Odds and Ends
Nov 6, 2002 17:42:36 GMT -5
Post by JacquesInFL on Nov 6, 2002 17:42:36 GMT -5
The 2002-03 Habs are 4-4-4 thus far, but for me appear even more fragile than the record indicates. This is counterintuitive for a veteran team, no? Here are a few things that strike me:
1. The PK. It's very bad. And what is truly perplexing is that JJ, AD and d-pairs from last year have been on ice for most of the bloodletting. Could it be Carbo's film sessions and methods in this aspect of game be superior to Charron's?
2. The PP. A real disappointment considering this club is stocked full of PP specialists. For me, I do not see the personnel logging PP ice as fast & strong enough to make the "fire the puck down in" strategy pay off. In fact, what often goes wrong on PP is microcosm of what happens even strength -- forwards losing one on one battles in the corners and along boards.
3. Juneau. I noticed Bulis taking faceoffs and playing some centre as the game went on. My worry (besides the fact I like Jan's game at LW) is that Juneau's back is bothering him again. He's leading the Habs forwards in minutes played (almost 19 per) and last season JJ wore down in what is physically demanding role. The fragility and age of the club down the middle is one of main candidates to undo this edition of Habs.
4. Dykhuis. If Quintal returns on Saturday, I think Karl has earned a trip to the pressbox. Rick Green's star pupil (yes, KD knows where the "trough" is) is playing like a rookie. Skating and size are certainly wasted on him -- he has just no concept how to utilize either attribute.
5. Gilmour. He went to camp. He wants to play 17-18 min/game. But he just not able to bring high calibre play most nights. And Killer with Yanic and Petrov. Come on, how does MT cover deficiencies of small 39 year old with two smurfs, one of whom skates as bad as Dougie?
6. System. Team No Identity continues to try alternative identities -- Team Trap, Team Hi Ho Silver, Team Intensity. MT Head's flavour of the month approach starkly illustrates how he has stalled out on the learning curve.
It's hot, thinking about Therrien irritates me, time now for a cold after-work beverage...
1. The PK. It's very bad. And what is truly perplexing is that JJ, AD and d-pairs from last year have been on ice for most of the bloodletting. Could it be Carbo's film sessions and methods in this aspect of game be superior to Charron's?
2. The PP. A real disappointment considering this club is stocked full of PP specialists. For me, I do not see the personnel logging PP ice as fast & strong enough to make the "fire the puck down in" strategy pay off. In fact, what often goes wrong on PP is microcosm of what happens even strength -- forwards losing one on one battles in the corners and along boards.
3. Juneau. I noticed Bulis taking faceoffs and playing some centre as the game went on. My worry (besides the fact I like Jan's game at LW) is that Juneau's back is bothering him again. He's leading the Habs forwards in minutes played (almost 19 per) and last season JJ wore down in what is physically demanding role. The fragility and age of the club down the middle is one of main candidates to undo this edition of Habs.
4. Dykhuis. If Quintal returns on Saturday, I think Karl has earned a trip to the pressbox. Rick Green's star pupil (yes, KD knows where the "trough" is) is playing like a rookie. Skating and size are certainly wasted on him -- he has just no concept how to utilize either attribute.
5. Gilmour. He went to camp. He wants to play 17-18 min/game. But he just not able to bring high calibre play most nights. And Killer with Yanic and Petrov. Come on, how does MT cover deficiencies of small 39 year old with two smurfs, one of whom skates as bad as Dougie?
6. System. Team No Identity continues to try alternative identities -- Team Trap, Team Hi Ho Silver, Team Intensity. MT Head's flavour of the month approach starkly illustrates how he has stalled out on the learning curve.
It's hot, thinking about Therrien irritates me, time now for a cold after-work beverage...