It could happen but last game we moved Tangs back to center and ran with Brodie - Widemen but that might have been because we were desperate for a goalie and brodie can hold the puck in better than Tangs
It could happen but last game we moved Tangs back to center and ran with Brodie - Widemen but that might have been because we were desperate for a goalie and brodie can hold the puck in better than Tangs
I hope Backlund plays first line PP, he has deserved it with his play so far.
I hope Backlund plays first line PP, he has deserved it with his play so far.
I would agree we could also see that position in front of the net as a revolving door and give a lot of guys a chance Backlund,Stajan,Stempniak etc (all have played well enough to earn some pp time)
Babchuck has also been cleared for contact, he is traveling to detroit with the team so we may see
Cammy - Tangs - Iggy
Babchuck - Widemen
on the pp
I think what you meant to say is The Anton has now given the world permission to see him play once again, and has deigned to allow the peons to touch him with envy and awe.
Babchuck has also been cleared for contact, he is traveling to detroit with the team so we may see
Cammy - Tangs - Iggy
Babchuck - Widemen
on the pp
That'd be a recipe for disaster. Wideman's not the fastest skater, and Babchuk is Babchuk. If the PKers had a forward who's even remotely quick and the puck gets to the neutral zone, hello SH goal against. If they do use Babs, they should stick him on the 2nd unit with Gio, JBo or Brodie.
I think what you meant to say is The Anton has now given the world permission to see him play once again, and has deigned to allow the peons to touch him with envy and awe.
JBo doesn't have the big shot to be effective on the PP
He doesn't have to. He has the skating ability and puck smarts to actively jump into the slot area to create not only space for himself but for his team-mates as well.
He had 9 PPG in his last year in Florida for a reason. When used correctly he is a huge asset to any powerplay unit.
I don't know, personally I don't like Babchuk. Also, Butler had a very good game on saturday so I would stick with Smith-Butler next game. I like that this does increase the competition so the bottom pairing will really need to up their game.
Jbo actually has a very underrated slap shot. We rarely got to see it under Sutter. I remember one game last year where he almost took the goalies head off. Really though, that's not his game. More often than not he wrists pucks at the night, uses his speed from the point, and will do the back door play on PP.
Butler played great last game, when he is used properly as a #5 defensemen he does rather well. The problem has always been that we either use him as a #2 defensemen or not at all.
Jbo actually has a very underrated slap shot. We rarely got to see it under Sutter. I remember one game last year where he almost took the goalies head off. Really though, that's not his game. More often than not he wrists pucks at the night, uses his speed from the point, and will do the back door play on PP.
My concern would be how accurate is he? He may have a decent shot, but can it be relied on consistently?
My concern would be how accurate is he? He may have a decent shot, but can it be relied on consistently?
Minus this season, we have only seen Jbo in Calgary play for Sutter. Usually dman with great slap shots play on the weak side on the PP as a weapon. There was never any game plan for Bouwmeester to do this as he usually was used as a QB on the 2nd unit. I am not suggesting he has a shot that rivals the Anton's, rather that his shot is underrated. Jbo is an intelligent player and he picks his spots, when I have seen him use it he has been fairly accurate.
Butler played great last game, when he is used properly as a #5 defensemen he does rather well. The problem has always been that we either use him as a #2 defensemen or not at all.
Butler is his own worst enemy, when he isn't playing with confidence issues then he can be quite effective. The problem is, he is prone to some real stinkers and has been ever since he was in Buffalo. If he can limit his mistakes and learn to play more confidence he is an ideal bottom pairing dman.
I also think Smith is every bit as good and personally I slightly prefer him over Butler. The problem is though Butler was the centerpiece we got back in the Regehr deal so expectations will always be high for him.
Butler is his own worst enemy, when he isn't playing with confidence issues then he can be quite effective. The problem is, he is prone to some real stinkers and has been ever since he was in Buffalo. If he can limit his mistakes and learn to play more confidence he is an ideal bottom pairing dman.
I also think Smith is every bit as good and personally I slightly prefer him over Butler. The problem is though Butler was the centerpiece we got back in the Regehr deal so expectations will always be high for him.
I like Smith's passing game much better but Butler is much better around his own net Smith has a hard time moving people around. I agree that Butler makes mistakes but I also think alot of that has to do with playing over 21 minutes a night he just can't do that. I think he is a good #4 defensemen but with the huge separation(crazy we have 3 defensemen over 24 minutes a night and no one else over 17) in our top 3 defensemen and our bottom 3 he fits just fine in the bottom 3
I like Smith's passing game much better but Butler is much better around his own net Smith has a hard time moving people around. I agree that Butler makes mistakes but I also think alot of that has to do with playing over 21 minutes a night he just can't do that. I think he is a good #4 defensemen but with the huge separation(crazy we have 3 defensemen over 24 minutes a night and no one else over 17) in our top 3 defensemen and our bottom 3 he fits just fine in the bottom 3
I agree with your assessments of their games. I just slightly prefer Smith because I feel he offers a better overall package, but no question Butler is superior at clearing the crease. Both of them are very good skaters.
I actually like our top 4 pairings right now and I am glad Brodie is getting more minutes. He is a top 4 dman and although it is very early in his career, he has been solid this season. I think Butler playing the minutes you said can be a good asset to this team providing he can limit his mistakes.
