TML fan said:
Yeah but Smith is playing well. He shouldn't be bumped because Peter effing Holland is Peter effing Holland. Say what you want about McClement but he's paid his dues both on this team and in this league. He's being rewarded for that. Holland has to earn his ice time. He just so happened to get traded to a team with a coach who doesn't use his 4th line.
As long as Smith keeps playing well, Holland is on the 4th line. He has to make the most of it.
He should bump McClement. Just because you've "paid your dues" shouldn't mean that a player should get more minutes than they are useful in. Holland's skillset isn't a 4th line, 5-6 minute skillset, whereas McClement is better in smaller doses because he brings no offensive production whatsoever. He can get his 5:00 at ES and 4:00ish more on the PK per night and that would be fine - but what good is Holland on the 4th line? Sure, Holland on the 4th line is much better than what they've been throwing out there, but it pretty much wastes his offensive skill if they keep him on the 4th line.
I don't care if the 4th line chips in more than a few points, just want to see competent players on that line. Having said that, while Holland is a competent player, the team needs offense and if he stays on the 4th line it's wasted for both him and McClement.