who's going to center the 3rd line? Eller or Desharnais? I prefer Eller at center and Desharnais on the LW. But we had no indication at all so far that Desharnais might be playing on the wing, he played center during pre-season and in practices.
Betts is certainly more what we need on a 4th line - better than Engqvist. But the guy has been injured often in the last few years. I would have prefer Steckel over him, any time, even if it would had cost a 4th round pick. Steckel is bigger, younger and is a master in the face off circle.
Moen and him could become an effective PK combo, hopefully.
He should be a solid player for you guys. He was amazing his first season in Philly (as amazing as a 4th line center gets anyways) and him and Laperriere were an amazing PK duo.
His play over the last season hasn't been as good, likely due to his chronic shoulder problems. He used to have to wear a strap that prevented his shoulder from dislocating (which apparently was happening a lot) and it limited his range of motion. Not sure if he still wears it.
Basically you are getting at worse adequate 4th line center and someone who can play decently on the PK, to at best (if he is over his shoulder problems) a very good 4th line center who is great on the PK.
As for those expecting a physical presence, you will be sorely disappointed in him.
He should be a solid player for you guys. He was amazing his first season in Philly (as amazing as a 4th line center gets anyways) and him and Laperriere were an amazing PK duo.
His play over the last season hasn't been as good, likely due to his chronic shoulder problems. He used to have to wear a strap that prevented his shoulder from dislocating (which apparently was happening a lot) and it limited his range of motion. Not sure if he still wears it.
Basically you are getting at worse adequate 4th line center and someone who can play decently on the PK, to at best (if he is over his shoulder problems) a very good 4th line center who is great on the PK.
As for those expecting a physical presence, you will be sorely disappointed in him.
Interesting. I went over the Flyers board and found that the vast majority of posters were sorry to see him go and expected him to be a positive pick up for the Habs.
Then, on interest, I went and checked out the Devils board to see their reaction to trading Steckel to the leafs for a 4th. They were basically celebrating, couldn't believe anyone would pay so much for Steckel. Betts' name came up as a much better player (though not all liked Betts, nobody, but nobody, liked Steckel. Apparently he gets tossed out of a bunch of faceoffs, inflating his stats but reducing his usefulness and apart from faceoffs is a total slug- slow, soft and useless.)
It was striking how much more positive Flyers fans were about Betts versus Jersey fans about Steckel. (Not to inflate Betts, he was liked, not more than that. Steckel is despised on the NJ board. I mean despised. And he barely played there.) Encouraging for Montreal, if only just HF board chatter. I'm also taking a big pause before I jump on the "we should've got Steckel, he's big and young and a facefoff god" bandwagon. He's worn out his welcome with two fanbases in very little time. Washington's PK was way better without him, faceoff stats or no. I'll be interested to see how both he and Betts (mostly Betts) play.
Had a feeling this would be a move PG would make.. Considering we were 17th on list pretty lucky that he was still available... When I heard he was released I was sold on Betts. I was persuated Enqvist could do 1 or 2 years in the minors to strenghten his overall game and become in the future that 2 Way center we expected. Great move. Plus dont we only have to pay him half?
Betts is certainly more what we need on a 4th line - better than Engqvist. But the guy has been injured often in the last few years. I would have prefer Steckel over him, any time, even if it would had cost a 4th round pick. Steckel is bigger, younger and is a master in the face off circle.
Moen and him could become an effective PK combo, hopefully.
