U are right, of course, it was meant to make U think about it.
However, it is not as confusing to me as why Martin played MAB in last years playoffs against Philly when he was so bad (especially on the PP) that if he was throwing the game he would have to play better - especially when O'Byrne was available and we were getting pushed around!!!
Perhaps O'Byrne has looked good because of his partner?
Maybe, but more likely they both compliment one another. After all, Liles was not 2nd star of the week this year, to my knowledge, before OB partnered up with him. The game I watched, Liles was awesome and OB took care of the back end.
Maybe, but more likely they both compliment one another. After all, Liles was not 2nd star of the week this year, to my knowledge, before OB partnered up with him. The game I watched, Liles was awesome and OB took care of the back end.
Liles has been hot all season, I'm not sure what you're talking about.
Perhaps O'Byrne has looked good because of his partner?
I doubt that. JML is a good player no doubt but O'byrne compliments him well, dif styles rounding out I guess. O'byrne is probably jacked and motivated to make a good impression. He's getting 20+ min a night and i'm sure he feels good right now. He's no stud, but he's a good d-man and he's getting his shot and proving he can play in the NHL full time.
The Avs board seems split between putting O'Byrne on the top pairing and benching him as a non-physical non-skilled guy. I guess the gap is not that big as his job on a top pairing would be like Komisarek with Markov, just hit and play some defense.
His stats look really good, he's playing loads of minutes, and he'd look good in Montreal right now. There are good players on the habs' D, but no one who scares opposing forwards. O'Byrne can make the occasional big hit.
The Avs board seems split between putting O'Byrne on the top pairing and benching him as a non-physical non-skilled guy. I guess the gap is not that big as his job on a top pairing would be like Komisarek with Markov, just hit and play some defense.
His stats look really good, he's playing loads of minutes, and he'd look good in Montreal right now. There are good players on the habs' D, but no one who scares opposing forwards. O'Byrne can make the occasional big hit.
Seriously? We're 2nd overall in GA/game, 1st in penalty killing - exactly how much would adding O'Byrne help?
Some of you guys need to give it a rest. He's a capable player, he didn't fit in here, we had no use for him, and we got a pretty decent asset in return. That's all.
Seriously? We're 2nd overall in GA/game, 1st in penalty killing - exactly how much would adding O'Byrne help?
Some of you guys need to give it a rest. He's a capable player, he didn't fit in here, we had no use for him, and we got a pretty decent asset in return. That's all.
I agree that we got a pretty solid return, and that he wasn't fitting in here...
but the question is Why?
The guy is playing first pairing minutes on a team that is red hot (5-1 since he got there)... and yet he couldn't even see the ice with us?
Is it really just a question of the trade waking him up, and his play improving dramatically as a result?
i suppose that's a plausible answer, though imo it also points to a bit of an issue with how the habs were managing him (and let's face it, in recent years our track record of managing young players has been less than stellar).
I'm fine with the trade, but I'm not as fine with what seems to be an organizational problem with transitioning players from prospect status to NHL ready.
O'byrne seems to be now playing the way a lot of us thought he could/would play if given a decent shot. Early in the season, with Markov out and both Spacek/Hamrlik struggling, would it really have hurt us to give him a real shot, with some consistent ice time?
even if Martin is determined to stick with his vets come hell or high water, giving O'byrne some time and some confidence would likely have allowed him to play well (or at least better than the small sample we did see from him), and raised his value.
Bournival is a decent pick up, but if that's what we got with O'byrne stuck in the press box, imagine what we could have got if he had had 5-6 games like the 5-6 he's played in Colorado...
I agree that we got a pretty solid return, and that he wasn't fitting in here...
but the question is Why?
The guy is playing first pairing minutes on a team that is red hot (5-1 since he got there)... and yet he couldn't even see the ice with us?
Is it really just a question of the trade waking him up, and his play improving dramatically as a result?
i suppose that's a plausible answer, though imo it also points to a bit of an issue with how the habs were managing him (and let's face it, in recent years our track record of managing young players has been less than stellar).
I'm fine with the trade, but I'm not as fine with what seems to be an organizational problem with transitioning players from prospect status to NHL ready.
O'byrne seems to be now playing the way a lot of us thought he could/would play if given a decent shot. Early in the season, with Markov out and both Spacek/Hamrlik struggling, would it really have hurt us to give him a real shot, with some consistent ice time?
even if Martin is determined to stick with his vets come hell or high water, giving O'byrne some time and some confidence would likely have allowed him to play well (or at least better than the small sample we did see from him), and raised his value.
Bournival is a decent pick up, but if that's what we got with O'byrne stuck in the press box, imagine what we could have got if he had had 5-6 games like the 5-6 he's played in Colorado...
OB was given plenty of chances but he could never put together 2 or 3 good games in a row. He has the smarts of Sheldon Souray combined with the offence of Hal Gill.
One of the major reasons for this streak is his pairing with Liles. After Liles got him for partner he again exploded in offence !
He's terrible with puck (we have several D-men who are maybe even worse in handling puck), but that's it. Our PK obviously improved as he's good in blocking shots, and he even plays in PP .
As I typed, Liles is now comfortable as he has big guy behind him so he can more concentrate in offence. As long Liles handle puck, O'Byrne is fine.
Conclusion:
1. Our PK obviously improved.
2. Liles is even better offensive juggernaut than from the start of season.
3. We are 5-1 since he came.
Quote:
Originally Posted by dcyhabs
The Avs board seems split between putting O'Byrne on the top pairing and benching him as a non-physical non-skilled guy. I guess the gap is not that big as his job on a top pairing would be like Komisarek with Markov, just hit and play some defense.
His stats look really good, he's playing loads of minutes, and he'd look good in Montreal right now. There are good players on the habs' D, but no one who scares opposing forwards. O'Byrne can make the occasional big hit.
Our board is not split, vast majority of us think he's good for role he plays . Stats don't lie.
Quote:
Originally Posted by JayBee
I expect O'Byrne to beast in Colorado.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Habs8517
Dumb move. O'Byrne will become a beast in the next 2 years with the Avs. They know how to develop kids unlike the Habs.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Joe Big Bear
WHy everyone is sayong that O'Byrne could be a good dman in 2/3 years? Should i remember everyone that O'Byrne is 26? Which should be the age a prospect is fully developped. O'Byrne just remember me Dan Jancevski, who was a good dman overall in AHL, but never achieve to be a full time NHLer. O'Byrne won't have more chance to crack the Avs lineup, their defense squad is full.
TOP 6 :
Liles
Hannan
Foote
Cumiskey
Wilson
Quincey
7th :
Holos
O'Byrne
Our captain (Foote) will probably retire after this season.
Cumiskey is pure garbage. Nobody knows why Sacco force him. Good thing he won't back soon .
Wilson is near garbage.
Quincey is near garbage with bloated contract.
If he continues to play like this so far, he has guaranteed place alongside Liles.
Last edited by LyricalLyricist: 11-23-2010 at 08:48 AM.
Jumping the gun are we jeez? Do you know how many times players play over their heads when they get traded? They want to make the team, they get a kick in the ass, and their team mates want to let them fit in.
O´byrne is not a smart hockey player. He can make a lateral hit at the boards, but after that his skills and smarts are below average. Avalanche fans will see soon enough. You cant teach a dumb hockey player how to play smarter.
That said, he could definitely be better than he was here, giving that he doesnt always have to sit in the pressbox because of inferior depth.
.
.
. Stats don't lie.
