Staal: at age 23 is a prime time defensive stud. How tall is he now? A hard working kid that was raised on a Sod farm, used to working long and hard hours. He has brought that to the NHL,logs a ton of minutes, makes great outlets, hits hard and skate great. He was a phenom in the OHL and was drafted in the first round. HE absolutely is a top 2 d man in the NHL on any team. To make it better he is just coming into to his prime.
Del Zotto: well what can you say, at age 19 is playing top PP QB minutes for an original six team and making passing that I think he has eyes in he back of his head! did you all see that pass last night to Drury on the right side? how the heck did he see captain America? Anyway, Del Zotts, can skate, shoot, pass, had great vision, can play physical and has a good hockey IQ. Needs to get stronger and in time with his man strength coming he should be a good d man eventually. right now he is a real good offensive defenseman. Very worthy of his first round selection. I would put him in just about any top 6 in league and maybe any top 4
Girardi: Say what you want about him but he is a solid solid defenseman that any top six would take. He has good size, strong on his skates, has a blast of a shot and he is top 7 in blocked shots in the NHL right now? King Lundqvist must love the guy. Try blocking shots in the NHL folks? anyone see Jack Hillen get his face blown open by a slapper the other night??? Just by doing that I consider Girardi real tough. Ok he turned a cheek when Gabby was getting mauled the other night. No excuses on that Dan, maybe it was a brain fart. legit top six anywhere. can make a case for a top four on just about any team. How old is he now? 25-26? just entering his prime with such a low cap hit. Nice home grown draft pick. The king has to value him big time
Redden: ahh the controversy. If he was making 1.5 million no one in the NHL or tri state area would have a problemo with him. A one time 2nd overall draft pick for the NYI just after the Woonsocket rocket Bryan Berard... Grew up on the farms in the middle of Canada, another tough Western Canadian farm boy. No longer a boy, he has seen everything the NHL as to offer. Used to be a NHL ALL star year after year. Still makes good passes, plays good positionally, blocks shots and skates well enough. What is the problem? His salary eating a ton of space, yes we understand this. But there is no debate he can play on any NHL top six and in a pinch can log big minutes if any of your top four go down.
Roszival: 33 year old listed at 6'2 205 lbs that averages 30-40 points a season with a + 41 for his career. I'll take that , thank you very much. was + 45 on the rangers his first (2) seasons, played to -10 in over 100 games with the rangers the last (2) seasons. With all those minutes and with blue shirt fans saying how poor the defense is even at a -10 Rosy is not as bad as the fans think. Making a large salary, yes we know taking up space but there is no debate he is a top six anyday of the week and you can debate for him being a top 4 on any team. He has a great shot and has alittle snarl as well.
Matt Gilroy: all everything BU hobey baker award winner rounding out the blue shirts top six. The guy can fly, has an accurate shot and pretty damm good size. He is having trouble adjusting in his rookie season but overall I would take him on my top six and not look back. Tort's I feel is doing a good job with him, he is a thoroughbred that is learning the ropes. The blueshirts may sign him to a three year manageable deal and reap the benefits in a year or two.
so there it is folks: This top six is very very very very good. Everyone of them are legit NHL players. Personally, the team defense before last night was 5th best in the eastern conference and 11th in the NHL. They have to get the lions share of the credit why the rangers are ranked very well but constantly they are getting lambasted by NYR fans themselves. Look around the NHL, look at teams top six and adjust the colored glasses to which you all looking through and be objective. There are a ton of NHL teams the blue shirts have better defensive's than. Take a glance at the NYI for example: Streit, Andy Macdonald, Bruno Gervais, Andy Sutton, Dustin Kohn (who), and Witt. Just take the few minutes and look at NHL lineups folks, the blue shirts have a very formidable top six whom are very underrated and under appreciated. To give the lions share of credit to the goal tender when they win and then blame the defensive team and not the goalie when they lose is just an injustice to the top six. Just by example of last night loss who really was to blame? This defense is playoff caliber.
Personally, its a long NHL season, the rangers will get into the playoffs, their defense is deep, they have an all world goalie, all world sniper and some players up front who are winners. The blue shirts have been very very lucky with injuries I would say since the King has arrived on the scene in 2005-2006 That I feel is the only way the rangers don't make the dance. Once they make the dance, with that defensive top six, and a good goalie anything can happen. Play disciplined and the PP could wins some games.
Staal: at age 23 is a prime time defensive stud. How tall is he now? A hard working kid that was raised on a Sod farm, used to working long and hard hours. He has brought that to the NHL,logs a ton of minutes, makes great outlets, hits hard and skate great. He was a phenom in the OHL and was drafted in the first round. HE absolutely is a top 2 d man in the NHL on any team. To make it better he is just coming into to his prime.
Del Zotto: well what can you say, at age 19 is playing top PP QB minutes for an original six team and making passing that I think he has eyes in he back of his head! did you all see that pass last night to Drury on the right side? how the heck did he see captain America? Anyway, Del Zotts, can skate, shoot, pass, had great vision, can play physical and has a good hockey IQ. Needs to get stronger and in time with his man strength coming he should be a good d man eventually. right now he is a real good offensive defenseman. Very worthy of his first round selection. I would put him in just about any top 6 in league and maybe any top 4
Girardi: Say what you want about him but he is a solid solid defenseman that any top six would take. He has good size, strong on his skates, has a blast of a shot and he is top 7 in blocked shots in the NHL right now? King Lundqvist must love the guy. Try blocking shots in the NHL folks? anyone see Jack Hillen get his face blown open by a slapper the other night??? Just by doing that I consider Girardi real tough. Ok he turned a cheek when Gabby was getting mauled the other night. No excuses on that Dan, maybe it was a brain fart. legit top six anywhere. can make a case for a top four on just about any team. How old is he now? 25-26? just entering his prime with such a low cap hit. Nice home grown draft pick. The king has to value him big time
Redden: ahh the controversy. If he was making 1.5 million no one in the NHL or tri state area would have a problemo with him. A one time 2nd overall draft pick for the NYI just after the Woonsocket rocket Bryan Berard... Grew up on the farms in the middle of Canada, another tough Western Canadian farm boy. No longer a boy, he has seen everything the NHL as to offer. Used to be a NHL ALL star year after year. Still makes good passes, plays good positionally, blocks shots and skates well enough. What is the problem? His salary eating a ton of space, yes we understand this. But there is no debate he can play on any NHL top six and in a pinch can log big minutes if any of your top four go down.
Roszival: 33 year old listed at 6'2 205 lbs that averages 30-40 points a season with a + 41 for his career. I'll take that , thank you very much. was + 45 on the rangers his first (2) seasons, played to -10 in over 100 games with the rangers the last (2) seasons. With all those minutes and with blue shirt fans saying how poor the defense is even at a -10 Rosy is not as bad as the fans think. Making a large salary, yes we know taking up space but there is no debate he is a top six anyday of the week and you can debate for him being a top 4 on any team. He has a great shot and has alittle snarl as well.
Matt Gilroy: all everything BU hobey baker award winner rounding out the blue shirts top six. The guy can fly, has an accurate shot and pretty damm good size. He is having trouble adjusting in his rookie season but overall I would take him on my top six and not look back. Tort's I feel is doing a good job with him, he is a thoroughbred that is learning the ropes. The blueshirts may sign him to a three year manageable deal and reap the benefits in a year or two.
so there it is folks: This top six is very very very very good. Everyone of them are legit NHL players. Personally, the team defense before last night was 5th best in the eastern conference and 11th in the NHL. They have to get the lions share of the credit why the rangers are ranked very well but constantly they are getting lambasted by NYR fans themselves. Look around the NHL, look at teams top six and adjust the colored glasses to which you all looking through and be objective. There are a ton of NHL teams the blue shirts have better defensive's than. Take a glance at the NYI for example: Streit, Andy Macdonald, Bruno Gervais, Andy Sutton, Dustin Kohn (who), and Witt. Just take the few minutes and look at NHL lineups folks, the blue shirts have a very formidable top six whom are very underrated and under appreciated. To give the lions share of credit to the goal tender when they win and then blame the defensive team and not the goalie when they lose is just an injustice to the top six. Just by example of last night loss who really was to blame? This defense is playoff caliber.
Personally, its a long NHL season, the rangers will get into the playoffs, their defense is deep, they have an all world goalie, all world sniper and some players up front who are winners. The blue shirts have been very very lucky with injuries I would say since the King has arrived on the scene in 2005-2006 That I feel is the only way the rangers don't make the dance. Once they make the dance, with that defensive top six, and a good goalie anything can happen. Play disciplined and the PP could wins some games.
Staal: at age 23 is a prime time defensive stud. How tall is he now? A hard working kid that was raised on a Sod farm, used to working long and hard hours. He has brought that to the NHL,logs a ton of minutes, makes great outlets, hits hard and skate great. He was a phenom in the OHL and was drafted in the first round. HE absolutely is a top 2 d man in the NHL on any team. To make it better he is just coming into to his prime.
Del Zotto: well what can you say, at age 19 is playing top PP QB minutes for an original six team and making passing that I think he has eyes in he back of his head! did you all see that pass last night to Drury on the right side? how the heck did he see captain America? Anyway, Del Zotts, can skate, shoot, pass, had great vision, can play physical and has a good hockey IQ. Needs to get stronger and in time with his man strength coming he should be a good d man eventually. right now he is a real good offensive defenseman. Very worthy of his first round selection. I would put him in just about any top 6 in league and maybe any top 4
Girardi: Say what you want about him but he is a solid solid defenseman that any top six would take. He has good size, strong on his skates, has a blast of a shot and he is top 7 in blocked shots in the NHL right now? King Lundqvist must love the guy. Try blocking shots in the NHL folks? anyone see Jack Hillen get his face blown open by a slapper the other night??? Just by doing that I consider Girardi real tough. Ok he turned a cheek when Gabby was getting mauled the other night. No excuses on that Dan, maybe it was a brain fart. legit top six anywhere. can make a case for a top four on just about any team. How old is he now? 25-26? just entering his prime with such a low cap hit. Nice home grown draft pick. The king has to value him big time
Redden: ahh the controversy. If he was making 1.5 million no one in the NHL or tri state area would have a problemo with him. A one time 2nd overall draft pick for the NYI just after the Woonsocket rocket Bryan Berard... Grew up on the farms in the middle of Canada, another tough Western Canadian farm boy. No longer a boy, he has seen everything the NHL as to offer. Used to be a NHL ALL star year after year. Still makes good passes, plays good positionally, blocks shots and skates well enough. What is the problem? His salary eating a ton of space, yes we understand this. But there is no debate he can play on any NHL top six and in a pinch can log big minutes if any of your top four go down.
Roszival: 33 year old listed at 6'2 205 lbs that averages 30-40 points a season with a + 41 for his career. I'll take that , thank you very much. was + 45 on the rangers his first (2) seasons, played to -10 in over 100 games with the rangers the last (2) seasons. With all those minutes and with blue shirt fans saying how poor the defense is even at a -10 Rosy is not as bad as the fans think. Making a large salary, yes we know taking up space but there is no debate he is a top six anyday of the week and you can debate for him being a top 4 on any team. He has a great shot and has alittle snarl as well.
Matt Gilroy: all everything BU hobey baker award winner rounding out the blue shirts top six. The guy can fly, has an accurate shot and pretty damm good size. He is having trouble adjusting in his rookie season but overall I would take him on my top six and not look back. Tort's I feel is doing a good job with him, he is a thoroughbred that is learning the ropes. The blueshirts may sign him to a three year manageable deal and reap the benefits in a year or two.
so there it is folks: This top six is very very very very good. Everyone of them are legit NHL players. Personally, the team defense before last night was 5th best in the eastern conference and 11th in the NHL. They have to get the lions share of the credit why the rangers are ranked very well but constantly they are getting lambasted by NYR fans themselves. Look around the NHL, look at teams top six and adjust the colored glasses to which you all looking through and be objective. There are a ton of NHL teams the blue shirts have better defensive's than. Take a glance at the NYI for example: Streit, Andy Macdonald, Bruno Gervais, Andy Sutton, Dustin Kohn (who), and Witt. Just take the few minutes and look at NHL lineups folks, the blue shirts have a very formidable top six whom are very underrated and under appreciated. To give the lions share of credit to the goal tender when they win and then blame the defensive team and not the goalie when they lose is just an injustice to the top six. Just by example of last night loss who really was to blame? This defense is playoff caliber.
Personally, its a long NHL season, the rangers will get into the playoffs, their defense is deep, they have an all world goalie, all world sniper and some players up front who are winners. The blue shirts have been very very lucky with injuries I would say since the King has arrived on the scene in 2005-2006 That I feel is the only way the rangers don't make the dance. Once they make the dance, with that defensive top six, and a good goalie anything can happen. Play disciplined and the PP could wins some games.
Interesting post.. You bring up some good points about the Rangers defenseman and looking back at it again.... These guys are quality NHL defenseman.... Granted, there is no Bobby Orr in the group... Just need to breathe and take a step back and realize the Rangers do have a pretty good group of defenseman, they are still right in the playoff hunt and if they get hot and win some games in a row all will be well with a solid playoff position
There is talent on this team... The defense listed above coupled with Lundy in net and the quality NHL forwards they have in Gabby, Drury, Callahan, Avery, Prospal, Dubinsky, AA and etc should be good enough to be a solid playoff team....
Let's take a look:
Girardi: Say what you want about him but he is a solid solid defenseman that any top six would take. He has good size, strong on his skates, has a blast of a shot and he is top 7 in blocked shots in the NHL right now? King Lundqvist must love the guy. Try blocking shots in the NHL folks? anyone see Jack Hillen get his face blown open by a slapper the other night??? Just by doing that I consider Girardi real tough. Ok he turned a cheek when Gabby was getting mauled the other night. No excuses on that Dan, maybe it was a brain fart. legit top six anywhere. can make a case for a top four on just about any team. How old is he now? 25-26? just entering his prime with such a low cap hit. Nice home grown draft pick. The king has to value him big time
He does not have a blast of a shot. he has a very weak slapper. But he does have a decent wrist shot. He was also never drafted.
Nice evaluation. A little "rosy (rozy?) colored glasses", though?
I'd say that Girardi and Rozy are given too much leeway. Girardi, for being a #2/#4 defender needs to be better. Considering he's one of our more physical (what passes for such around here) defenders, he's not getting the job done. We need a more physical presence and I would take Mara over Girardi any day. R
Rozy has those great stats totally inflated by his play with Jagr. He was so addicted to playing with Jags that he developed complete brain lock and would only pass to #68. He forgot how to shoot or do anything else on his own. I agree that he is NHL caliber, but he has somehow lost his way and needs a change of scenery.
Gilroy has been disappointing and perhaps should have been given some time in the AHL to develop more.
Staal - a top pairing defenceman that could use alot more snarl to his game. Forget about trying to add offence, it's not there and probably never will be. Not a bad thing. Focus on what you do well and add some snarl and he will be an absolute legit #2 on almost any team.
Del Zotto - A point producing defenceman in the same mold as a Mike Green. Solid skater (not great but solid) Great vision and passing ability make him very dangerous both on the rush and on the PP. Defensively he has ALOT to work on positionally. Is just 19 so that will come with experience. Likes to throw the body around and when he matures will be smarter with his choices. A top pair defenceman in the making.
Girardi - He blocks shots....ALL DEFENCEMEN BLOCK SHOTS the fact that he's 7th on the list means that we give up a ton of shot attempts. He's a soft defender that is poor positionally. Easily out-muscled and pushed off the puck. What he allowed to happen to his star player in not a forgivable offence. He's a 3rd pairing defender at best. One that I would like to see gone sooner rather than later.
Rosy - A top 4 defenceman. I'm not a big fan of his, but he can skate and he's better than average when it comes to keeping teams honest with his offence. Not at all physical along the boards or in front of the goalie, He doesn't handle a heavy forecheck very well and because of that he is VERY prone to coughing the puck up and the most inopportune times.
Gilroy - Still a young defenceman that is maturing much in the same way that Del Zotto is, however, while one is developing his offensive game (Del Zotto) Gilroy has spent the better part of this season learning the defensive side of the game. A soft defenceman that can never be looked at to provide any muscle or protection for his goalie. As it looks right now, he's a bottom pairing defenceman that also falls into the catagory of Trade bait. With the depth that we have, he's excess baggage and not the best option for this team going forward.
Redden - A physically aging defenceman that has seen his game deterioriate for 5 straight seasons. Post lockout has been on decline and has not been able to grasp today's non clutch and grab style. Slow footed and soft he's easily the most overpaid 6th defenceman in the history of the sport. Provides no leadership or offensive capabilities whatsoever. Medicore in his own zone, invisible along the boards and in front of Henrik. An absolute non-factor on this team.
The defense is okay, not great, the forwards are the real problem, have been for awhile. What would our 'top 6' forwards look like and where would they rank amongst all the teams?
The defense is okay, not great, the forwards are the real problem, have been for awhile. What would our 'top 6' forwards look like and where would they rank amongst all the teams?
top 6 in my opinion on the Rangers: Gaborik, Prospal, Avery, Callahan, Dubinsky, Drury....
Those top 6 are not too bad at all... I would think probably be ranked somewhere in the middle of the NHL...?? combined this with the defenseman listed and Lundy in nets this team should be a solid playoff team.... The NHL talent is there.....
top 6 in my opinion on the Rangers: Gaborik, Prospal, Avery, Callahan, Dubinsky, Drury....
Those top 6 are not too bad at all... I would think probably be ranked somewhere in the middle of the NHL...?? combined this with the defenseman listed and Lundy in nets this team should be a solid playoff team.... The NHL talent is there.....
Drury's a borderline 2nd liner right now, and thats if they got him some other players who are legit top 6 forwards. He was handed Kotalik.
I like Avery, but he's not a 2nd liner. Unless we're playing Dallas
And None of these guys are hurting teams with a physical game if theyre not scoring. Avery, Cally and maybe even Dubi play the body, but they don't intimidate the teams we're losing to. We have one legitimate scorer in Gaby, one legit playmaker in Prospal, and a whole lot of 'what are they gonna give us tonight?'
Staal: at age 23 is a prime time defensive stud. How tall is he now? A hard working kid that was raised on a Sod farm, used to working long and hard hours. He has brought that to the NHL,logs a ton of minutes, makes great outlets, hits hard and skate great. He was a phenom in the OHL and was drafted in the first round. HE absolutely is a top 2 d man in the NHL on any team. To make it better he is just coming into to his prime.
Del Zotto: well what can you say, at age 19 is playing top PP QB minutes for an original six team and making passing that I think he has eyes in he back of his head! did you all see that pass last night to Drury on the right side? how the heck did he see captain America? Anyway, Del Zotts, can skate, shoot, pass, had great vision, can play physical and has a good hockey IQ. Needs to get stronger and in time with his man strength coming he should be a good d man eventually. right now he is a real good offensive defenseman. Very worthy of his first round selection. I would put him in just about any top 6 in league and maybe any top 4
Girardi: Say what you want about him but he is a solid solid defenseman that any top six would take. He has good size, strong on his skates, has a blast of a shot and he is top 7 in blocked shots in the NHL right now? King Lundqvist must love the guy. Try blocking shots in the NHL folks? anyone see Jack Hillen get his face blown open by a slapper the other night??? Just by doing that I consider Girardi real tough. Ok he turned a cheek when Gabby was getting mauled the other night. No excuses on that Dan, maybe it was a brain fart. legit top six anywhere. can make a case for a top four on just about any team. How old is he now? 25-26? just entering his prime with such a low cap hit. Nice home grown draft pick. The king has to value him big time
Redden: ahh the controversy. If he was making 1.5 million no one in the NHL or tri state area would have a problemo with him. A one time 2nd overall draft pick for the NYI just after the Woonsocket rocket Bryan Berard... Grew up on the farms in the middle of Canada, another tough Western Canadian farm boy. No longer a boy, he has seen everything the NHL as to offer. Used to be a NHL ALL star year after year. Still makes good passes, plays good positionally, blocks shots and skates well enough. What is the problem? His salary eating a ton of space, yes we understand this. But there is no debate he can play on any NHL top six and in a pinch can log big minutes if any of your top four go down.
Roszival: 33 year old listed at 6'2 205 lbs that averages 30-40 points a season with a + 41 for his career. I'll take that , thank you very much. was + 45 on the rangers his first (2) seasons, played to -10 in over 100 games with the rangers the last (2) seasons. With all those minutes and with blue shirt fans saying how poor the defense is even at a -10 Rosy is not as bad as the fans think. Making a large salary, yes we know taking up space but there is no debate he is a top six anyday of the week and you can debate for him being a top 4 on any team. He has a great shot and has alittle snarl as well.
Matt Gilroy: all everything BU hobey baker award winner rounding out the blue shirts top six. The guy can fly, has an accurate shot and pretty damm good size. He is having trouble adjusting in his rookie season but overall I would take him on my top six and not look back. Tort's I feel is doing a good job with him, he is a thoroughbred that is learning the ropes. The blueshirts may sign him to a three year manageable deal and reap the benefits in a year or two.
so there it is folks: This top six is very very very very good. Everyone of them are legit NHL players. Personally, the team defense before last night was 5th best in the eastern conference and 11th in the NHL. They have to get the lions share of the credit why the rangers are ranked very well but constantly they are getting lambasted by NYR fans themselves. Look around the NHL, look at teams top six and adjust the colored glasses to which you all looking through and be objective. There are a ton of NHL teams the blue shirts have better defensive's than. Take a glance at the NYI for example: Streit, Andy Macdonald, Bruno Gervais, Andy Sutton, Dustin Kohn (who), and Witt. Just take the few minutes and look at NHL lineups folks, the blue shirts have a very formidable top six whom are very underrated and under appreciated. To give the lions share of credit to the goal tender when they win and then blame the defensive team and not the goalie when they lose is just an injustice to the top six. Just by example of last night loss who really was to blame? This defense is playoff caliber.
Personally, its a long NHL season, the rangers will get into the playoffs, their defense is deep, they have an all world goalie, all world sniper and some players up front who are winners. The blue shirts have been very very lucky with injuries I would say since the King has arrived on the scene in 2005-2006 That I feel is the only way the rangers don't make the dance. Once they make the dance, with that defensive top six, and a good goalie anything can happen. Play disciplined and the PP could wins some games.
Issues with the bolded parts.
1) San Jose w/ Blake and Boyle? Chicago with Keith and Seabrook? Flyers w/ Pronger and Timmonen? Nashville with Weber and Suter? Questionable...
2) No, he doesn't. Further, he rarely gets it through, which is more of a problem than his power.
3) OF COURSE! But let's be realistic.
4) No. Not with his speed (or lack thereof). Could he keep up with Chicago and San Jose's pace? Nope.
5) Are we watching the same player?
6) Wikipedia and stats aside, they're really not. Yes, as a team our defense ranks well, but it's ranked higher. The one constant? Henrik. The scoring chances our defense gives up are much more telling than the number goals. Quite often, they're clueless in our zone.
top 6 in my opinion on the Rangers: Gaborik, Prospal, Avery, Callahan, Dubinsky, Drury....
Those top 6 are not too bad at all... I would think probably be ranked somewhere in the middle of the NHL...?? combined this with the defenseman listed and Lundy in nets this team should be a solid playoff team.... The NHL talent is there.....
Can I ask if you're surprised that we have scoring issues?
Because our top six sucks:
Gaborik - 1st liner
Prospal - 2nd liner
Dubinsky - 2nd liner
Callahan - 3rd liner
Avery - 3rd liner
Drury - 3rd liner
We have one real first line player on our team. On a good team, Callahan, Avery, and Drury don't sniff the top two lines.
Can I ask if you're surprised that we have scoring issues?
Because our top six sucks:
Gaborik - 1st liner
Prospal - 2nd liner
Dubinsky - 2nd liner
Callahan - 3rd liner
Avery - 3rd liner
Drury - 3rd liner
We have one real first line player on our team. On a good team, Callahan, Avery, and Drury don't sniff the top two lines.
Seriously. I struggle to think of teams that have it worse than us within their forward ranks. Phoenix? Columbus? Minnesota? Edmonton? St. Louis? Buffalo? Nashville? Toronto?
A good number of those teams have SOLID young prospects playing for them that look to be legit. As do we, but those teams aren't exactly tearing up the league right now. Just as we aren't.
Can I ask if you're surprised that we have scoring issues?
Because our top six sucks:
Gaborik - 1st liner
Prospal - 2nd liner
Dubinsky - 2nd liner
Callahan - 3rd liner
Avery - 3rd liner
Drury - 3rd liner
We have one real first line player on our team. On a good team, Callahan, Avery, and Drury don't sniff the top two lines.
According to Brian Burke, Callahan and Drury are good enough to make Team USA... I would think anyone making Team USA can play as a top 6 player in the NHL... No? Avery maybe the only question but he is not a bad choice if need be.. But having a superstar in Gaborik might offset having Avery and as possible questionable 2nd liner...
I think the initial post is extraordinarily optimistic and overly complimentary to our current 6 defensemen.
The only 2 I hope are on the backline longterm are Staal and Del Zotto....and Del Zotto is only 19 and certainly going through growing pains on the defensive end.
Seriously. I struggle to think of teams that have it worse than us within their forward ranks. Phoenix? Columbus? Minnesota? Edmonton? St. Louis? Buffalo? Nashville? Toronto?
A good number of those teams have SOLID young prospects playing for them that look to be legit. As do we, but those teams aren't exactly tearing up the league right now. Just as we aren't.
Horrible problem to have.
What about the Isles? I don't see any Gaborik's flying out there at the Mausoleum...
According to Brian Burke, Callahan and Drury are good enough to make Team USA... I would think anyone making Team USA can play as a top 6 player in the NHL... No? Avery maybe the only question but he is not a bad choice if need be.. But having a superstar in Gaborik might offset having Avery and as possible questionable 2nd liner...
Team USA is not very good this upcoming olympic year, so no, I wouldnt agree with that.
Not to mention you cant stick a whole bunch of top 6 forwards on a team. Theres roles in an Olympic squad, just like any other team.
According to Brian Burke, Callahan and Drury are good enough to make Team USA... I would think anyone making Team USA can play as a top 6 player in the NHL... No? Avery maybe the only question but he is not a bad choice if need be.. But having a superstar in Gaborik might offset having Avery and as possible questionable 2nd liner...
Thats because Burke is pulling a Herb Brooks, hes trying to pick the right players instead of the most talented ones.
What about the Isles? I don't see any Gaborik's flying out there at the Mausoleum...
Obviously. But they're in the midst of a major re-build; I'm not going to criticize them for that. They've got the kids...Tavares, Okposo, Bailey. They'll be legit top 6 players.
I think the bigger issue is that amongst our top six, there's only ONE legit first-line player.
I think the initial post is extraordinarily optimistic and overly complimentary to our current 6 defensemen.
The only 2 I hope are on the backline longterm are Staal and Del Zotto....and Del Zotto is only 19 and certainly going through growing pains on the defensive end.
look around the NHL, the blue shirts top six are very good
