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Post by cigarviper on Jun 23, 2007 23:27:20 GMT -5
I would hope that Gainey and Timmins are quite aware that ANY Quebec born or bred player would have to possess extraordinary character to thrive on this team. You think Dandoullion doesn't know how most habfans feel about their play? There hasn't been a lineup of french UFAs banging on the door wanting in. The franchise history became a curse along time ago. Once people let that go, life is pretty good and the team is getting better.
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Post by UberCranky on Jun 23, 2007 23:34:56 GMT -5
ahrut spit......damn taste in my mouth......
BC,
Gainey just painted himself in the corner and sitting on the guillotine. If he does NOT get Briere or Marleau and he does not sign a Souray or equivilant, he has taken this club a step back and he deserves everything he gets.
Can anyone possibly argue that we are a better team today then we were two months ago? With only two bonafide top four and no top six center other then Koivu, we are backsliding head first into the Laffian fields. Can you imagine Koivu going down? That is the end of the season...and the end of Gainey's and Carbo's job.
As for McDo....
Even if he develops into Chelios The Second in four-five years, he is next to useless for us. At that point his monetary value hits astronomical numbers and we don't get the opportunity to build the team while his dollar value is relatively small. How many times have we both said that it takes a mixture of expensive veterans and cheap, high performing juniors to build a contending team? We did say that...or was that the voices in my head...AGAIN.
As for Espo....
There was relatively very little to pay for moving up the draft ladder and the probability that Espo will become elite talent is higher then what we got. Sure, he may play with some talented kids but the reality of it is that he has to have show substantial talent himself otherwise he will be a quickly discarded anchor. Even MThead will not keep a boat anchor in the line-up to rub it into our faces.
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Post by seventeen on Jun 24, 2007 0:53:56 GMT -5
I don't think I'd compare Esposito to Jordan Staal. If Esposito makes the Penguins, they have a much worse team than we think, or the management is doing it deliberately, a scenario I don't think is true. I can't help thinking that a player that so many teams had doubts about, in a weak draft, is suddenly going to turn it around and become one of Maguire's monsters. He sounds a lot like Cory Urquhart, speed, skill, good hands and loves the periphery. I haven't seen him play, so take my opinions lightly. The words used by others to describe him, though, don't warm my cockles (take that you censor!).
BTW, the main thrust of this Esposito debate is that some guys think he's the next superstar who was badly misjudged, because he was a consensus #1 the year before. Others think he's chopped liver. Let me dig back in my memory bank and I think I recall another guy, a 16 year old, 6' 2" tall, over 200 lbs, a defenseman who was pegged as 1,2, or 3 in the following year, his draft year. The Habs picked him at #16 I think....and I was absolutely ecstatic. His name is Brent Bilodeau. Some times, players fall for a reason.
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Post by habmeister on Jun 24, 2007 1:37:02 GMT -5
i think espo could be one of the biggest busts in qmjhl history. if 19 teams passing on him after he was a consensus #1 doesn't point to it then nothing does.
bust espo bust!
i watched him thru 3 practices and scrimmages at canada jr camp 1 1/2 years ago and was left totally unimpressed. that was when he was #1 and i just couldn't see what the hype was about. he went about where he probably belonged. pacioretty wasn't risky enough imo.
i think perron will be a better player than espo, from what i've seen. which isn't a lot, i just love perron's jam, work ethic, drive, whatever you want to call it.
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Post by Boston_Habs on Jun 24, 2007 6:50:30 GMT -5
Well I'd like Bob Gainey to be asked and answer the question: "did you explore the options of moving up from #22 to draft Esposito?"
It's not like St. Louis or Anaheim at #18 and #19 would have picked him so there is a good chance one of them would have moved down and still got a player they wanted plus a pick in a later round. As I said before, I don't have a problem with the McDonagh pick but I thought they should have been more opportunitstic and conscious of the good will they would generate by moving up to get Esposito. We had two picks in the 1st round. The same thing happened in the NFL draft when the Cleveland Browns passed on QB Brady Quinn (a Ohio native and lifelong Browns fan) to get another player at a position of need, and then when Quinn plummeted in the 1st round the Browns smartly moved up to grab him. It was win-win all around.
If it truly wasn't possible or too expensive (which I can't believe) then I'm totally fine with the draft. But it just seems like, given the uncertainty of how players develop and the local implications, it was an easy move to trade up with very little downside risk, being that Max Pacioretty turns into another Cam Neely.
THAT's what this draft comes down to for me. The Habs thought more highly of Pacioretty and Olivier Fortier than Esposito. I hope they're right.
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Post by UberCranky on Jun 24, 2007 7:32:17 GMT -5
Some of you need to CALM DOWN.
I just deleted a post and modified another one. We will NOT tolerate adults acting like children. Critisize in a civilized manner whoever you want all you want BUT the minute you take out your fustrations on fellow posters or this site, you WILL BE SUSPENDED OR BANNED.
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Post by CentreHice on Jun 24, 2007 9:03:52 GMT -5
I don't see all the fuss about this year's draft. Opinions are all over the place. All the way from "not deep" to "under-rated".
The fact remains: we still are going to be fighting for 8th again next season. As HA points out, if Koivu goes down, we are toast (as it stands now). We do need a Briere, Marleau, or Bergeron. And not just to appease the French media....we need one of the BPAs.
Gainey has to energize the team, media, and fans this summer.
As bad defensively as he is, if Souray goes, our team loses its only legitimate PP threat. And without our #1 PP last year, we would have been fighting with Philly for 16th.
I'm sure it wasn't easy being a Pittsburgh fan while they were tanking for 4 seasons...but their heads are raised high now. Is that where we're headed?
HA, could you wear that war helmet til 2012?
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Post by halihab on Jun 24, 2007 9:18:11 GMT -5
I have to agree with many posters here. I don't see what all the fuss is about. I managed to see Espo play a few games and he did not impress me at all. He has great speed, but does not use it effectively. I also caught a few games of Fortier and can see why the habs are high on him. He too has tremendous speed but is a completely different player than Espo. He is aware of his positioning at all times and is not afraid to enter into traffic and get dirty. (great at faceoffs as well). Habs fans will enjoy him in a couple of years. I might be crucified for saying this, but I was actually hoping they wouldn't pick Espo.
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Post by Marvin on Jun 24, 2007 9:18:21 GMT -5
Well I knew it would happen: Pick Esposito and you have people wondering why. Pick McDonagh and you have people wondering why. You will NEVER please everyone on this Message Board or anywhere else for that matter. I just don't understand how those who were against picking Esposito can now backtrack on their statements? Pick one side and stay there.
Marv
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Post by halihab on Jun 24, 2007 9:24:24 GMT -5
Well I knew it would happen: Pick Esposito and you have people wondering why. Pick McDonagh and you have people wondering why. You will NEVER please everyone on this Message Board or anywhere else for that matter. I just don't understand how those who were against picking Esposito can now backtrack on their statements? Pick one side and stay there. Marv You are right Marv. It doesn't matter who the GM picks, it will never be the right pick or agreed on 100%. As stated before, it's a no win situation. All we can do is hope and trust that they make the best decisions, after all, they have far more information about players than we do.
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Post by Doc Holliday on Jun 24, 2007 9:25:00 GMT -5
Have you ever tried to take out the CH from every gene in your body? It's not going to happen. Doc, the team needs to get the hell out of the mediocrity spin cycle. Nothing more, nothing less. I'll quarantee you that you will not care WHO is hoisting the cup and the players show us what it MEANS to wear the CH. You are right HA. But I am happy nonetheless that Espo landed in Pittsburg because I am going to see a lot of him on TV along with Crosby, Ouellette, Letang, Recchi, Roberts, Malkin, Staal, etc... I get my kicks where I can. Pitts have a really exciting team to watch which isn't the case for Montreal. Love is close to hate and right now I wish Bob comes crashing down hard along with this team, I'll enjoy every second of it. Should I lie and pretend I'm excited and happy? I'm not. I'm dejected and mad. I loved this team with my guts not with spreadsheets and scouting reports on players I have never seen, never heard of. That's that. Local content vs BPA, maybe the organization would get more respect if they'd came out and said, local content is of no importance for us. By saying they want to increase the local content yet never acting upon that, they come of as manipulators and liars. One thing I want to make clear about Espo, I never tried to pass this guy as the savior of the franchise and/or a sure shot franchise player and no media outlet, local or not, ever hinted that either. He was however a highly popular and spectacular player with a strong sense of belonging that would have energized a fan base that really needed it. I remain convinced the organization needed that kind of player way more than any player in this draft aside from the top 3 that got picked. Timmins knows talent and the guys he picked surely have talent but a good part of the fan needed something to hang on to for a little while and McDonna and whoever ain't it. Finally a word about the general state of the board, thank you to all that understand that we're here to exchange point of views and opinions and do it with respect to the people puting their opinion forward, no matter how different it is from their own. This board is different from others, it is not a uni-thinking site but respect of fellow posters is not an option. Thank you HA for reminding us that.
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Post by Skilly on Jun 24, 2007 10:23:45 GMT -5
Ok ... I was a fence sitter on Esposito. I jumped back and forth many times that I felt like I was running a Steeplechase.
Any-who .... everyone is giving their opinions very eloquently on the pros and cons of not trading up to get Esposito. Yet, no one has ventured into the fray on how they feel about Montreal not trying to trade up to nab Cherapanov.
We drafted the guy we had ranked #1 , at #12. We won the lottery. It is a real good pick, bbut it leaves me wondering where all these defense prospects are going to play ... however, not only did we avoid trying to land Espo, we avoided trying to get Cherapanov. Two highly touted offensive players .... that leaves more than a sour taste in my mouth.
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Post by Forum Ghost on Jun 24, 2007 10:29:46 GMT -5
Love is close to hate and right now I wish Bob comes crashing down hard along with this team, I'll enjoy every second of it. Doc, I would never question your love or passion for the CH, but this statement here is a little troubling for me to hear. I would like to believe that it's just your emotion talking and that it's not what you genuinely hope for.
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Post by Doc Holliday on Jun 24, 2007 10:34:42 GMT -5
We drafted the guy we had ranked #1 , at #12. We won the lottery. It is a real good pick, bbut it leaves me wondering where all these defense prospects are going to play ... however, not only did we avoid trying to land Espo, we avoided trying to get Cherapanov. Two highly touted offensive players .... that leaves more than a sour taste in my mouth. Dmen takes longer to make it than forwards so by the time McDonnagh is ready, guys like Bouillon and Dandeneault will surely be gone and whoever we'll get to cross the bridge this year, will probably also be. McDonnag is probably a good 3 years away from the NHL... A lot can happen... Cherepanov, well, if he's as good as rumored and if he comes over and adapts, he could be the steal of the draft. Can't blame Gainey to have a case of cold feet with Russians though...
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Post by UberCranky on Jun 24, 2007 10:42:47 GMT -5
Cherepanov, well, if he's as good as rumored and if he comes over and adapts, he could be the steal of the draft. Can't blame Gainey to have a case of cold feet with Russians though... Along those lines.... Gainey may also be gun shy of controversies and since he has/had so many on his watch, he may over emphasize in his mind any "character flaws". Instinct and experience tells me that this may have been the BIGGEST reason why he did not want Espo. If so, well....he's wrong. A manager has to do whatever is the best for the company, not what is most convienient or easy for him. At least in the real world.... ~~~~~~~~~~ Note to Gainey: Get us a a great trade or siging BEFORE we start chewing on our arms. Thank You Cranky In Therapy
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Post by Doc Holliday on Jun 24, 2007 10:48:04 GMT -5
Love is close to hate and right now I wish Bob comes crashing down hard along with this team, I'll enjoy every second of it. Doc, I would never question your love or passion for the CH, but this statement here is a little troubling for me to hear. I would like to believe that it's just your emotion talking and that that's not what you genuinely hope for. I will refrain from further commenting this because I can see that my opinion of the matter is really firing up some people. I'm dispointed they did not pick Espo, like so many other things they did disapointed me and I have lost a lot of faith and respect in this organization right now. I'll leave it at that.
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Post by Disgruntled70sHab on Jun 24, 2007 11:10:18 GMT -5
i think espo could be one of the biggest busts in qmjhl history. if 19 teams passing on him after he was a consensus #1 doesn't point to it then nothing does. bust espo bust! i watched him thru 3 practices and scrimmages at canada jr camp 1 1/2 years ago and was left totally unimpressed. that was when he was #1 and i just couldn't see what the hype was about. he went about where he probably belonged. pacioretty wasn't risky enough imo. i think perron will be a better player than espo, from what i've seen. which isn't a lot, i just love perron's jam, work ethic, drive, whatever you want to call it. I don't think he'll be a bust at all, H&C. He's with an organization that is currently built on a solid core of talented youngsters who are relatively the same age, give or take a few years. He's too young to go to the AHL, so if he doesn't make the Penguins this year he'll be back in junior. However, while I don't have a crystal ball, I think he would be back in junior in any event if he were taken by the Habs. That's just the way the organization seems to work. And, they would have taken flack for that as well. Don't need a crystal ball for that. Still, Esposito is going to a completely positive environment and he should fit in right away. After Lemieux own the Crosby sweepstakes, his whole future outlook for the club changed immediately and a guy like Esposito will fit just fine with that vision. As an aside, watch Logan Couture's development over the next few years as well. A strong character kid who plays a solid two-way game, has a laser beam of a shot and soft hands. Would have loved to see this guy in Montreal. Cheers.
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Post by Kareem on Jun 24, 2007 11:17:42 GMT -5
I'll be remembering this thread for a long time after the comments I've read. I love McDonagh and I'm almost convinced he'll have a nice successfull NHL career. I still believe he was the best defensemen available in the whole draft, I'm not sold on Alzner. Hickey is a good one though. I was extatic when they didn't pick Esposito, that guy would rather figure skate they play hockey. And I'm dead serious.
The scouting by the Habs in the last few years rates with the best. I don't want to hear what Pittsburgh did, it's a horrible example. They were the leagues embarassement for years and got lucky on lottery drafts. Nothing more, nothing less, it'd be foolish to argue the contrary.
Personally, my main beef with management is not with how they've acted with the younger players, it's what they did about the team. Granted, it's only june 24th, but there has to be some sort of improvement before the season starts. There's a big whole in the number 2 center spots as well as for the top 4 defensemen. If they have to overpay for a player they think can improve the team, I say they do, no more Samsonov type plan Bs.
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Post by jkr on Jun 24, 2007 11:36:34 GMT -5
Cherepanov, well, if he's as good as rumored and if he comes over and adapts, he could be the steal of the draft. Can't blame Gainey to have a case of cold feet with Russians though... Along those lines.... Gainey may also be gun shy of controversies and since he has/had so many on his watch, he may over emphasize in his mind any "character flaws". Instinct and experience tells me that this may have been the BIGGEST reason why he did not want Espo. If so, well....he's wrong. A manager has to do whatever is the best for the company, not what is most convienient or easy for him. At least in the real world.... ~~~~~~~~~~ Not sure about the controversy idea HA. Gainey had to know that NOT picking Esposito would create a bigger controversy.
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Post by Marvin on Jun 24, 2007 11:36:45 GMT -5
I've never seen Ryan McDonagh play nor have I seen Angelo Esposito play. I have no idea who is a better player. All I know about these players is what I've read in the press clippings. My heart certainly wanted them to pick Esposito. It's been a long time since the fans in Mtl have felt any connection to a player, and Esposito (boom or bust) would have likely re-created that connection. Time will tell who will turn out to be the better player, and until then the criticisms and the praise are really not worth much.
Marv
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Jun 24, 2007 12:23:11 GMT -5
We drafted the guy we had ranked #1 , at #12. We won the lottery. It is a real good pick, bbut it leaves me wondering where all these defense prospects are going to play ... however, not only did we avoid trying to land Espo, we avoided trying to get Cherapanov. Two highly touted offensive players .... that leaves more than a sour taste in my mouth. I think there is a very clear plan to build up the farm from the net out. Ti is not just cliche, it actually is a proven strategy. We have young Halak and Price poised to be legitimately fighting for spots for years to come. Desjardins was no slouch either having a stunning ECHL pro debut, but he is lost in the hype of the others. Danis is the odd man out, but like Abby in Montreal, he had long stretches this season to show he was #1 and let them slip through his catching mitt. Our game at the NHL level has been so void of defensive depth and skill for a while, that management has started a commitment to build some depth from within. Again, this is a model of success as many current perennial contenders have had a solid goalie and players on the blueline. Ottawa has always had a strong core, and even the loss of Chara was quickly filled up with new NHL style good ones from within or via trade. Buffalo has the most under-rated defensemen, but those guys move the puck and bring the speed transition game into play immediately. Dallas, Nashville, Detroit all have really solid bluelines, and have either been in the hunt every year, or in Nashville's case prior to the fire sale, have been getting better and better. Anaheim went out and made their defense a priority with flashy and expensive signings on the free agent market. It appears to have worked. I think a solid defense who can both retrieve and move the puck would make players like Ryder and Kovalev even better. Their defensive lapses would not be over-exposed. Less time would be needed chasing the other team in the defensive zone. More time to exploit natural offensive talent because the transition game would switch to offense quickly. Defense first only applies when you don't have the puck. Spend more time with it and heading towards their net, and both coaches and players are happy. To get better, you need defensemen who can both skate, have the skill to remove forward and puck, have the strength to battle down low, and the puck skills to then move the puck out into transition. 10 out of 15 picks from the last two drafts were defensemen. All have some sort of strength in skating, puck handling, or shooting. If a few a year develop into bona fide NHL'ers, then that is great. The future is bright because we get a few years on the low end of the payroll before the purse strings have to be opened up. If a few more develop, then we have some assets for bigger and better moves to complement the team in other areas. Either way, it is a sustainable plan for the future. The problem is that these are only 18 year olds and this does nothing for the present. UFA's will be the key for Bob in order to field a competitive team next season. A top centre and top four defender are critical for this fall. The draft will be forgotten by the fall, but the success on ice will be front and centre until late next spring.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 24, 2007 12:25:15 GMT -5
I'm happy with this draft. They went out to the plate in hopes of hitting a home run instead of taking a safe route. Let's see if any of these kids crack the starting roster in the fall.
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Post by duster on Jun 24, 2007 13:31:44 GMT -5
It's interesting to read all the opinions regarding team management and Esposito. You'd almost think we missed out on Crosby... ![;)](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/wink.png) Kidding aside, the players selected, from first to last, were deemed the most suitable based on the opinions of multiple scouts who do this year in, year out. I think it's reasonable to give them the benefit of the doubt. I do fully understand Doc's and others bitterness, but to say the GM is uncaring is harsh. I'm certain it was not an easy decision in light of his stated promise to consider more home grown talent. Gainey does not strike me as arrogant or uncaring. No one ever thought of him that way as player. Meanwhile, we picked whole boatload of defensemen which the org really needed and we have cap room, if not young players to use as trade assets, to address the problems at centre and on defense. The offseason is not over yet. I remain optimistic.
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Post by franko on Jun 24, 2007 13:33:42 GMT -5
The fact remains: we still are going to be fighting for 8th again next season. As HA points out, if Koivu goes down, we are toast (as it stands now). We do need a Briere, Marleau, or Bergeron. And not just to appease the French media....we need one of the BPAs. Gainey has to energize the team, media, and fans this summer. Exactly. Espo would have just been a PR pick -- he wouldn't have made the team this year. Gainey needs to go out and get a couple of guys via UFA or trades (even giving up some of "the future") in order to improve the team NOW.
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Post by oldhabsfan on Jun 24, 2007 14:15:10 GMT -5
A lot of experience says that you need character to win. It doesn't matter how much talent you have if you don't have the will to apply it when it counts, like the playoffs.
Character seems to be a major theme of our last few drafts. I'm interested that a lot of our picks are described as smart, which also helps. There is a bias toward good skaters, which helps.
Kovalenko, Savage, Rucinksy, Czerkowski, Samsonov. Kovalev....I have a feeling that Esposito or Cherepanov would have fit right in there.
I beleive that Montreal fans want above all to win, and failing that they want players who give it their all trying to win.
I'm reasonably happy with this draft. The Bulldogs are going to have an interesting time in a couple of years with all those defencemen, but we can live with that.
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Post by CentreHice on Jun 24, 2007 14:53:29 GMT -5
Doc, twice during the regular season I felt the way you do right now.
1. When the Habs just couldn't break out of the January-February slump. That was utterly ridiculous.
2. When it seemed as if most of the Habs mailed in the final two games of the season (Rangers-Leafs) when everything was on the line.
If not for Halak even giving us a chance, I would still be mired in the doldrums.
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Post by Forum Ghost on Jun 24, 2007 15:12:46 GMT -5
Doc, I would never question your love or passion for the CH, but this statement here is a little troubling for me to hear. I would like to believe that it's just your emotion talking and that that's not what you genuinely hope for. I will refrain from further commenting this because I can see that my opinion of the matter is really firing up some people. I'm dispointed they did not pick Espo, like so many other things they did disapointed me and I have lost a lot of faith and respect in this organization right now. I'll leave it at that. Sorry Doc, I hope you didn't take my comments the wrong way. I didn't get fired up or angry by what you said, it's just that some of the comments that you're making (like the one below) make it sound like you're not a Habs fan anymore. I don’t wish anything good on the Canadiens anymore, I hope they sink and rot like many are predicting, I hope they hit their 100yr anniversary with a bottom feeder team that no local fans cares about, I hope Carbo resigns, I hope the Pens can acquire Latendresse for a bag of pucks and I hope those Pens actually win their next Stanley Cup on that 100th year anniversary of the HABS. You can bet that I’d be doing the moonwalk over this one… I guess I'm just surprised that this past season has had that drastic of an effect on you. I can relate to a certain degree. I too was frustrated with the Habs this past season. But no matter what they do, I can't see myself cheering against them. I can't imagine wishing them harm. Sure, I'm a fan of certain players on the Habs and of other players around the league, but my first allegiance is to the Habs. In other words, the TEAM itself; regardless of who is or isn't on that team. The Montreal Canadiens organization should be more important than any individual player.
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Post by Skilly on Jun 24, 2007 15:17:53 GMT -5
Meanwhile, we picked whole boatload of defensemen which the org really needed and we have cap room, if not young players to use as trade assets, to address the problems at centre and on defense. The offseason is not over yet. I remain optimistic. Gainey's track record with Montreal shows he either doesn't like or is not willing to trade prospects. The only prosepct he ever traded was Balej .... the others he gives up on and lets them slip through the cracks (Hossa, Hainsey, Beauchemin). If I knew he would use those 15 odd defensemen we now have in the system someway in a trade ... well I would be alot more happy.
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Post by Skilly on Jun 24, 2007 15:22:45 GMT -5
We drafted the guy we had ranked #1 , at #12. We won the lottery. It is a real good pick, bbut it leaves me wondering where all these defense prospects are going to play ... however, not only did we avoid trying to land Espo, we avoided trying to get Cherapanov. Two highly touted offensive players .... that leaves more than a sour taste in my mouth. I think there is a very clear plan to build up the farm from the net out. Ti is not just cliche, it actually is a proven strategy. We have young Halak and Price poised to be legitimately fighting for spots for years to come. Desjardins was no slouch either having a stunning ECHL pro debut, but he is lost in the hype of the others. Danis is the odd man out, but like Abby in Montreal, he had long stretches this season to show he was #1 and let them slip through his catching mitt. Our game at the NHL level has been so void of defensive depth and skill for a while, that management has started a commitment to build some depth from within. Again, this is a model of success as many current perennial contenders have had a solid goalie and players on the blueline. Ottawa has always had a strong core, and even the loss of Chara was quickly filled up with new NHL style good ones from within or via trade. Buffalo has the most under-rated defensemen, but those guys move the puck and bring the speed transition game into play immediately. Dallas, Nashville, Detroit all have really solid bluelines, and have either been in the hunt every year, or in Nashville's case prior to the fire sale, have been getting better and better. Anaheim went out and made their defense a priority with flashy and expensive signings on the free agent market. It appears to have worked. I think a solid defense who can both retrieve and move the puck would make players like Ryder and Kovalev even better. Their defensive lapses would not be over-exposed. Less time would be needed chasing the other team in the defensive zone. More time to exploit natural offensive talent because the transition game would switch to offense quickly. Defense first only applies when you don't have the puck. Spend more time with it and heading towards their net, and both coaches and players are happy. To get better, you need defensemen who can both skate, have the skill to remove forward and puck, have the strength to battle down low, and the puck skills to then move the puck out into transition. 10 out of 15 picks from the last two drafts were defensemen. All have some sort of strength in skating, puck handling, or shooting. If a few a year develop into bona fide NHL'ers, then that is great. The future is bright because we get a few years on the low end of the payroll before the purse strings have to be opened up. If a few more develop, then we have some assets for bigger and better moves to complement the team in other areas. Either way, it is a sustainable plan for the future. The problem is that these are only 18 year olds and this does nothing for the present. UFA's will be the key for Bob in order to field a competitive team next season. A top centre and top four defender are critical for this fall. The draft will be forgotten by the fall, but the success on ice will be front and centre until late next spring. All those teams use "acquired" defenses .... not drafted. We now have how many defense prospects? Add to it that everyone of those defenses you cited had "experience" back there too ..... well McDonagh, Subban, O'Byrne, Emelin, Valentenko, Fischer, etc .... all touted as sure things. OK ... well you need some experience back there ... so it won't be until 6-7 years until we see all these guys playing together and by that time how many will have been given up on? How many will still be with us? ..... It is obvious from the list of "can't miss" defense prospects that we didn't need more (or are they really considered can't miss by Gainey? ..ahhh theres the rub!). We still haven't got someone in our system who strikes offensive fear into any opponent ... we had a chance on at least one this year and passed.
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Post by PTH on Jun 24, 2007 16:08:35 GMT -5
2 points:
We could have traded to get Espo, but as I see it, that would have cost us both Subban and Pacioretty, and in a wide-open draft more picks is more important than better picks, since really no one is a sure thing.
Second: Matt Zultek. Back in 1997, I remember some columnists in Ottawa complaining about how the Sens hadn't drafted a local boy who was rated as highly as the guy they took.
Zultek amounted to essentially nothing; the Sens picked an obscure player called Marian Hossa instead...
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