oldnews
Members-
Posts
53,830 -
Joined
-
Days Won
186
Content Type
Profiles
Forums
Events
Blogs
Gallery
Everything posted by oldnews
-
I agree with you that it's too early to 'give up' on Goldobin. But I also think that it's not going to get an easier for him to earn minutes here, so he needs to take another big step. I think he's a late bloomer type / young-minded - call it what you want - I wouldn't be surprised if he were one of those guys that improved considerably at 23, 24 years of age. But in some / a lot of circumstances, you don't have that time - and wind up on your third or fourth stop / team by then. I also think that despite Goldobin's skillset, he might not make the best fit in Vancouver because I think the principal skilled LW spot they're looking to fill (with EP) could use a different kind of player - heavier, forechecking, hard areas two-way player if that line is going to consist of EP and Boeser. So then - does Goldobin fit on Horvat's line? Not sure - particularly with the amount of hard minutes Horvat handles at time - it appears that Pearson is a better fit there. And beyond - not sure Goldobin fits that well on a 3rd or 4th line. Somewhat unfortunate imo - he'd be a good, talented young player to keep around and give time, but I think the clock is ticking faster given the circunstances here. I'd probably look to move him despite his talent, to see if they can land a better fit - or more veratile type player. These are a few of the similar concerns I'd have had with Dahlen's fit, if he'd performed better and was warranting a recall (despite the talent, was he a good fit? Might be in the SHL - but not sure that's the case in the NHL, particularly with Boeser more and more looking like EP's principal winger. I think I'd be looking to move him for a comparable - one that might have a better chance of sticking somewhere in the lineup - I think if it were up to me I'd be looking for a guy like Kamenev if he could be had out of Colorado.
-
It was nearly 10 years ago, so I'm not sure who 'gave up' on Grabner on these boards - but Goldobin doesn't quite have one key asset Grabner does - world-class speed.
-
Grabner wasn't "given up on" by the Canucks - he was traded in a deal for a guy that underachieved/was injured here - named Keith Ballard - who was a pretty solid top 4 D when he was acquired. Grabner went on to be waived by the Florida Panthers - who "gave up" on him.
-
It's possible you looked at the stats before they were updated to include last night's game? In any event, I'm obviously not on team get-rid-of-Gud-whatever-it-takes - but at the same time, I liked Pearson and thought L.A. made a relatively bad move dealing him to Pitt for Hagelin - and I like him even more seeing how well he and Horvat work together. I also think that a LW who can move up in the lineup and provide a bit of physicality was a clear need. Dealing Gud wouldn't have been my first choice - but I think they were pretty determined to move one of Edler, Tanev or Gud - and he became the default when the two others were not possibilities. With Stecher somewhat breaking out, Tanev still here, Woo looking like an NHL probable, and some decent depth in Biega, Schenn....I think their work in free agency is not vital to land a 'big RHD fish' - I'd be pretty happy with Stralman, and failing that, they could always just add a depth (Sbisa/Petro) type and let it ride. I don't think the deadline for rethinging the right side expires this summer.
-
I agree with what you're getting at - and for me I'd target similar players - Nelson/Lee - Connolly could be a good bargain signing who is just emerging - or a viable middle six if he doesn't uptick much more - I'd probably prefer a LW and a guy slightly bigger/more physical, but he's the kind of player that makes sense imo - ones that are at the edge of their prime, haven't yet commanded a big contract and are relatively versatile, so they're not huge risks / big contracts. Particularly at this stage - I would be more happy if they seek one of these 'middling' guys that can step up into the top 6 in the shorter run, if they own it they stay, if the team drafts or develops a guy that pushes them down, not a huge deal. It's the more strictly high end one-way players with significant decline risk that I'd stay away from, as well as the Karlson types that the day they arrive pose a road block and significant limitation on a player like Hughes' role. So I'd look to sign a forward that isn't going to cause a great deal of cap inflexibility if they wind up in the middle as opposed to top 6 - and who are versatile. Among defenseman, I'd aim slightly 'lower' at a Stralman type, who'd be a helluva placeholder, not command a great deal of term, and could be a great complement in the shorter run regardless, if the team is more competitive short term than anticipated -which is a distinct possibility if the quality depth remains healthy, young guys continue to push for spots, and the youth already here continue to uptick. A relatively good value UFA signing enables them to continue to improve the team, take advantage of every opportunity to add good assets, but not commit such a vital role - and such huge cap over term, to a D who'd push a player like Hughes into a secondary role. With a forward that's not really an issue, particularly if you pick the right two-way versatile guy.
-
The Canucks don't "research" their draft picks - they scout them. The other names will not necessarily get you 'Utica' players. And if he's available at 9, you still have to wonder if he'll be available at 10.... Those things aside, and the fact there's already a fairly lengthly draft thread....otherwise, good to know.
-
We agree on Gardiner - I'm not really interested and don't see him as a good fit - and doubt he's going to be good UFA value. But I want 'middling' signings. I'd prefer a Stralman - 'middling' cap over short to mid term (2-3ish years) - and up front - a relatively young prime forward like Nelson would make me very happy. Stralman doesn't get in they way longer term of guys like Woo, and whomever (might draft a D prospedt at 10 and need a few years) - Stralman could enable them to move a guy like Tanev for a younger RHD (I propose to Tampa. after they lose to the CBJ haha, lose a number of UFA D, and perhaps look to upgrade for their now window = Tanev in a deal for a Cernak or Foote type move). Stralman doesn't get in the way of a Hughes - as a Karlson would - and he doesn't hamstring the team long term with a premature albatross. Nelson is a potential 'foundational' forward that can play up and down the lineup - 3rd to 1st line - good fit imo - and 'middling' range relative to the big fish. If this team drafts a high-end forward, Nelson doesn't get in their way - he's very versatile and could fit in a number of scenarios moving forward.
-
I prefer to look at that stuff realistically - not misrepresent it with quick, inaccurate stories. Gudbranson - 'by the stats' 1) does not have the highest ozone starts = Schultz does at 58.1%.(Gud is 51.9%). 2) does not have the highest corsi = Letang does at 59.4% (Gud is 59.3%) Gud is the only Pens D with a plus on ice goal metric (+1) - and he has the highest PDO on the team. None of that necessarily makes him the 'best' or 'worst' D on the Pens - but he's certainly playing well, fulfilling his role, and of all the talent on that team, he's arguably the least of their concerns. He and Pettersson are one of their dedicated matchup pairings - and they're doing their job - quite well imo. That said - Pearson was brought here to be a fit to play with Horvat - and likewise, he did extremely well thus far - and was highly productive in not exactly the most opportune of minutes. A pretty good hockey trade thus far, of a pair of quality players whose previous surface appearances didn't necessarily represent what they could bring in better circumstances.
-
If the 'upcoming' draft spot is 'ruined' why would it be due to 'middling UFAs' as opposed to EP, Horvat, Hughes, Boeser, Markstrom (existing, growing talent)......Edler, Tanev, Sutter, Beagle, Pearson (existing 'middling' foundational support).....Stecher, Demko, Gaudette, Virtanen, Motte (existing, emerging youth).....etc, etc. Would a 'middling' UFA or two make this team "too competitive" all of a sudden? What does chasing bigger fish do? Put them 'over the top'. It's ironic for me to see proposals that weed out all the alleged "debris" - leaving a half-empty top 6F and top 4D - and yet simultaneously propose to chase the biggest of fish. I don't agree with either 'side' here - I think both are oversimplified - and I'm no fan of blowing the team's cap flexibility on the biggest fish they can catch with the biggest lures in the UFA market - that's a likely a 'premature' move as any - and it's not only highly risky, but if anything is going to hamstring your rething, it's blowing your load prematurely attempting to 'speed up' the rething before players like EP, Hughes, etc are truly ready for long playoff runs. If this team is going to contend - imo it will be on the backs of EP, Hughes, Horvat, Boeser, and a few other emerging core players not necessarily yet determined. Imo that group isn't necessarily ready to contend - so count me out of the speed up the rething, massive UFA expenditures. Keep the flexibility, stay the course - look to add good value UFA, most likely in the 'middling' to low range - keep the 10th overall pick -absolutely do not spend that for 'now assets' unless you're prying the most unlikely of young players from other team's rosters.... And don't play for lottery picks either. Stay the course.
-
Which do you agree with? You agree with the OP and think the team has spent enough time at the bottom - and believe that the team should try to sign UFA big fish? Or you agree with Alf and don't want a premature/'unnatural' bump in the standings leading out of lottery contention. You can't have it both ways - (that is, unless it's merely political, in which case riding contradictions is the 'art' of the business).
-
[Hiring] Flyers hire Alain Vigneault as Head Coach
oldnews replied to HerrDrFunk's topic in General Hockey Discussion
Not only a great coach - but a great post-game interview as well / sense of humour. -
I take your point more to be that you don't necessarily need to draft 'elite' players to be a contender. Virtually everything Vegas got - were on the edge of team's expansion lists - ie a whole team full of 4D, 7/8 forwards, etc. That makes for one hell of a deep team though - and the ability to stockpile 4D - some of them just emerging - as were some of their forwards. Not necessarily a single "elite" player there prior to arriving in Vegas. I don't necessarily 'they add Stone and are now contenders' fits the story = they were already contenders - and added more than Stone this year - but for me the lesson that people might have learned in paying attention to Vegas - is that it's a team game - and deep teams can compete and win as readily as teams with a few 'elite' pieces. 'Elite' players can help - but regardless, a team needs to be built from top to bottom, and those key gamechangers don't necessarily have to come out of the top 5 or 10 picks of the draft. So many people get hung up on this myth - that lottery picks will make you a contender. Karlsson, Marchessault, Tuch, Smith, Scmidt, Theodore, etc = nothing resembling a lottery champion.
-
[Hiring] Flyers hire Alain Vigneault as Head Coach
oldnews replied to HerrDrFunk's topic in General Hockey Discussion
Exactly. The Isles are a highly talented team with some very good young talent - Barzal is 21, Beauvillier 21, Pulock and Pelech 24....and when you look at that roster, you'd probably not predict they'd give up the fewest goals in the NHL. Do their young players complain about being required to play grown-up, professional, two-way hockey? I doubt it. The thing about AV - is that characterizations of him here were laughable = "defend the 0-0 tie!" etc - absolute drivel. His teams are well coached possession teams - in his time here the Canucks lead the league in scoring (and also gave up the fewest goals in the NHL, one season they did both at the same time)....he's a great two way coach - young players should be excited about how he can enhance their careers, and even their production. -
Cool story. This is the problem with watching hockey through crap-goggle lenses, looking to confirm whatever biases you hold beforehand. Sounds like you didn't watch the game - or even look at the boxscore. 2 hits. 1 block 0 giveaways. O on-ice goals against. 50% corsi - 15 on ice shot attempts for, 15 against. When Crosby, Malkin, Letang, Kessel, Guentzel combine to produce nothing - 9 times out of 10 you are going to be playing from behind - and when you only have 3 penalty kills in a game - your dedicated shutdown guys aren't going to eat as big minutes. DuMoulin only played 19 minutes - and Gudbranson's 17 minutes was the least of the Pens problems - his pairing was the only one that didn't give up goals in that game - all four other D were minuses - but, but.....Gud gave the puck away constantly, couldn't keep up, wasn't physical, couldn't exit his zone....all cool stories.
-
[Hiring] Flyers hire Alain Vigneault as Head Coach
oldnews replied to HerrDrFunk's topic in General Hockey Discussion
Yeah - AV is like virtually every other coach at the NHL level - if you're not ready and don't play a grown-up, two way game without the puck - you need to go develop elsewhere until you do. That's what the AHL is for. If you're waiver eligible and you still can't play the pro game....don't blame your coach, period. I wonder who among Burrows, Kesler, Hansen, etc would whine about the way AV developed them? I'm guessing not a single one. -
[Hiring] Flyers hire Alain Vigneault as Head Coach
oldnews replied to HerrDrFunk's topic in General Hockey Discussion
No one plays all the time. That's why you have four lines and three pairings - so guys can sit down and catch their breath between shifts. Shouldn't be a problem -
[Hiring] Flyers hire Alain Vigneault as Head Coach
oldnews replied to HerrDrFunk's topic in General Hockey Discussion
Every time he's available. -
[Hiring] Flyers hire Alain Vigneault as Head Coach
oldnews replied to HerrDrFunk's topic in General Hockey Discussion
Great addition. Lots of talented young guys - and AV's systems should be a good fit there - as well as his ability to get the most out of young guys developing at the NHL level. This should be fun to watch/track moving forward. -
I'm not on the draft Caufield team - but I also wouldn't be drafting for size with a 10th overall pick - I want the best player available. The team needs/could certainly use more heaviness in a top 6 winger or two, but imo it's a mistake to draft for attributes - if those attributes don't line up in that pick, find a way to add them elsewhere imo. There are a few USNDTP like Turcotte and Boldy that are tempting as well - but I feel like the 10 spot could belong to a D - Soderstrom, Broberg, Seider - as easily as a winger that people think would complement EP. Personally I'm hoping that pick lines up with a bpa D personally - I think it's less difficult to find wingers outside the draft than it is defensemen, or centers - and I think a deeper prospect blueline is more vital than wingers.....maybe just my own counter-biases.