The other is the absolutely underrated Niklas Hjalmarsson on their second pair. He is a big time shutdown defenseman but no one knows that because everyone pays attention to Chicago's big money players. Few teams have gotten more out of someone making just $600K
Is there any chance Kim Johnsson comes back, or is he done?
Yeah, when exactly did Johnsson get injured? What kind of play was it, what was the injury termed? I know it was supposedly another head injury, but was it just called a concussion or what? I saw some Hawks fan saying he only played 2 games for them...is that true, or an exaggeration?
It seems like even Hawks fans aren't aware of any updates on him and are pretty much just assuming that he's done for this year.
Also, I saw the suggestion that even if he was healthy, he wouldn't be inserted into the line-up over Sopel...they were saying maybe over Hendry. That sounds totally insane to me. Has Johnsson's game dropped off that much? It couldn't have, why would they have made the trade? Is it just the case of all the Blackhawks D playing that well right now that would lead those people to say that, or is it more the case of those people being idiots?
Yeah, when exactly did Johnsson get injured? What kind of play was it, what was the injury termed? I know it was supposedly another head injury, but was it just called a concussion or what? I saw some Hawks fan saying he only played 2 games for them...is that true, or an exaggeration?
It seems like even Hawks fans aren't aware of any updates on him and are pretty much just assuming that he's done for this year.
Also, I saw the suggestion that even if he was healthy, he wouldn't be inserted into the line-up over Sopel...they were saying maybe over Hendry. That sounds totally insane to me. Has Johnsson's game dropped off that much? It couldn't have, why would they have made the trade? Is it just the case of all the Blackhawks D playing that well right now that would lead those people to say that, or is it more the case of those people being idiots?
Yes.
KJ doesn't have the offense anymore, but I still think he's very strong defensively and I think he was like +9 for them in 10 games or something like that.
I am tired of hearing about this guy. He is huge but is minus in the playoffs. What that mean is don't let Chicago setup, play one man up from front of the net and try to sprin a FW. He won't be able to catch up and cannot skate.
I am tired of hearing about this guy. He is huge but is minus in the playoffs. What that mean is don't let Chicago setup, play one man up from front of the net and try to sprin a FW. He won't be able to catch up and cannot skate.
No one has been able to move him from in front of the net in the playoffs where he has gotten a majority of his big goals. you just hope that Pronger doesnt consume alot of energy in dealing with him because honestly I dont know if I trust any of other defenseman matched up with him as good as our top has been in the playoffs. Its going to be arguably the most important matchup in this series I think, because the Flyers havent had to deal with any team in the playoffs that can and will go to the net with regularity.
But at the same time, I think we have the potential to do the same down low. Cause some problems with Niemi. Not sure any team has made life difficult for him in these playoffs. Both Leighton and Niemi while they have been good have seemingly been able to see alot of shots. Not sure if thats going to be the case in this series.
I am tired of hearing about this guy. He is huge but is minus in the playoffs. What that mean is don't let Chicago setup, play one man up from front of the net and try to sprin a FW. He won't be able to catch up and cannot skate.
No one can move this guy though. Pronger is likely the best defensemen that can do this, but then you have to look outside the box. Byfuglien can really get under your skin and Pronger has a short fuse. If Pronger's fuse snaps, it could be trouble for the Flyers.
IMO, Byfuglien is the biggest threat. You want Pronger on him, but you don't want Pronger to get in the chasing game with him either. Pronger is going to have to be really careful on which battles he picks with Byfuglien.
Byfuglien is not Johnny V or anything but he is a good player.
During the season, his ability to move back on defense was valuable, I was at the game where Seabrook got lit up against Anaheim, Buff slid back on D and they played with 11 forwards. How valuable would that have been for say Vancouver? Their ongoing injuries on defense did them in against Chicago.
This postseason, he wasn't scoring early but he was agitating and creating traffic. He got hot and that won't continue but he will keep banging down low.
Is his threat being exaggerated? Absolutely, the guy is a 30 point player, he doesn't skate well and his biggest offensive asset is not his hands but a booming shot, which he can't use inside the blue paint. But he is still not to be taken lightly IMO, he adds a different dynamic to a team that is otherwise mostly speed-based up front.
Hjalmarsson is a stud, no one talks about him. When Campbell was out, he really picked it up. He can play with anyone and he is not flashy but damn is he effective. Moves the puck well in all three zones, solid positioning on defense.
I admit a hot Hossa would be a lot to handle. I think he's played fairly well so far, just not producing to validate it. He always brings speed to the table and the potential for a counterattack. Also, not that it's a big deal, but he played very well in the regular season meeting.
I don't think Pronger's got a short fuse at all. Maybe it's only because I've really only had the availability to watch him this year, but everything the man does seems calculated.
Sometimes he just gets penalized. I wouldn't call that a short fuse.
