Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike Liut
No doubt. Any thoughts on Russell being paired with Petro? I think I like it. And Cole and Polak is a deadly strong pairing. They will punish people.
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I think Russell as Pietro's partner is OK. Compare him with Colaiacovo, and I don't think there's a drop-off really. You get better puck movement, more hockey sense and a smaller frame. He'll get outmuscled at times, but if the offensive line is playing their defensive checking like Hitchcock requires, the puck should be moving to the offensive zone quickly anyway.
The only defensive pairing I am leary of is Jackman-Polak. Ironic, since this was an incredibly effective shutdown pairing in the past. Problem is that you have too little ability to get the puck out of the zone quickly with those two. And that quick transition is the gruel that Hitchcock's engine runs on.