after the game.

The fact is Lacho is the most talented Brit on the Panthers roster, like a British Johnny Gaudreau he could be playing in a top Euro league on talent only. For mental attributes he should be in the EPL.

Thats abit harsh on the EPL.

[NickThePanther44]

Lachowicz got nineteen points including five goals last season. Ryan Shmyr got twenty five points including six goals in his first season with us. Yes, the offensive powerhouse that was Ryan Shmyr. I hope he appreciates that British citizenship of his as it's the only thing that's saved his bacon.

[nate24]

May 5, 2016 23:48:44 GMT Shaggy said:

What so many people seem to forget is that there's more to this game than just judging players on how many points they rack up.
Lacho's points production HAS been disappointing, no question... but that's not his primary role. He's mainly a supporting player who is there to chip in with goals here and there (a few of which have been absolute beauties). He's a PK specialist, a forechecker, a set-up man, etc... no, he's not the absolute greatest thing ever since <insert name of hockey hero> but he's nowhere near as bad as some are making out. Just because he doesn't head the scoring charts doesn't mean he's useless. As I recall, he was involved in the set-up for the OT winner in the CC Final up in Sheffield, for a start.

Yes, he could do with stepping things up a bit... but whilst this is certainly not the greatest re-signing ever, it's far from as bad as some seem to think.

He's not bad, he's lazy. I'd rather a bad player that tried than a lazy player that won't as it is less frustrating.

Yeah he set up the OT winner but how many games were lost when he failed to show up? Not entirely his fault but his failure to give a crap puts him in the cross hairs.