Great in the locker room, great winning attitude, fundamentally sound, able to steal games ...
This guy would be my choice for a backup role, and we could probably get him for a lot less than Jonathan Bernier.
Played for the Lightning last year, which desperately needed goaltenders of any kind to step up. SV% in five games: 0.879. Color me unconvinced.
As for Lack... my price requirements would be the same as those of Bernier. I just suspect that in this case that might actually be feasible. Maybe. Depending on how eager Gillis is to get rid of Luongo.
I'd much rather wait and see if Lou does go to Florida and, if so, attempt to pick up Theodore.
__________________
Remember - when you're a hockey fan, it's not "reckless driving", it's "good forechecking".
"Viqsi, you are our sweet humanist..." --mt-svk on the CBJ boards
Thanks, Howson, for cleaning up MacLean's toxic waste. Welcome, Kekalainen; let's get good things built!
Played for the Lightning last year, which desperately needed goaltenders of any kind to step up. SV% in five games: 0.879. Color me unconvinced.
As for Lack... my price requirements would be the same as those of Bernier. I just suspect that in this case that might actually be feasible. Maybe. Depending on how eager Gillis is to get rid of Luongo.
I'd much rather wait and see if Lou does go to Florida and, if so, attempt to pick up Theodore.
Dwayne Roloson on the same team: 0.886. Mathieu Garon? 0.901 ... Tokarski's save percentage in the AHL? 0.915; as he backstopped one of the most successful teams in professional hockey history.
The kid flat out wins. Why wouldn't we want him for the right price? Or, better yet, why would we overpay for a guy who may or may not (Lack, Bernier) be successful, when we can get a guy who's had more success at every level (except for his short stint in the NHL) for far less?
I don't think a 25 year old Martin Brodeur would have made the Lightning any better last year, as their defense was abysmal. The reason they suffered such setbacks is because everyone figured out Guy Boucher's system and was able to exploit the defensive zone deficiencies that it left. He wasn't able to adjust, and their aging/under capable defense corps wasn't ready for it either.
I was just on the Jackets site catching up on the TV interviews with the new guys and a few others, such as Mason and Wiz. Worth a look to glean first impressions and begin to anticipate camp. As Wiz says, the off season has been much too long!
Thanks for the read. I was also a little surprised we only got like a 4th round pick for Vermette. I know he's no star but cmon. That is pretty much giving him away.
If you read who the blogger covers I think you'll understand why he says JJ isn't even a top 4 defender. He's clouded by his disappointment that JJ didn't play for Carolina. The writer isn't objective making it bunk
Thanks for the read. I was also a little surprised we only got like a 4th round pick for Vermette. I know he's no star but cmon. That is pretty much giving him away.
Hey CLB fans, I don’t mean to come across as beating a dead horse as you all have probably dissected the Nash quite a bit by now, but I’m a long time Ranger fan who just wanted to share an honest assessment of what you guys got back in the trade from what I saw with all the hoopla finally dying down. I got to watch some of these guys grow from boys into men, and you've got a few good ones here.
You’ll love Dubinsky, he is a heart and soul type of player, whose got a powerful motor. When that motor’s on you’ve got one hell of a hockey player out there on the ice, but during his time in NY, he never had an entire season where he played hungry every shift. This guy cares, he wore his heart out on his sleeve, and it was a pleasure watching him grow into a fine young man all these years.
Dubi’s a three zone player, and can go up against the opponents top line, his offensive game is streaky. He can start on fire, I wouldn’t be surprised if he had more goals than Nash the first month of the season, but then he tails off. Dubi never took that extra step that all the fans thought he had in him. During his 24 goal season, he had 10 in the first 13, and 14 the rest of the way. You’ll love the guy off the ice, he’s a workingman and he’s proud of it. He’ll probably remind of you Umberger with a good chunk of city boy in him, as far as his demeanor goes. Great guy off the ice!
On the ice he used to be a top line penalty killer (and a very good one at that) before last season. He’s a very good five on five player, and knows the defensive side of the game very well, being schooled by two of the best in team defense, in coaches Renney and Tortorella. Big strong skater that can handle the puck and bull his way through, to score or make plays. Is most effective offensively when playing with guys that know and are willing to cycle pucks down low. Is good at fighting off checks and making plays.
Artem Anisimov is a very good player defensively, and is silky smooth and skilled with the puck. He can razzle dazzle you with some of his puck skills, was a dominant force in the AHL offensively as a 20 year old, but he hasn’t been able to put those game breaking moves out there on the ice at NHL speeds. Very smart player. Very reliable defensively, is a better penalty killer than Dubinsky, better playmaker, better hands, but he won’t impose himself physically like Dubinsky will.
Like Dubinsky, Artie can be counted on defensively all season long. The two have chemistry together offensively and defensively, a right wing that can play a power game will give you guys a very good second line that can check the opponent's top line.
Artie is inconsistent offensively in the sense that he has off the charts stretches, in both senses of the phrase. Artie can go a 8 game stretch where he could have 2G, 5A.. and not play any powerplay minutes, and then disappear for weeks at a time. Confidence is an issue with Artie, as it can go up and down for him. Dubinsky used to get too high and too low as well, before maturing, so I expect the same for Artie. There is no pressure on him now, and I think the guy who impresses you the most will be Artem Anisimov. The guy has never played 20 mins a night, nor had prime power play minutes, so this is a big opportunity for Artie to step in and cash in.
Artie has a lanky frame and his game resembles Datsyuk or Malkin at times, except that he doesn’t have it in his personality to really take it to other guys and dominate, Artie gets guilty of playing as if he doesn’t want to make a mistake. He played under some very strict defensive minded coaches, I think he finally will get a chance to feel free out there.
Timmy Erixon might be a year or two away to handle top 4 minutes in the NHL, as it stands now he is simply physically immature to play against some of the bigger bodies in the NHL. Very smart player, the scouts on our team have said, the head and the hands are something special. Timmy thinks the game very well, and is a very good passer. During his time with Sweden, both in the Juniors and Men’s World Championship, a teenaged Tim went up against top six opposition every game and shut them down. At the NHL level Tim was only trusted with sheltered minutes, but played very well in the AHL, except that he was out muscled by bigger forwards along the boards.
The Ranger’s culture of play is a slow it down muck it out, grind it out, wear the opposition down, and be tough to play against, and while Tim brings a very good skill set for a defenseman, he needed to grow into man’s body to play for the big club in NY, otherwise everything was good as advertised. This is the one that hurts for the Rangers. If they couldn’t get Kreider in ‘09, the Rangers said they’d have taken Erixon at 19. The Ranger’s traded a servicable third line NHL ready prospect and two 2nd round picks for Timmy, and said that if Tim reentered the draft ‘11, he would be a consensus top ten pick.
I don’t think Tim will be an elite defenseman, but a top 4 defenseman that can play against front line opposition, and chip in 30 points, play mistake free hockey, and play the point on the power play is not out of the question. So all in all, you guys have gotten three polished and well developed players that will give you quality depth, and fill out the NHL roster with some very capable NHL players.
Dubinsky 16-24 Goals 20-28 Assists 36-52 Points
Pros: Power forward with the ability to check top line opposition. Heart and soul player, leader, good penalty killer, hits hard and hits often. Good shot, can lug the puck up the ice very well. Good playmaker. No one will question his effort. Works hard, and knows how to grind.
Cons: Entire game is streaky. Has moments of brilliance, followed up by stretches where he’s behind the play. Gets behind the play mentally during a down stretch, and is offensively inept when not firing on all cylinders, but is generally reliable defensively. Used to lose his composure, plays well when the boys need rallying, but ends up as the guy who puts in the most during a losing effort. After getting to know the player you will question his decision making.
Anisimov 12-20 Goals 25-35 Assists 37-55 Points
Pros: Very high hockey IQ, smart player that plays mistake free hockey. Slick hands, and lots of puck skills, very good passer and playmaker. Reliable penalty killer, and can check the opposition’s top line. Works hard, and knows how to grind.
Cons: Inconsistent offensively. Inaccurate shot, gets knocked off pucks and can’t power through guys. Skates with his head down and has gotten popped for it. Gets down on himself from time to time and seen his game suffer greatly.
Erixon 4-8 Goals 20-26 Assists 24-34 Points
Pros: Great head for the game, matched by a great set of hands. Knows what to do with the puck, plays mistake free hockey. Can quarterback the power play. Good skater, great stick on defense, very sound positionally. Works smart.
Cons: Physically immature, needs more time to grow into a man’s body. Gets beat along the boards, and can’t outmuscle opposition. Needs sheltered minutes and favorable matchups at the NHL level as it stands now. Doesn’t yet know how to grind.
Oh there's also a first round pick. That's on CLB to scout, draft, and develop the player.
Interesting, but I've got some huge issues with it. For one his analysis of the off season after the playoff year left out some important details. Saying JMFJ is barely a top 4 defender with a horrible contract is highly inaccurate, despite his stats. JMFJ has become a bit of a whipping boy amongst that crowd.
Hey CLB fans, I don’t mean to come across as beating a dead horse as you all have probably dissected the Nash quite a bit by now, but I’m a long time Ranger fan who just wanted to share an honest assessment of what you guys got back in the trade from what I saw with all the hoopla finally dying down. I got to watch some of these guys grow from boys into men, and you've got a few good ones here.
IMO we should have held out for one of Kreider or Stepan. Some say McDonagh..
Which of these three would you personally have been willing to part with? All kidding aside I think Nash was worth the current deal plus Kreider in place of the pick.
IMO we should have held out for one of Kreider or Stepan. Some say McDonagh..
Which of these three would you personally have been willing to part with? All kidding aside I think Nash was worth the current deal plus Kreider in place of the pick.
I totally understand wanting a piece back that can play on a No. 1 line since the player going the other way was a legitimate power forward with an elite scoring touch. But I wouldn't give up any of those pieces.
Kreider will end up as an Eric Cole type of player on the low end, a 30-30 big fast power forward that's a match up nightmare.
Stepan is a guy who I see as a poor man's Adam Oates, a 60 point play making center, that eats up second line minutes, crafty and very good defensively.
McDonaugh is on his way to being a No. 1 defenseman, who is just scoring 50 points away from being a Norris candidate. He is that good defensively. (So is Marc Staal btw)
I would've been willing to give up Hagelin, but that's in Anisimov's place, the organization wouldn't however, since the system really utilizes Hagelin's speed. Gordie Clarke, the director of player personnel for the Rangers said in an interview was the problem with what Columbus is asking for Nash is that, they want (NYR) to look like Colombus after the deal, so some of those guys were a non starter.
Dubinsky, Anisimov, and Erixon were not brought into the organization by Gordie Clarke, but rather the previous regime, and Calgary, so the three players you got back were not guys that were developed entirely under the watch of the current regime, the players you mentioned are. I think that played a big role in who was available for Nash and who wasn't.
I totally understand wanting a piece back that can play on a No. 1 line since the player going the other way was a legitimate power forward with an elite scoring touch. But I wouldn't give up any of those pieces.
Kreider will end up as an Eric Cole type of player on the low end, a 30-30 big fast power forward that's a match up nightmare.
Stepan is a guy who I see as a poor man's Adam Oates, a 60 point play making center, that eats up second line minutes, crafty and very good defensively.
McDonaugh is on his way to being a No. 1 defenseman, who is just scoring 50 points away from being a Norris candidate. He is that good defensively. (So is Marc Staal btw)
I would've been willing to give up Hagelin, but that's in Anisimov's place, the organization wouldn't however, since the system really utilizes Hagelin's speed. Gordie Clarke, the director of player personnel for the Rangers said in an interview was the problem with what Columbus is asking for Nash is that, they want (NYR) to look like Colombus after the deal, so some of those guys were a non starter.
Dubinsky, Anisimov, and Erixon were not brought into the organization by Gordie Clarke, but rather the previous regime, and Calgary, so the three players you got back were not guys that were developed entirely under the watch of the current regime, the players you mentioned are. I think that played a big role in who was available for Nash and who wasn't.
I don't think McDonagh would have been touchable in any aspect. I certainly think the value would be fair, but asking the moon is what was pushing a lot of teams away. That being said, I think we could have landed Kreider or Stepan, but the other pieces would have been far less.
I don't think McDonagh would have been touchable in any aspect. I certainly think the value would be fair, but asking the moon is what was pushing a lot of teams away. That being said, I think we could have landed Kreider or Stepan, but the other pieces would have been far less.
I'd have to disagree, if that were the case then it would have happened. Howson shot himself into a corner by revealing the trade request. Brian Burke once told a story to TSN, around 2008, about a player who came to him complaining about ice time. He told the player to stop and consider his words carefully, because if that player was going to ask for a trade, that player was outta there less than week's worth of time, because Burkie does not want a player playing who does not want to be there.
Thats how a guy whose been a GM of three different NHL teams, operates. Howson was his own worst enemy throughout the process, and got a good deal for Nash, but not one player will come close to having a Nash like impact. When a player demands a trade, and its public knowledge, and a PR disaster for an organization, a full value return is very difficult to get.
I'd have to disagree, if that were the case then it would have happened. Howson shot himself into a corner by revealing the trade request. Brian Burke once told a story to TSN, around 2008, about a player who came to him complaining about ice time. He told the player to stop and consider his words carefully, because if that player was going to ask for a trade, that player was outta there less than week's worth of time, because Burkie does not want a player playing who does not want to be there.
Thats how a guy whose been a GM of three different NHL teams, operates. Howson was his own worst enemy throughout the process, and got a good deal for Nash, but not one player will come close to having a Nash like impact. When a player demands a trade, and its public knowledge, and a PR disaster for an organization, a full value return is very difficult to get.
You are preaching to the choir as far as not discerning information. Scott Howson is - and always has been - terrible about keeping his mouth shut on things like this. He gets emotional, which is understanding - most people do.
However, I certainly think that Derek Stepan was certainly touchable in the right circumstance (say, Erixon/Stepan/1st), and I think Chris Kreider might have been an option if it had come down to it (say Kreider/1st). I think Howson not only wanted the best assets he could get, but also wanted some sort of NHL forward in return - which was likely Anisimov. Dubinsky was going to have to be in almost any deal for it to work, which is why, eventually, Stepan and Kreider were no longer considered. There's no way the Rags were going to give up two NHL forwards if either of them were Kreider or Stepan; so Scott had to settle for what he got.
I would argue that, in a non salary cap NHL, you guys would have sent Kreider the other way. Cutting Dubinsky's salary made this trade possible on any fronts.
It goes w/o saying Howson never should have made a
public statement. I think it was posturing saying Nash wants out, don't blame me - but frick I will always be of the opinion that had he done his job, made the trade and then explained later he could have gotten Dubi, Anisimov, Erixon & Kreider.
I'm tired of hearing we can't part with any of these untouchables.. NYR got Rick Nash. By next season end, he will have scored 40 goals and 75 points and your going to be saying holy **** thank God Columbus traded him.
I flew in to MSG to see Cream, no reason I can't get there to see my favorite hockey player
public statement. I think it was posturing saying Nash wants out, don't blame me - but frick I will always be of the opinion that had he done his job, made the trade and then explained later he could have gotten Dubi, Anisimov, Erixon & Kreider.
I'm tired of hearing we can't part with any of these untouchables.. NYR got Rick Nash. By next season end, he will have scored 40 goals and 75 points and your going to be saying holy **** thank God Columbus traded him.
I flew in to MSG to see Cream, no reason I can't get there to see my favorite hockey player
Spoken like a champion, well put, sir. Especially the part about seeing Cream at MSG
I'm interested to see if the line of Foligno - Dubinsky - Umberger gets put together, because that line has the potential to give EVERY line in the NHL fits. They should all chip in 40+ points IMO too.
I'm interested to see if the line of Foligno - Dubinsky - Umberger gets put together, because that line has the potential to give EVERY line in the NHL fits. They should all chip in 40+ points IMO too.
That will be interesting to see. Mainly because Umberger played great with Atkinson toward the end of last season.
Of course Cam could be on a number 1 line with-------whoever.
