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Post by Douper on Feb 21, 2015 22:39:55 GMT -5
It looks like we have a gem here. Nathan is really playing solid hockey. He oozes confidence on the ice and he doesn't look like rookie out there. MT is giving him 20+ minutes and he's earning every minute of it. I love the poise with the puck, the vision on the ice, the toughness and the speed. Every time I see him he reminds me of Mike Green with the Caps but tougher. Like I said before we have a gem here, PK, Markov and Nathan could be a GREAT top 3 in the next 2 years.
The way he's playing I think Bergevin should concentrate more on a Top 6 forward at the deadline. Keep Tinordi up and play the sh... out of Beaulieu and PK.
Timmons Rocks!
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Post by seventeen on Feb 22, 2015 0:03:46 GMT -5
It's really surprising how quickly it can happen. At the end of last year, Beaulieu was still tentative, weak in puck battles along the boards and had a tendency to lose possession. Early this season, a little better, but not much. Gonchar comes over and he gets paired with him and within just a few games, he's more confident, moving the puck faster and making better decisions and now he doesn't need Gonchar and he's in fact the go to guy on his pairing. He holds onto the puck more, makes better decisions, etc, etc.. All in the space of a couple of months it seems. That alone was worth trading Moen for. Now if we could find a partner for Tinordi to provide the same impetus...wow.
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Post by habsorbed on Feb 22, 2015 2:03:16 GMT -5
Way ahead of McDonagh at this point! Top 6 offensive forward is what we need!
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Post by GNick99 on Feb 22, 2015 5:42:22 GMT -5
It looks like we have a gem here. Nathan is really playing solid hockey. He oozes confidence on the ice and he doesn't look like rookie out there. MT is giving him 20+ minutes and he's earning every minute of it. I love the poise with the puck, the vision on the ice, the toughness and the speed. Every time I see him he reminds me of Mike Green with the Caps but tougher. Like I said before we have a gem here, PK, Markov and Nathan could be a GREAT top 3 in the next 2 years. The way he's playing I think Bergevin should concentrate more on a Top 6 forward at the deadline. Keep Tinordi up and play the sh... out of Beaulieu and PK. Timmons Rocks! I agree on the scoring forward. Problem is not too many of them available.
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Post by Skilly on Feb 22, 2015 5:59:36 GMT -5
Nathan won't have arrived until he is used in the situation in which he thrives .... The PP. I won't get giddy until Therrien stops using Subban for 2:00 on every powerplay and trusts the kid
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Post by Willie Dog on Feb 22, 2015 10:58:50 GMT -5
The thing i love about nate is what i love about markov. .. he can make a decision and move the puck in the blink of an eye. Most other D hold onto the puck too long and it allows the other team to get established.
Also What i saw last night from nate in the offensive zone when he was controlling the puck on the half board sort of reminded me of kovalev. ... he had the d not sure what he was going to do. That is what we need... creativity not predictability.
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Post by seventeen on Feb 22, 2015 12:30:47 GMT -5
Nathan won't have arrived until he is used in the situation in which he thrives .... The PP. I won't get giddy until Therrien stops using Subban for 2:00 on every powerplay and trusts the kid He's used him before on the PP, but since he's most recently improved, I agree that more time there would be time well spent. Put him there with Markov a bit and see what happens. Left hand shot, can loan up the gun a la Souray, but moves the puck really well like Streit. I agree that our PP would be much improved. In fact, I'd try that as our first unit, I think. It complicates pairings because Markov and PK are a 'convenient' pair.
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Post by habsorbed on Feb 23, 2015 1:26:58 GMT -5
Don't get me wrong cause I love this guy's potential but he seems to suffer from the 'Sekac disease' : lots of puck possession and skill but not many points. Can't believe he only recently got his first goal. He's got a fair amount of time on the 2nd pp unit but nada. Don't blame him cause our pp has been somewhat nada all season.
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Post by BadCompany on Feb 23, 2015 8:19:03 GMT -5
I was never the biggest Beaulieu fan; not because I didn't think he had the physical talents, as he clearly does, but because I wondered about the space between his ears. In a lot of ways. He seems to have really matured in the last couple of months, and his play on the ice is reflecting that. I know a lot of credit has been given to Sergie Gonchar for that, and perhaps rightly so, but you have to give credit to Beaulieu as well. It's one thing to have people tell you things, it's quite another to actually listen to what they are saying. Kudos to Beaulieu for being receptive.
Having said that, I'm not sure he's ever going to be a big point producer in the NHL. He reminds me more of a meaner Ron Hainsey than say Andrei Markov. Which isn't a bad thing by the way, Hainsey has had a long NHL career and is still going strong. I mean I see Beaulieu as a strong defensive presence, who is able to get the puck out quickly and efficiently, either with a great pass or with his feet. Sort of like what we thought Tom Gilbert was going to give us. I know this sounds like damnation by faint praise, but it's not really. A solid and mean puck mover is a great addition to any team.
Now Beaulieu is already in the process of proving me wrong on a lot of levels, so here's hoping he continues to prove me wrong and starts putting up 50+ point seasons!
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Post by PTH on Feb 23, 2015 8:44:45 GMT -5
I was never the biggest Beaulieu fan; not because I didn't think he had the physical talents, as he clearly does, but because I wondered about the space between his ears. In a lot of ways. He seems to have really matured in the last couple of months, and his play on the ice is reflecting that. I know a lot of credit has been given to Sergie Gonchar for that, and perhaps rightly so, but you have to give credit to Beaulieu as well. It's one thing to have people tell you things, it's quite another to actually listen to what they are saying. Kudos to Beaulieu for being receptive. Having said that, I'm not sure he's ever going to be a big point producer in the NHL. He reminds me more of a meaner Ron Hainsey than say Andrei Markov. Which isn't a bad thing by the way, Hainsey has had a long NHL career and is still going strong. I mean I see Beaulieu as a strong defensive presence, who is able to get the puck out quickly and efficiently, either with a great pass or with his feet. Sort of like what we thought Tom Gilbert was going to give us. I know this sounds like damnation by faint praise, but it's not really. A solid and mean puck mover is a great addition to any team. Now Beaulieu is already in the process of proving me wrong on a lot of levels, so here's hoping he continues to prove me wrong and starts putting up 50+ point seasons! I have to admit he reminds me more than a little of Hainsey, as well.... nice size and skill, though Beaulieu probably has better wheels, but no terrific numbers. If he can find a way to mesh better with our forwards, he could get a lot of points off the rush, but for now he seems to need to earn each point through solid work in the offensive zone.
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Post by franko on Feb 23, 2015 8:51:39 GMT -5
I guess we're all looking for something different from our d, but I think we have a free-wheeler in PK and it's time to find a solid, stay-at-home-clear-the-front-of-the-net dman. I was thinking it was Tinordi. maybe it still is. with Beau as solid play-starter from the back end, getting the puck quickly to someone on the breakout.
all works together.
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Post by Boston_Habs on Feb 23, 2015 9:16:07 GMT -5
Having said that, I'm not sure he's ever going to be a big point producer in the NHL. He reminds me more of a meaner Ron Hainsey than say Andrei Markov. Or Petr Svoboda. One of the most fluid skaters and puck movers I have ever seen. Like Beaulieu, Svoboda played a skating and passing game but never really put up the points you might have expected. I hope Beaulieu surpasses that, he certainly has the skills but doesn't seem yet to have the offensive instincts of a guy like Markov. I'm sure part of that is coaching - MT is probably in his ear to not screw up - and part of that is Nathan getting comfortable in his role. Either way, it's been great to see the guy blossom... Now it's Tinordi's turn!
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Post by blny on Feb 23, 2015 9:26:29 GMT -5
It's easy to forget Nathan is only 22. Perhaps we get a bit jaded because PK made it so quick and had such a big impact right away. I've always had high hopes for Nathan. It was just a matter of whether or not he'd be able to put it together at the NHL level. Whether it's his doing, Gonchar's, or a combination of both, he's starting to put it together. It would be great to be able to put a solid stay-at-home defender with him.
He and Gilbert looked okay together the other night. In a perfect world, next season, I'd love to see a scenario where our defensive pairings look like this:
Markov-Subban Beaulieu-stay at home vet Tinordi-Pateryn Gilbert(unless they can find someone cheaper)
Z. Michalek wouldn't be a physical beast, but he's a bigger Gorges. Plays his own end very smartly, excellent shot blocker, right handed. He's 32 though. If Barret Jackman were right handed he'd be an interesting option as well, even at 33. A 3-4 year deal for either guy would be a good acquisition.
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Post by blny on Feb 23, 2015 9:33:01 GMT -5
Having said that, I'm not sure he's ever going to be a big point producer in the NHL. He reminds me more of a meaner Ron Hainsey than say Andrei Markov. Or Petr Svoboda. One of the most fluid skaters and puck movers I have ever seen. Like Beaulieu, Svoboda played a skating and passing game but never really put up the points you might have expected. I hope Beaulieu surpasses that, he certainly has the skills but doesn't seem yet to have the offensive instincts of a guy like Markov. I'm sure part of that is coaching - MT is probably in his ear to not screw up - and part of that is Nathan getting comfortable in his role. Either way, it's been great to see the guy blossom... Now it's Tinordi's turn! For me, the difference I see is that Svoboda always played timidly. Nathan has an edge to his game that Petr never had. Nathan is more willing to do the things that need doing to score. Plus, that cross ice pass to Max was one Markov would be proud of.
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Post by frozone on Feb 23, 2015 10:21:52 GMT -5
Even on stacked St-John Sea Dog teams, Nate never quite cracked the ppg threshold. I agree that he does have plenty of offensive tools, but I think puck movement is his strongest asset.
One thing's for sure, he has really shown the ability to learn over the last few months. For that reason alone I think he can excel in all aspects of the game. He's only 22!
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Post by Polarice on Feb 23, 2015 10:55:37 GMT -5
I was never the biggest Beaulieu fan; not because I didn't think he had the physical talents, as he clearly does, but because I wondered about the space between his ears. In a lot of ways. He seems to have really matured in the last couple of months, and his play on the ice is reflecting that. I know a lot of credit has been given to Sergie Gonchar for that, and perhaps rightly so, but you have to give credit to Beaulieu as well. It's one thing to have people tell you things, it's quite another to actually listen to what they are saying. Kudos to Beaulieu for being receptive. Having said that, I'm not sure he's ever going to be a big point producer in the NHL. He reminds me more of a meaner Ron Hainsey than say Andrei Markov. Which isn't a bad thing by the way, Hainsey has had a long NHL career and is still going strong. I mean I see Beaulieu as a strong defensive presence, who is able to get the puck out quickly and efficiently, either with a great pass or with his feet. Sort of like what we thought Tom Gilbert was going to give us. I know this sounds like damnation by faint praise, but it's not really. A solid and mean puck mover is a great addition to any team. Now Beaulieu is already in the process of proving me wrong on a lot of levels, so here's hoping he continues to prove me wrong and starts putting up 50+ point seasons! On TSN690 they were comparing him to Éric Desjardins. I think that's a pretty fair comparison.
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Post by Disgruntled70sHab on Feb 23, 2015 11:01:28 GMT -5
I think he's doing just fine ...
Cheers.
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Post by seventeen on Feb 23, 2015 12:35:21 GMT -5
I think he'll end up with 40 points a year in a normal year and that's nothing to sneeze at. He has good puck handling skills, so he's able to keep his head up and see the play develop. I don't think he'll ever see the game a few moves ahead like Markov does, but he'll be much better than average. I just hope he gains a little more muscle so that he can be more efficient in his own end and less likely to be injured. It seems like his confidence switch just got flicked this year and what a change that's made to the Habs D. We are no longer desperate for another 3/4 dman and our depth just got a lot better.
I agree, BC. The Blues game is a big one from the point of confidence for both Pateryn and Tinordi. If they can both come out of this game with smiles on their faces, it might really turn our whole defence situation 180 degreees, to the point we can afford to trade out a defenseman or two to get that scorer.
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Post by UberCranky on Feb 23, 2015 14:46:31 GMT -5
On TSN690 they were comparing him to Éric Desjardins. I think that's a pretty fair comparison. Same size. Beau is inherently meaner and a better skater then Desjardins. Mind you, it's hard to make a comparison from a guy who retired a decade ago.
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Post by UberCranky on Feb 23, 2015 14:49:50 GMT -5
I think he'll end up with 40 points a year in a normal year and that's nothing to sneeze at. He has good puck handling skills, so he's able to keep his head up and see the play develop. I don't think he'll ever see the game a few moves ahead like Markov does, but he'll be much better than average. I just hope he gains a little more muscle so that he can be more efficient in his own end and less likely to be injured. It seems like his confidence switch just got flicked this year and what a change that's made to the Habs D. We are no longer desperate for another 3/4 dman and our depth just got a lot better. I agree, BC. The Blues game is a big one from the point of confidence for both Pateryn and Tinordi. If they can both come out of this game with smiles on their faces, it might really turn our whole defence situation 180 degreees, to the point we can afford to trade out a defenseman or two to get that scorer. Patience.....receding hairline....patience.....receding hair line.... If we come out of this season with Pateryn, Beau and Tinordi as our very effective top 6, we got it made.
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Post by Gogie on Feb 23, 2015 14:56:56 GMT -5
Even on stacked Saint John Sea Dog teams, Nate never quite cracked the ppg threshold. I agree that he does have plenty of offensive tools, but I think puck movement is his strongest asset. One thing's for sure, he has really shown the ability to learn over the last few months. For that reason alone I think he can excel in all aspects of the game. He's only 22! Fixed your post. As a native Saint John'er that's my prerogative.
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Post by Gogie on Feb 23, 2015 14:59:57 GMT -5
Or Petr Svoboda. One of the most fluid skaters and puck movers I have ever seen. Like Beaulieu, Svoboda played a skating and passing game but never really put up the points you might have expected. I hope Beaulieu surpasses that, he certainly has the skills but doesn't seem yet to have the offensive instincts of a guy like Markov. I'm sure part of that is coaching - MT is probably in his ear to not screw up - and part of that is Nathan getting comfortable in his role. Either way, it's been great to see the guy blossom... Now it's Tinordi's turn! For me, the difference I see is that Svoboda always played timidly. Nathan has an edge to his game that Petr never had. Nathan is more willing to do the things that need doing to score. Plus, that cross ice pass to Max was one Markov would be proud of.Right after that goal the camera showed Max on the bench. You could easily lip-read what he was saying, which was "What a pass!".
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Post by UberCranky on Feb 23, 2015 15:02:28 GMT -5
Now Beaulieu is already in the process of proving me wrong on a lot of levels, so here's hoping he continues to prove me wrong and starts putting up 50+ point seasons! Patrick......*I must resist, I must resist, I must resist, no I can't resist*.....Traverse. We come a long way from scraping the barrel, looking at dregs and thinking we got value. Beau can be Markov. It took Markov four years of full time play to reach 46 points so there is ample time to get there.
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Post by frozone on Feb 23, 2015 16:09:40 GMT -5
Even on stacked Saint John Sea Dog teams, Nate never quite cracked the ppg threshold. I agree that he does have plenty of offensive tools, but I think puck movement is his strongest asset. One thing's for sure, he has really shown the ability to learn over the last few months. For that reason alone I think he can excel in all aspects of the game. He's only 22! Fixed your post. As a native Saint John'er that's my prerogative. Lol thanks, Gogie! Never again will I be so crass.
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