Does anyone think Eakins is praying that the Moosejaw Warriors make the play-offs? Really though they are not a good team,and won't make them. So in march Rielly's career as a Leaf officially begins. Thats something i will be looking forward to.
A good play-off run,and half to full season with Eakins will work wonders for him.
Dont think Eakins is that shallow lol
However it would be nice for him to join the Marlies for their Calder Run for sure.
Great to hear. How is his skating and his willingness to initiate contact compared to before his injury?
His skating has been outstanding as it always has. As far as iniating contact he doesn't shy away from contact but he doesn't go around crushing people. His defensive game is really coming around as well.
His skating has been outstanding as it always has. As far as iniating contact he doesn't shy away from contact but he doesn't go around crushing people. His defensive game is really coming around as well.
Ok, great and thanks for the update. I knew he was not a physical d-man but some times players who have been injured might be a bit hesitant in situations that can end up hurting them. If I remember it correctly he hurt his knee driving the net and ending up slamming into the boards but if he have recovered both physically and mentally then I understand why Leafs where so high on him. Seem to be a friendly person to by going what he say and how he say it in interviews. Cant wait to see him in blue.
His skating has been outstanding as it always has. As far as iniating contact he doesn't shy away from contact but he doesn't go around crushing people. His defensive game is really coming around as well.
Thanks for the update, nice to his d zone play getting better
Ok, great and thanks for the update. I knew he was not a physical d-man but some times players who have been injured might be a bit hesitant in situations that can end up hurting them. If I remember it correctly he hurt his knee driving the net and ending up slamming into the boards but if he have recovered both physically and mentally then I understand why Leafs where so high on him. Seem to be a friendly person to by going what he say and how he say it in interviews. Cant wait to see him in blue.
2 offensive d-man does not make the best pair. But as a PP pair they could probably light up a few goalies.
Why do people keep saying this, doesn't it depend on the players, see Rafalski & Neidermeyer, see Rafalski & Lidstrom and also Suter and Weber just for starters.
This is a favorite misconception of many people because offensive d-men are just presumed to be poor defensively. Quality d-men are just that quality d-men and able to contribute in all 3 zones unlike their pylon bretheren. Luke Schenn was drafted as a quality pylon but he was never a quality d-man because his upside was so limited. I believe most teams with more than 1 quality d-men(offensive) do not pair them together because of the inherent weaknesses of the pylon d-men on that team.
I was so hoping TO could get Schultz this summer because a defense of the future consisting of Schultz, Phanny, Reilly and Gardiner would be awesome. Yes they may have to learn the finer points of defense but when they have the puck they know what to do with it, pylon options are pass to their partner or get it out of their zone.
Quality d-men have more options because of their talents. Pylons don't make all-star teams for a reason.
The whole notion of defense is making sure the puck doesn't go in your net and the best way to do that is get it out of your zone. The best defense is an offense.
Why do people keep saying this, doesn't it depend on the players, see Rafalski & Neidermeyer, see Rafalski & Lidstrom and also Suter and Weber just for starters.
This is a favorite misconception of many people because offensive d-men are just presumed to be poor defensively. Quality d-men are just that quality d-men and able to contribute in all 3 zones unlike their pylon bretheren. Luke Schenn was drafted as a quality pylon but he was never a quality d-man because his upside was so limited. I believe most teams with more than 1 quality d-men(offensive) do not pair them together because of the inherent weaknesses of the pylon d-men on that team.
I was so hoping TO could get Schultz this summer because a defense of the future consisting of Schultz, Phanny, Reilly and Gardiner would be awesome. Yes they may have to learn the finer points of defense but when they have the puck they know what to do with it, pylon options are pass to their partner or get it out of their zone.
Quality d-men have more options because of their talents. Pylons don't make all-star teams for a reason.
The whole notion of defense is making sure the puck doesn't go in your net and the best way to do that is get it out of your zone. The best defense is an offense.
This is exactly it. The whole Offensive D-man/Defensive D-man pairing is really overated.
Why do people keep saying this, doesn't it depend on the players, see Rafalski & Neidermeyer, see Rafalski & Lidstrom and also Suter and Weber just for starters.
This is a favorite misconception of many people because offensive d-men are just presumed to be poor defensively. Quality d-men are just that quality d-men and able to contribute in all 3 zones unlike their pylon bretheren. Luke Schenn was drafted as a quality pylon but he was never a quality d-man because his upside was so limited. I believe most teams with more than 1 quality d-men(offensive) do not pair them together because of the inherent weaknesses of the pylon d-men on that team.
I was so hoping TO could get Schultz this summer because a defense of the future consisting of Schultz, Phanny, Reilly and Gardiner would be awesome. Yes they may have to learn the finer points of defense but when they have the puck they know what to do with it, pylon options are pass to their partner or get it out of their zone.
Quality d-men have more options because of their talents. Pylons don't make all-star teams for a reason.
The whole notion of defense is making sure the puck doesn't go in your net and the best way to do that is get it out of your zone. The best defense is an offense.
Most of the guys you listed are elite 2-way d-man who played together as seasoned veterans. I do hope Reilly and Gardiner develops in that direction but their biggest set of skills is their skating, puck handling and ability to make offensive plays (at least for Reilly).
2 offensive d-man does not make the best pair. But as a PP pair they could probably light up a few goalies.
Quote:
Originally Posted by hobarth
Why do people keep saying this, doesn't it depend on the players, see Rafalski & Neidermeyer, see Rafalski & Lidstrom and also Suter and Weber just for starters.
...
The whole notion of defense is making sure the puck doesn't go in your net and the best way to do that is get it out of your zone. The best defense is an offense.
Because there is only one puck. If two offensive dmen have chemistry and play well together then I'm all for it. But if I'm a leaf fan, I want Rielly to have the puck as much as possible because he can do some creative stuff with it. And the exact same goes for Gardiner. If they are on the same pairing, every moment one guy rushes with the puck is another moment the other guy doesn't have it. I wouldn't want to limit our options especially when we could have them on different pairs. If you think that way then its pretty clear.
