Quote:
Originally Posted by tmc
IMO the real question is will Lang be worse than Juneau, Bonk, Smolinski or whatever deadwood we used to have as our "shutdown" centers in past years. So frankly I'm not worried
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The OP made a good point, but this is the equally valid counterpoint.
It's been frustrating to watch players thrust into defensive specialist roles solely on the basis that it was the only role that was left for them once their offensive skills had left them. Montreal has had a long, long relationship with these types of players since Carbonneau left as a player.
One thing as the depth continues to grow and players like Begin and Kostopoulos get squeezed out, hunger develops in the form of tenacity and shot blocking. I suspect that will be the plan when things are tight - quickness, hard work, and good use of the shin pads in the dying moments.
It makes for heart palpitations, but it's better than the previous situations - slow and unskilled players like Juneau, Lindsay, even Gilmour, just trying to survive key shifts on the back of goaltender brilliance.
But Alas, if Chipchura could become a Selke winner, it would indeed help.