He and Russell seemed a natural pair. Russell was dancing around everybody and Methot was just going through them. Now if we can just get Russell to find the back of the net, but it'll come.
He and Russell seemed a natural pair. Russell was dancing around everybody and Methot was just going through them. Now if we can just get Russell to find the back of the net, but it'll come.
Ill agree. They play very very good together. Nice combo of O and D. They could be a #1 pairing in a couple of years. Would LOVE to see them stay together for a full season, so they can feed off each other.
Keep Methot, but don't give up on OKT. He brings a lot of toughness to our D corps.
I gotta believe Hitch and Howson will only keep him if:
1. He stops making mistakes and stays healthy.
2. He starts becoming 'something' of an offensive threat too.
Our team needs more than just another 3rd pair tough guy.
I will not be surprised if OKT is not back on the team next year.
a responsible, tough, young dman. You guys are acting like he's a washed up vet. His skill set is not offensive, so why would you expect that of him? anyways, with a team full of "pansies" OKT is definitly not one of them
That said, Methot is damn awesome too. In the future, it will have to be one or the other probably. Methot may be the right choice, but you can't make that decision after 2 games this year. I just don't like that Ole is being bashed unnecessarily. He's played well this year.
a responsible, tough, young dman. You guys are acting like he's a washed up vet. His skill set is not offensive, so why would you expect that of him? anyways, with a team full of "pansies" OKT is definitly not one of them
That said, Methot is damn awesome too. In the future, it will have to be one or the other probably. Methot may be the right choice, but you can't make that decision after 2 games this year. I just don't like that Ole is being bashed unnecessarily. He's played well this year.
He has?
How then do you account for Hitch scratching him numerous times?
I'm not on the Methot bandwagon yet, just pointing out that OKT and Duvie have left the wagondoor WIDE OPEN.
That's a very solid defense....Westcott's future is questionable, OKT will probably end up being the 7th. At one time I believe Hitchcock said once Methot was called up (and playing) he would stay...
With Methot and Brassard up, Zherdev retooled, Leclaire relatively healthy, Norrena solid as a backup, Novotny and Hejda pleasent surpises, and Peca dead set on staying in the lineup I think we have maxed out on the hopeful preseason positives. That's excellent.
Now is all we need is some scoring consistency and a winning streak or two....
Modin still isn't back, so we're not maxed out yet.
Methot has played 2 NHL games this season and already looks better than OKT / Westcott.
Like I said in the GDT, I see him turning out to be an Adam Foote type player in the future.
You gotta put yourself in this kid's shoes and imagine how much his confidence must have been affected by being sent to Syracuse to start the season after playing 20 games here last year. He's just getting this confidence back.....
I gotta believe Hitch and Howson will only keep him if:
1. He stops making mistakes and stays healthy.
2. He starts becoming 'something' of an offensive threat too.
Our team needs more than just another 3rd pair tough guy.
I will not be surprised if OKT is not back on the team next year.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mingo
OKTs the man don't be silly.
a responsible, tough, young dman. You guys are acting like he's a washed up vet. His skill set is not offensive, so why would you expect that of him? anyways, with a team full of "pansies" OKT is definitly not one of them
That said, Methot is damn awesome too. In the future, it will have to be one or the other probably. Methot may be the right choice, but you can't make that decision after 2 games this year. I just don't like that Ole is being bashed unnecessarily. He's played well this year.
OKT could be suffering a sophomore slump, could be having trouble adjusting to Hiutch's scheme, or could be battling a nagging injury of some kind. His play hasn't matched last year's for sure. I hate to give up on him, by the same token, I'm not sure he makes the team out of camp next year. So, if you want him around long-term, you don't mind him playing in the minors next year. But, if you need to add a piece to a deal to get it done, and he's that guy, I'm not sure that's a bad play.
EDIT: In a Methot thread, to stay on-topic, it's fair to say Marc makes the flexibility that allows the team to have options with OKT possible, IMO.
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"Every game, every point is a necessity." -- Ty Conklin, January 2007
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Methot has played 2 NHL games this season and already looks better than OKT / Westcott.
Like I said in the GDT, I see him turning out to be an Adam Foote type player in the future.
You gotta put yourself in this kid's shoes and imagine how much his confidence must have been affected by being sent to Syracuse to start the season after playing 20 games here last year. He's just getting this confidence back.....
Actually I disagree. While I think he was ready for the show to start the season, being sent back to Syracuse allowed him to know exactly what it takes to compete in the NHL, and has allowed him to really improve his game. Hitchcock said the number one thing he improved from this year to last is his puck movement. He said he felt last year he was overwhelmed with the puck, and now that he's had time to work on it and is back, he's a pretty solid puckmover.
It was said by Jackets officials that OKT was playing with the injured neck. Now I don't know about the rest of you, but I don't think I could do that. Sort of the same situation as Vybes in that playing with an injury often times = not 100%.
Let's see where OKT is at after he fully recovers from the injury. Might not be till next year, though, as it sounds like surgery is in his future.
It was said by Jackets officials that OKT was playing with the injured neck. Now I don't know about the rest of you, but I don't think I could do that. Sort of the same situation as Vybes in that playing with an injury often times = not 100%.
Let's see where OKT is at after he fully recovers from the injury. Might not be till next year, though, as it sounds like surgery is in his future.
Really? On the telecast the other day I thought he said he'd be ready to go in like a week....
Speaking of Methot, if he continues to impress I'd sure like to read about contract talks for him instead of Foote. Methot is unrestricted this summer and I'd have to assume we are not the only ones in the league who are aware of him.
your username is almost a mockery of mine.. A lawsuit is at hand. Macserv, i demand him to be my lawyer....or Falcor
heh.. i'd win, but i don't want the case
as for methot.. what can i say? i love him. i've wanted him up all this time, since the beginning, and i'm happy as hell that he's finally here.
as for okt.. i am SO not ready to give up on him. that would be a very foolish thing to do. after all.. how many years did rusty get to get his act together?
Do you think this guy is NHL ready. Is stats look pretty good.
How's his skating?
Methot is NHL ready and has been for some time, especially for the back end on this team. Unfortunately, he is a victim of Hitchcock's system of screwing with young players.
Last edited by Dougmustgo*: 01-14-2008 at 05:50 AM.
Really? On the telecast the other day I thought he said he'd be ready to go in like a week....
Whoa! Last I heard was there was a good chance surgery was needed. I'll have to check on that. I heard Modin real soon, but not OKT. Maybe I missed something.
*EDIT*
Portzlines blog:
Quote:
-- Talked to Ken Hitchcock this morning. He said Fredrik Modin (back spasms), Sergei Fedorov (hip pointer) and Ole-Kristian Tollefsen (herniated disc) are expected to take part in Monday's practice.
Herniated discs don't just un-herniate. Only thing I can think is he has responded to therapy, and can have surgery in the off-season if it is needed.
When Fristche took the last second shot that upset the Blues and created an end of the game scrum, Methot found Backes (he of Zherdev hit fame). Methot pins him up against the glass, then starts to pull his Jersey over his head, Backes crouches forward as the refs start to get involved, Methot gets in a good/decent right hand as Backes is leaning forward with his head about waist high, then Methot crushes/pushes his head into the glass/boards.
That made a big impression on me too, errey.
Relating back to the discussion that Portzline started about the team being soft, that, to me, is exactly what he was talking about: nobody gets a free ride, nobody escapes scrutiny for a hit, whether legal or not. That's playing tough and being tough to play against. Methot is already showing signs of being a solid on-ice presence and a potential leader. It wouldn't surprise me at all if, in a couple seasons, he's got a letter on his sweater.
Speaking of Methot, if he continues to impress I'd sure like to read about contract talks for him instead of Foote. Methot is unrestricted this summer and I'd have to assume we are not the only ones in the league who are aware of him.
Quote:
Originally Posted by falcor
heh.. i'd win, but i don't want the case
as for methot.. what can i say? i love him. i've wanted him up all this time, since the beginning, and i'm happy as hell that he's finally here.
as for okt.. i am SO not ready to give up on him. that would be a very foolish thing to do. after all.. how many years did rusty get to get his act together?
After reading in the Crunch thread how poorly our young d-men are playing in the 'Cuse, it may be better to keep all of our current NHL-level defensemen under contract. Doesn't sound like we have much to fall back on, right now.
Biggest pluses of Methot's game are his physical presence (see the end over end hip check) and his ability to move the puck out of our zone (something we really struggle at).
