The Brisebois Bandwagon, I'll slow it down, if you want to hop back on.

So far, and I realize it may be too soon to tell, Patrice Brisebois has really surprised at training camp. he showed up bulked up and he looks like he is on a mission to prove the boo-birds wrong.

I personally, am expecting big things form Brisebois, after all, this wouldn't be the first time he came back from a brutal year with a great one.

evidence:
YEAR_____GP__G__A__PTS__PIM__+/-

1996-1997___49__ 2__13__15__24__ -7
1997-1998___79__10__27__37__67__16

2000-2001___77__15__21__36__28__-31
2001-2002___71__ 4__29__33__25__ 9

2002-2003___73__ 4__25__29__32__-14

by deductive reasoning, my projection of Brisebois year.

2003-2004___78__8__31__39__58__+11

9 goals and 39 points is far from the top tier of offensive defencemen in the league...

However, if your prediction does come true, then :blush: :handclap:

9 goals and 39 points is far from the top tier of offensive defencemen in the league...

When it comes to defencemen, I would rather have one on my team who has 0 points and +/- +11 than one who has 50 points and +/- -11.

On average the first one will have done his share to help me win more games; the second one cost me games...

All-Star

The points total aren't that far fetched... It's the +/- ratio which could be harder to acheive. Not only because of his style of play, but considering our line-up this year.

If the coaches are smart about his role and ice time, independantly of his salary, he could do fine for an other year (before probably getting bought out for 1M the next to make some room for younger and cheaper Dmen in our system).

Playing Brisebois on a top pairing is certainly not a good decision as he plays against the best forwards of the league and this amplifies his mental lapses in his zone.

Playing him with soft Dmen that are somewhat inconsistent in their defensive work is also not a good idea IMO as Brisebois won't be able to lead the rush as much and his pairing will be a liability.

Playing Brisebois abundantly in the end of a tight game where we're trying to protect a 1 goal lead is not a wise move either since it could increase our chances to lose it.

But Brisebois playing a limited role on a second or third pairing with a physical stay-at-home (Souray, Quintal) with 1st unit PP QB duty along with Markov and limited ice time when in the lead, it could work just fine for him as long as he keeps this new found dedication he brought with him to camp.

+11 is his golf result, not his +- differential. ;)

I expect Brisebois to have a good season mainly because he'll be on the second pairing. The pressure will be off. Now, with Gainey stepping up for him, there should be no excuses. I think our team defense will be solid this year, but we'll have trouble scoring goals maybe, so Breezy's +/- better be above 0!

But Brisebois playing a limited role on a second or third pairing with a physical stay-at-home (Souray, Quintal) with 1st unit PP QB duty along with Markov and limited ice time when in the lead, it could work just fine for him as long as he keeps this new found dedication he brought with him to camp.

Exactly what I was thinking. :yo: