I agree with JGRB, the Emelin-Diaz pairing was quite good...and remember they were being used as a 2nd pairing and were doing quite well. They would be an excellent bottom pairing duo. The idea of Kaberle-Gorges is intriguing.
Quote:
Originally Posted by NewHabsEra
Even physically, he was surprising for his size..
I would say what was surprised is that, given his size and the type of game he came from, that we wasn't intimidated by bigger forwards. He's not really afraid to take a hit which is important as a D man. IMO it's one of the reasons why Gorges is so effectve because he would literally take a bullet to clear the zone. Most turnovers on D come slight hesitation caused by trying to balance making a play and avoid getting hit.
Habs would have been wise to look for a legit 2nd pair RD to play with Markov. The Emelin-Diaz pairing was quite good at one point and I agree with you, Diaz needs a hulking type partner to help some shield his weaknesses. Very smart player positionally, no question about that. Along the boards and infront of the net is where he tends to struggle more so.
Gorges-Subban
Markov-?
Emelin-Diaz
Considering Kaberle is likely still in the mix, in terms of balancing things out..
Markov-Subban
Kaberle-Gorges
Emelin-Diaz
Gorges game likely to take a hit from having to cover Kaberle, but it should also make it a useful pairing. Emelin-Diaz despite inexperience are relatively solid defensively. Gorges can play with Subban in the dying minutes and the PK.
That IS his game, he is a defensive dman, he covers for his partner. This isn't rocket science.
What no more breakaways for Gorges because of darn Kaberle weighing him down?
I agree with JGRB, the Emelin-Diaz pairing was quite good...and remember they were being used as a 2nd pairing and were doing quite well. They would be an excellent bottom pairing duo. The idea of Kaberle-Gorges is intriguing.
I would say what was surprised is that, given his size and the type of game he came from, that we wasn't intimidated by bigger forwards. He's not really afraid to take a hit which is important as a D man. IMO it's one of the reasons why Gorges is so effectve because he would literally take a bullet to clear the zone. Most turnovers on D come slight hesitation caused by trying to balance making a play and avoid getting hit.
They weren't very good as a 2nd pair, but they were the best one the team iced except for maybe Kaberle-Emelin. They were good enough at it though that they would have made more than an adequate 3rd pairing if that's what they were called on to do. Which is what they were probably intended on being during the off-season. Lots of things got derailed by Markov not being ready.
Habs would have been wise to look for a legit 2nd pair RD to play with Markov. The Emelin-Diaz pairing was quite good at one point and I agree with you, Diaz needs a hulking type partner to help some shield his weaknesses. Very smart player positionally, no question about that. Along the boards and infront of the net is where he tends to struggle more so.
Gorges-Subban
Markov-?
Emelin-Diaz
Considering Kaberle is likely still in the mix, in terms of balancing things out..
Markov-Subban
Kaberle-Gorges
Emelin-Diaz
Gorges game likely to take a hit from having to cover Kaberle, but it should also make it a useful pairing. Emelin-Diaz despite inexperience are relatively solid defensively. Gorges can play with Subban in the dying minutes and the PK.
Yeah agree for the most part, although I would rather see markov-emelin pairing than gorges-kaberle. I say keep subban and gorges together since they will undoubtedly be together for a long time.
Quote:
Originally Posted by OneSharpMarble
That IS his game, he is a defensive dman, he covers for his partner. This isn't rocket science.
What no more breakaways for Gorges because of darn Kaberle weighing him down?
What gorges game is has nothing to do with the fact that Kaberle should have nothing to do with the second pairing. Unless the team is destined for bottom 3 again.
That IS his game, he is a defensive dman, he covers for his partner. This isn't rocket science.
What no more breakaways for Gorges because of darn Kaberle weighing him down?
Clearly.
That said, Subban is our 2nd best 5-on-5 defenseman. So one of Gorges or Subban should IMO go with Kaberle to kind of shelter him a little better. He's a real good offensive defenseman who's defensive game is easily exploited, so Therrien needs to find a way to spread out the depth a little. Gorges-Subban was one of the best shut down pairings in the league, and I'd hate to break it up... That said, as long as Kaberle is being paired with an inexperienced or weak defensive partner that pairing is going to be exposed and exposed really bad.
That IS his game, he is a defensive dman, he covers for his partner. This isn't rocket science.
What no more breakaways for Gorges because of darn Kaberle weighing him down?
His game involves playing tough minutes against oppositions top offensive players too. Not 'rocket science' to suggest that having Kaberle as a D partner would not help in that area.
