I always thought that Getzlaf would make a great defenceman. Great at covering people 1 on 1, great size, awesome shot from blue line. He sets alot up of scoring plays from before his own blue line by making a sneak pass. As a forward he lacks the speed of Ryan, Selanne, Cogs etc. He already technically already plays defence on the powerplay. Do you think Getzlaf would be an effective defenceman?
I always thought that Getzlaf would make a great defenceman. Great at covering people 1 on 1, great size, awesome shot from blue line. He sets alot up of scoring plays from before his own blue line by making a sneak pass. As a forward he lacks the speed of Ryan, Selanne, Cogs etc. He already technically already plays defence on the powerplay. Do you think Getzlaf would be an effective defenceman?
no on the simple basis that he is a number 1C (and one of the better one's in the leauge) on a team that lacks C depth
This, with an emphasis on No. If that was really the plan, the team should be collecting the kings ransom for him ASAP.
Also want to point out that a lot of forwards play the point on the PP. Huge difference between that and playing defense. Ovechkin plays "defense" on the PP. I imagine the thought of him on defense makes every Caps fan cringe.
Last edited by Duckstudd269: 03-09-2012 at 11:33 PM.
I'm actually serious that Getzlaf has potential as a D-man IMO.
i think you right that he has potential as a D-man but its because he really is that talented...not only that he has the total "package" as a hockey player...he has the size, the grit, the hands, the shot, the IQ, the raw talent...i have no doubt that if he were to be moved to D he would be very good at it....but he is WAY to good of a forward to even consider moving to D....
If back when he was 13-14 years old he decided to be a dman instead then i'd say he would be a lot like a smaller more agile version of shea weber. But he's one of the best centers in the league so what-evs. Let's go tank the season, draft Galchenyuk and go win the pacific next year
I'm pretty sure he could. I started playing defence in my mid-30's after being a centre my whole life so I'm pretty sure Getzlaf would be able to do it. To me the real question is why? He may not be having his greatest season but he is still one of the best players at his position in the league.
Doing it at the NHL level would be a completely different matter. It's the hardest position to play in the sport and one where experience and hockey smarts are so important. I don't even know why people are entertaining the thought of it being a successful transition.
Doing it at the NHL level would be a completely different matter. It's the hardest position to play in the sport and one where experience and hockey smarts are so important. I don't even know why people are entertaining the thought of it being a successful transition.
While I certainly appreciate that the NHL level is a different matter at the same time it is all relative. I don't know that he could make the transition, I don't think it should be tried, but at the same time I do believe it could be done. A highly skilled hockey player is a highly skilled hockey player and while some extra time may have to be put in I would not just off handedly state that it can't be done. Getzlaf has great hockey sense so I don't see why he couldn't do it.
REPEAT, while I think it is possible he could I don't think it makes any sense for the move to be made.
