On the Forecheck
Next entry: IIHF to rule in favor of Nashville
Previous entry: Balsillie Buying the Predators, Again?
Jordin Tootoo: 2008-9 Forechecker’s Forecast
by Forechecker on 10/01/08 at 10:31 AM ET
Comments (5)
Is there a more controversial Nashville Predator than Jordin Tootoo? His penchant for dishing out big hits without apology puts him at the center of a firestorm at least a couple times each season, it seems. Unlike most other agitators around the NHL, however, Tootoo has recently developed into a more well-rounded player, and looks to provide some offensive punch to go along with his more traditional, physically aggressive fisticuffs.
Let’s take a look at Jordin’s offensive production since the lockout:
| Jordin Tootoo Production & Ice Time, Last 3 Seasons | ||||||
| GP | EV Pts/60 | PP Pts/60 | EV TOI/G | PP TOI/G | SH TOI/G | |
| 2005-06 | 34 | 1.96 | 0.00 | 9:00 | 0:14 | 0:01 |
| 2006-07 | 65 | 1.01 | 0.00 | 8:13 | 0:08 | 0:02 |
| 2007-08 | 63 | 1.77 | 0.00 | 9:40 | 0:08 | 0:05 |
Clearly, we’re not talking about a player with major ice time here, but as his game has matured, Barry Trotz has gradually increased his role on the team. This season, if Tootoo can continue doing a fine job goading opponents into taking penalties and stay out of the box himself (he was among the team leaders in Penalty Plus/Minus last year), he may well earn the opportunity to play alongside Jason Arnott or David Legwand, and could also get some power play duty as well. Jordin has a good shot and is developing a sense of where to set up while calling for the puck. One should also recall that in junior, Tootoo led his WHL team in scoring in 2001-2 and 2002-3 while piling up massive penalty minute totals as well, so it’s not like he can’t contribute offensively.
Tootoo is one of the most popular players in Nashville
Photo Courtesy Paul Nicholson
I’ve said before that huge leaps in player production are relatively rare, and require a combination of increasing player ability along with the opportunity (in terms of ice time and linemates) to put up greater numbers. If there’s one player on the Nashville Predators who is positioned to make such a leap, it would be Jordin Tootoo. Particularly in those fantasy hockey leagues that reward penalty minutes, Tootoo can be a useful late-round acquisition.
So for the official Forechecker’s Forecast…
| Forechecker’s Forecast, 2008-9 NHL Regular Season | ||||||
| Player | GP | G | A | Pts | Shots | Sht % |
| Jordin Tootoo | 70 | 16 | 20 | 36 | 130 | 12 |
Filed in: Fantasy Hockey, Nashville Predators | On the Forecheck | Permalink
Tags: Jordin+Tootoo,
Comments
I immediately thought of Avery while reading this, although he had a bit more of the verbal assualt factor in his agitative methods (on and off the ice). But he did make his mark on the scoreboard, which is why I will miss him on the Rangers.
Posted by Lucky13 from NJ on 10/01/08 at 12:04 PM ET
Tootoo is no Avery. He’s not a complete jerk and doesn’t have zero friends for starters. And he doesn’t run his mouth like Avery does. Yes, I’d hate Tootoo if he didn’t wear my team’s jersey, but he’s no Avery.
Posted by PredNeck from Hicktown on 10/01/08 at 12:08 PM ET
Tootoo is no Avery. He’s not a complete jerk…
You’re right. He’s not a jerk. He’s a punk! He ranks right up there with Chrissy Pronger and Dion Poof. If he ever decides to stop being a punk and concentrate on being a gritty, hard-nosed hockey player, I think he’ll be a solid third-liner…and maybe even a second-liner. But as long as his focus is on being a cheap-shot artist and dirty player, it won’t matter how many goals he scores. He’ll just be a punk!
Yes, I’d hate Tootoo if he didn’t wear my team’s jersey…
There are guys, like Iginla, who every team hates to play against…but who you’d love to have on your team. We had one last year in Dallas Drake. But TooToo doesn’t fall into that category. He could. But my guess is he’ll always be the guy that runs people from behind and cheap-shots them after the play is dead.
Posted by OlderThanChelios from Grand Rapids on 10/01/08 at 12:47 PM ET
But my guess is he’ll always be the guy that runs people from behind and cheap-shots them after the play is dead.
As a fan of the ultimate cheap shot artist, Chelios, you are throwing stones in a glass house.
Toots hits hard, can back it up, and it p***** off the other team, kinda like what he is supposed to do. He has had a couple of questionable hits, but the vast majority of the hits are completely legal. Many times the opponent sees him coming and turns their back to him after he has commited. But hey if Modano can swing his stick at him and make contact, fortunately he is a lousy shot or it would have been in the head, and get nothing for it, it must just be Tootoo’s fault, like everything else.
Grow up people, Hockey is a hard game, not for the pansy asses that harp about hard hits and fighting.
Posted by Big Bear from The Boro on 10/03/08 at 06:07 PM ET
Add a Comment
Please limit embedded image or media size to 575 pixels wide.
Add your own avatar by joining Kukla's Korner, or logging in and uploading one in your member control panel.
Captchas bug you? Join KK or log in and you won't have to bother.
Commenting is not available in this weblog entry.
Most Recent Blog Posts
A pivotal Predators prospect: Colin Wilson
Canadian hockey team on the road to Nashville
Two recreational hockey players die on same night, at same rink
Calgary investor Brett Wilson to buy stake in the Nashville Predators
Preds enjoy a command performance
To buy or not to buy? That is the question…
About Kukla’s Korner
Kukla’s Korner is updated around the clock with the work of our own talented bloggers, plus links to the best hockey writing around the internet. We strive to bring you all the breaking hockey news as it happens.
The home page allows you to see the latest postings from every blog on the site. Subscribe here. For general inquiries and more, please contact us anytime.
Get the top online sports betting bonuses available to sports betters!
When learning from experts it’s best to learn personally from them, or from their blog. We can provide that with poker lessons blog, your home to learn poker personally.
Do you get shocked from the luck in the game of poker? Stop getting shocked and start being a Poker Shoker.
As well as reading about hockey games, you can also find info about poker like which poker sites accept American Express or which are the best Canadian poker sites and also find the top rakeback sites at rakeback.net.
Kukla’s Korner is always a free service for readers, but it costs some money to maintain. If you’re ever in a position to donate a few dollars to help out, we’d be very appreciative.
Wondering if Preds fans would be happy if TooToo turned into a player like Avery? A little more offense which would probably mean more ice time too.
Posted by Paul from Motown Area on 10/01/08 at 10:39 AM ET