If by ultimate defensive force you mean one All-Star caliber defenseman pulling the weight of a marginal NHLer, then yes, they would be the ultimate defensive force. Unfortunately, Crosby would simply skate down Tollefsen's wing and proceed to go right around him.
Unless he can get his bearings right and move into Crosby's path. But you're right, Crosby will avoid him as much as he can.
I really wish we hadn't signed Lappy now. But at least we are going to have some trading bait come the deadline.
I think the plan had been to play him at center, but the emergence of JVR, Pyorala, and Betts changed that. The forth line spot is already taken by Asham, so LaPerriere will have to play on a scoring line, and the only one that seems to fit his style is with Gagne and Richards.
I think the plan had been to play him at center, but the emergence of JVR, Pyorala, and Betts changed that. The forth line spot is already taken by Asham, so LaPerriere will have to play on a scoring line, and the only one that seems to fit his style is with Gagne and Richards.
I have no idea why people keep saying Laperriere will have to play on a scoring line. He's played on the fourth line in every preseason game. Asham and Powe are the only guys that have been playing with the scorers in preseason.
hey guys i just picked giroux in a hockey pool around 200th. I know hes been highly touted since the postseason performance, but what kinda numbers can i expect? thanks
I'm not in the business of predicting numbers, but you can expect something a lot better than your typical 200th pick.
I am still a little worried with Giroux being on the "3rd" line if thats the case....They better give him a lot of PP time. This guy is a stud in the making in my opinion and I hate to see him wasted playing with guys that arent anywhere near as talented as he is.....JVR has the talent, but you know he is going to hit a wall at some point this season....most likely, anyway
Question for you fellow Flyers fans: I know it's too early to tell but I took JVR as my last pick but now I see that Pyorala will play on the 2nd line with Richards and Gagne? Is he better or it's simply because he's a RW? I already have Gagne tho so I don't know if I should stick with JVR. Thanks!
And by the way your team looks great. Great fast young team, the only question mark is Emery But hey if he's good then you are definitely on top of the East.
Question for you fellow Flyers fans: I know it's too early to tell but I took JVR as my last pick but now I see that Pyorala will play on the 2nd line with Richards and Gagne? Is he better or it's simply because he's a RW? I already have Gagne tho so I don't know if I should stick with JVR. Thanks!
And by the way your team looks great. Great fast young team, the only question mark is Emery But hey if he's good then you are definitely on top of the East.
JVR is a left wing. Pyörälä is also nominally a left wing but I think they forced him playing the right throughout the camp as that's where the hole is in the line-up.
Another reason for JVR being on the third line is that he worked very well with Giroux. The kids pretty much tore up the ice together in the games against Detroit and New Jersey that I was able to see.
As for Emery, he was quite impressive in training camp.
And a note on Nödl for an earlier poster: Nödl got sent down about a week ago already. Yesterday Grabner was cut from the Canucks and with Pöck already gone in the offseason it means that Vanek is once again the only Austrian in the NHL. :/
*Holmgren has a meeting set up to talk to Betts' agent to try and get a deal done. Betts could be the 4th line center or our 13th forward. I would like him in there to be used for PK time and big face offs.
**Boucher's MRI was negative and he may or may not be healthy in time for the opener. If he needs a little bit of time they may send someone like Powe down for a few games to keep Backlund up.
Overall, I think this team is a serious force. I wouldn't be surprised to see us get off to a bit of a slow start with all the line changes (not a single line or defensive pairing is the same as last season), but come the second half we should be deadly so long as we stay relatively healthy
Last edited by bjorn041386: 09-30-2009 at 07:40 AM.
Powe is one of my favorite players on this team but I hope they sign Betts. Powe to me at least serves a different role that Betts will. I'd rather see Powe be the 13th for a while until an injury comes than see them not sign Betts and stick Powe on the 4th line center. He's a great energy guy who I think shines brightest in a 3rd line winger role. Betts is a big body shot blocking pker who can win a lot of faceoffs. I see him as more of a 4th line specialist. I can see him alleviating minutes for a guy like Richards. I'm confident Homer can make something happen.
I really like the idea of rotating the 6th and 7th D, Stevens confirmed this plan. Syvret against light and faster teams, Tollefsen against the heavy and physical ones. I think we're going to have a very good defense against any team
I'm also in favor of having an active 7th, no matter who it is. This way he'll stay in shape, and feel like he's part of the team.
Didn't Giroux play RW on the top 2 lines throughout much of the playoffs last year? He was pretty impressive as I recall; surprised no one is placing him back there. I guess he's a natural C but seems a waste to put a guy like that on the third line. Anyway, you guys have some pretty sick talent coming online. Should make for a brutal rivalry the next few years.
Didn't Giroux play RW on the top 2 lines throughout much of the playoffs last year? He was pretty impressive as I recall; surprised no one is placing him back there. I guess he's a natural C but seems a waste to put a guy like that on the third line. Anyway, you guys have some pretty sick talent coming online. Should make for a brutal rivalry the next few years.
Giroux actually came up as a RW, but Stevens likes him as a Center.
After watching Giroux play, I really can't argue with Steven's on that one.
Didn't Giroux play RW on the top 2 lines throughout much of the playoffs last year? He was pretty impressive as I recall; surprised no one is placing him back there. I guess he's a natural C but seems a waste to put a guy like that on the third line. Anyway, you guys have some pretty sick talent coming online. Should make for a brutal rivalry the next few years.
Giroux is actually a natural winger, but he did so well as a center, and it plays so well to his skillset.
Our top 3 lines will see pretty even minutes at even strength as well.
Didn't Giroux play RW on the top 2 lines throughout much of the playoffs last year? He was pretty impressive as I recall; surprised no one is placing him back there. I guess he's a natural C but seems a waste to put a guy like that on the third line. Anyway, you guys have some pretty sick talent coming online. Should make for a brutal rivalry the next few years.
Maybe you guys should tank for another 3 years to re-up your prospect pool? Die penguin die.
I am still a little worried with Giroux being on the "3rd" line if thats the case....They better give him a lot of PP time. This guy is a stud in the making in my opinion and I hate to see him wasted playing with guys that arent anywhere near as talented as he is.....JVR has the talent, but you know he is going to hit a wall at some point this season....most likely, anyway
I'm actually pretty stoked about that line. We'll see if it all works out -- still think we'll end up with Giroux in the top 6 when we have an injury to one of those wingers -- but I thought Giroux and JVR seemed to have some chemistry when I saw them together. I'd rather have Powe playing the wing with them, but Asham isn't useless with the puck and will help the kids with physical play (might be the idea).
Personally I'd rather have Powe then any of the other bottom six guys on JVR and Giroux's wing. Out of Betts, Powe, Lappy, Carcillo, and Asham he has the best ability to put up points while still being very physical.
Personally I'd rather have Powe then any of the other bottom six guys on JVR and Giroux's wing. Out of Betts, Powe, Lappy, Carcillo, and Asham he has the best ability to put up points while still being very physical.
Giroux and Asham had chemistry together. That's something that was obviously taken into consideration. Asham is also a more physical player than Powe and I'm sure another idea to having him on the lines is to ensure that no one takes liberties with Giroux or JVR. I actually like that line and I think it's one that is going to surprise.
Giroux and Asham had chemistry together. That's something that was obviously taken into consideration. Asham is also a more physical player than Powe and I'm sure another idea to having him on the lines is to ensure that no one takes liberties with Giroux or JVR. I actually like that line and I think it's one that is going to surprise.
lol, i remember that goal!
would it be feasible to switch giroux to RW and have betts center 3rd line?
Not at this point. Giroux will be at center for a while unless there's an injury in the top 6. Also I'd really not call it a 3rd line..more of a 1c. All 3 lines will get close to equal ice time.
But hey if he's good then you are definitely on top of the East.
