I'd take Hamhuis over Boyle. And that's even if Bieksa wasn't on the roster (where he fits so well with him as a defensive partner).
Boyle in his prime was a two time 2nd team all-star...he's 36 now and still very good. In 2010 Team Canada used Boyle in a top 4 role and didn't use Hamhuis at all.
Boyle in his prime was a two time 2nd team all-star...he's 36 now and still very good. In 2010 Team Canada used Boyle in a top 4 role and didn't use Hamhuis at all.
I'd still take current Hamhuis over past Boyle. This team needs a guy who excel defensively (look at which player had significant PK duty [2010-11 season] and who rarely saw PK duty [2003-04 season]).
Last edited by Barney Gumble: 10-29-2012 at 05:52 PM.
blame a coach who's unable to adapt. team's stars usually gets shutdown, you should know the match ups and take advantage when you can. AV would just send out top 2 lines over and over again no matter what, even when everybody can see they're struggling due to injury or match up. There are always 3rd liner or 4 liner stepping up in the playoffs, because coaches can see it and allow them to excel. AV benches our energy players especially when we're down in the playoffs, sometimes your top 6 needs a spark from the lesser players. We either need the best top 6 forward and the best top 4 defense in the world so our coach can just keep on throwing them out there or realize we have a deep team and use depth and have proper match ups.
I'd still take current Hamhuis over past Boyle. This team needs a guy who excel defensively (look at which player had significant PK duty [2010-11 season] and who rarely saw PK duty [2003-04 season]).
I disagree completely as did the smartest hockey minds in the county. Boyle dominated Canada vs Russia in a way that Hamhuis never*could.
I disagree completely as did the smartest hockey minds in the county. Boyle dominated Canada vs Russia in a way that Hamhuis never*could.
Stralman was vastly superior to Edler in a World Championship tournament a few years ago (think most people would say the same); still wouldn't take the former over the later back then. We'll just have to agree to disagree on this.
Last edited by Barney Gumble: 10-31-2012 at 12:12 AM.
What is a #1 defenseman though anyway? Is it a Scott Niedermayer or simply a Brendan Smith? If it's the latter we have Alex Edler. IF not, we definitely need one.
I beg to differ that many teams have won without a #1? In recent memory I can think of Carolina, and that's about it. Every other team had a 30 minute guy, who played all situations. From Doughty and Chara to Lidstrom, Cup winning teams have had the guy who effectively eats up those top minutes.
Did those teams have anything else? You are always good for a laugh though, thanks.
if hamhuis isn't a number 1 or at least close to it i don't know what is edler also has potential to be a number 1 although consistency is an issue while we still have garrison and bieksa as solid defenceman if im gillis im looking at ways to bring in a top end scorer for the twins perry, horton, and iginla all ufa's after next season
Nashville had 2 #1 dmen and a Vezina quality goalie and won nothing.
Looking at recent winners, I think a warm climate might be the real secret.
If you look only at the last three winners, then the recipe is an elite defenceman (Keith, Chara, Doughty) and stupid depth throughout the lineup. 2/3 had elite goaltending as well.
However, looking over time, the secret is to have as good of a team as possible, have your goaltending play at it's best, and to have good luck as far as health goes. Add in a dash of lucky bounces in close games and you have the recipe for a winner.
If you look only at the last three winners, then the recipe is an elite defenceman (Keith, Chara, Doughty) and stupid depth throughout the lineup. 2/3 had elite goaltending as well.
However, looking over time, the secret is to have as good of a team as possible, have your goaltending play at it's best, and to have good luck as far as health goes. Add in a dash of lucky bounces in close games and you have the recipe for a winner.
Another very important factor is the team getting on a hot streak at the right time.
St. Louis went on a crazy hot streak too early in the season and cooled down towards the end of the season and playoffs.
So the Canucks gut their farm and roster to acquire one of the very few #1 defensemen in this league?
imo, Edler is a #1 guy. This team needs to improve in different areas. If a #1Dman becomes available i'm not opposed I just don't see where we would be looking...
If you look only at the last three winners, then the recipe is an elite defenceman (Keith, Chara, Doughty) and stupid depth throughout the lineup. 2/3 had elite goaltending as well.
However, looking over time, the secret is to have as good of a team as possible, have your goaltending play at it's best, and to have good luck as far as health goes. Add in a dash of lucky bounces in close games and you have the recipe for a winner.
Being an American team has also been very a very good indicator over the last 20 years.
If you look only at the last three winners, then the recipe is an elite defenceman (Keith, Chara, Doughty) and stupid depth throughout the lineup. 2/3 had elite goaltending as well.
However, looking over time, the secret is to have as good of a team as possible, have your goaltending play at it's best, and to have good luck as far as health goes. Add in a dash of lucky bounces in close games and you have the recipe for a winner.
Wow, having a really good team wins you the Cup? Thanks, coach.
Seriously though, one thing that is common in winning the Cup is good depth at center, 1 dynamic defenseman and at the very least a goalie that can make a timely stop (if not lots).
It won't take long before Edler starts getting the respect he deserves. People used to say that he wasn't a #1 because he wasn't physical enough, now he crushes and everyone says its consistency. Consistency comes with age, Pronger, Niedermayer and Lidstrom were not consistent at his age, and Doughty and Karlsson are hardly consistent or defensively reliable at this point in their careers, and neither are Boyle or Greene.
The quality of a teams defense corps is directly related to a teams special teams ratings, we have consistently been at or near the top of the league for a long time in both PK and PP. I am not worried.
What would be nice would be a right handed offensive dman to play beside Edler, but he does not have to be a true #1.
