Niklas "zero hockey sense" Hagman. Some say he`s upgrade over Blake. I say he`s a extremely difficult guy to play with because of low hockey IQ. Well, maybe Saku`s vision can overcome that problem. And yea, the boy can skate.
Niklas "zero hockey sense" Hagman. Some say he`s upgrade over Blake. I say he`s a extremely difficult guy to play with because of low hockey IQ. Well, maybe Saku`s vision can overcome that problem. And yea, the boy can skate.
Blake's hockey IQ isn't exactly a strength either. Nor is Cogliano's. Hagman is a definite upgrade over anyone we've had playing with Koivu and Selanne since we acquired Koivu (apart from the brief periods that Ryan has played there).
Expected it and excited about it. He should be a good fit with the other Finns. The only question now, where does this leave Cogs, who had been playing much better on the 2nd line wing, as opposed to the 3rd line center.
That's actually great, I have never seen that term. I think it's reflecting many team's situation a lot better than the distinction between top- and bottom-6. Top-line, middle six, fourth line. Love it.
Cogliano has looked a lot better on the 2nd line than he ever did centering the Ducks 3rd. Cogliano can't win faceoffs, it's that simple. And he's probably not going to produce any points with DSP/Gordon/McMillan/Beleskey. Meanwhile, I think Hagman can help Koivu in particular, as Saku now would have two wingers who can finish. So I'm kinda split here. If the top line doesn't start scoring soon, I wouldn't be surprised to see Hagman getting a shot on the top line. Room for experiment I guess. Anyways, good pick up!
I like it because he is a veteran. We need guys to stable out the streakiness of the emotions on the ice. When this team gets the idea that they are playing well, then they really start playing well. The slightest sniff of struggle though, and they panic and start rushing decisions in a mad rush to get back to playing well. Symptoms of a young team.
I've always hated playing against Hagman because he made us look bad, now if he could turn it around and do it for the other teams. It's a perfect way to complement the Finns and not add too much additional salary while doing so (only ~$1.2M I think prorated).
He was always a hard worker and scored some beautiful goals. I would consider him a Tuomo Ruutu Lite who doesn't hit. (but will get gritty if need be). Hoping he can add some needed punch.
This way we don't lose any assets and pick up a forward who can improve our depth. Though I'm not quite happy with the shape of the team right now, I certainly think this will be a major help.
He's not far removed from scoring 17, 27, 22, 25 goals he didn't have a bad start this year and he can forecheck, our forecheck SUCKS he will help what sucks is Holland got sent down.
Decent player, just didn't fit in Calgary for some reason.
At $1.5 it's a good pick up for you guys.
I bet he scores about 5 goals in the 4 games against the Flames this season.
details but:
Quote:
Because he was claimed off re-entry waivers, the Ducks and Flames will each have a $1.5-million cap hit with the Ducks paying Hagman a pro-rated amount of about $1.18 million.
(OCR)
bottom line is more important than cap hit for the ducks
I like Hagman, Good player, but we need a Swede. I know you Finns in here will hate me for this, but Pahlsson was boss, and you know it.
Hate you? no way. Påhlsson was great with us and in few years this team probably will have more Swedes than Finns.
Are we going to see Nik against Queens this week? That damn Visa thing might cancel his debut. Maybe last time Toskala just looked too goofy that they didn't give him approved stamp right away
He's not far removed from scoring 17, 27, 22, 25 goals he didn't have a bad start this year and he can forecheck, our forecheck SUCKS he will help what sucks is Holland got sent down.
And also because Blake is injured...he was probably the team's most active forechecker last season.
I seriously cannot describe how happy this trade made me. My favorite player from the Finnish NT in my favorite NHL team! Of course Hagman (Little Hagge in Finland, because his father was one of the first Finnish NHL players) has his faults, but its his energy and the fact that he always gives 110% every shift that wins me. I remember NT games where everybody's just skating around lazily in the Finnish team while Hagge grinds and forechecks like there is no tomorrow.
If he finds the chemistry with the team and more importantly, with RC, he should be a very good addition to the team. Blake v. 2.0.
On a related note, maybe that's why the team started having problems when Blake got injured, they need someone to shame them by showing ten-times the effort in order to get them to try?
I think it's reflecting many team's situation a lot better than the distinction between top- and bottom-6. Top-line, middle six, fourth line. Love it.
