How is Hainsey doing?

[Boston_Habs]

Can anyone comment on Ron Hainsey's performance this year.?

I notice his offensive numbers are not too impressive, but that may be a good thing if he is paying more attention to playing solid D.

[Gogie]

In a post earlier this year I opined that Hainsey was regressing in his development. However, since the arrival of Mike Komisarek (who has been paired on defense with Hainsey) his played has dramatically improved. He has become more physical (although he didn't have to do much to improve in that area) and his offensive play has dramatically improved. He is playing with much more confidence now. One barometer of his improvement is the fan reaction to his play. Over the last month or so I haven't heard much if any booing when he's on the ice. Earlier in the season the fans were pretty relentless in getting on his case.

[BadCompany]

Hainsey got off to an okay start to the season, but then kind of fell apart when the Dogs defense took some injury hits, and he was called upon to do a lot more than he is probably capable of. Cote was hurt, Plante, Focht (who was brutal anyways), and of course Komisarek. Plus, I think he was missing a lot of motivation, and much like Jason Ward was, he was just biding his time until the NHL started up.

Once it became clear that there would be no NHL this year, he, and Ward, started picking it up. I'd say from about the second week of January, which more or less coincided with the Dogs in general starting to play much better. With Cote back, and then the addition of Komisarek, their blueline in general is much better, which has taken a load of pressure off of Hainsey. Hainsey, in my opinion, is a lot like Brisebois, in that if he is labelled the #2 or #3 guy, he will play like a #1, but if he is labelled a #1 guy, he will play like a #4 or #5. Or worse. Strange, but there you have it.

Also helps that Hainsey has been a decent playoff player in the past, and with the Dogs on a playoff run for the last couple of months, he has been getting better and better.

[NWTHabsFan]

I think the positive comments that we read from CJ recently in an interview that he is pleased with how Hainsey is playing much better is a real positive sign . CJ did caution that there are still improvements to be made in his one on one play down low at times, but that they could work on that.

I think BC nailed it on how the transformation from Hollywood Hainsey to Rocket Ron has transpired. I also have to echo how truly bad Focht was/is back there. BRUTAL...Mr Turnover.

Funny thing is that I saw the first two games of the season live and was pleasantly surprised by Ron's solid play and leadership that he was showing out there. The televised games mid season gave me goosebumps, and the most recently televised games show a much more confident and effective Hainsey.

Having a D partner like Komo who knows what to do in his own end is important for Hainsey's success. Being paired with Daley earlier on was a huge mistake, as Daley went on far too many excursions and left Hainsey holding the fort far too often.

I still would like to see much more physical play, even if it is just rubbing your guy out on the boards more often as opposed to the open ice hit skill that takes time to develop. I would imagine that not too many forwards are scared to play against him quite yet!!