I think this is a huge area that needs to be addressed... Is there a team in this league that puts more pressure on their forwards to score? Shots are always blocked from the point....it's to the point where the D doesn't even shoot anymore...this makes their O so one dimensional...you don't really have to challenge their D and can sit back and drop another player down low to clog up/clear out the slot.
I think this is a huge area that needs to be addressed... Is there a team in this league that puts more pressure on their forwards to score? Shots are always blocked from the point....it's to the point where the D doesn't even shoot anymore...this makes their O so one dimensional...you don't really have to challenge their D and can sit back and drop another player down low to clog up/clear out the slot.
How do you think we can change this?
and this is why mab is in the lineup. For all his deficiencies, he's actually one of the better habs in terms of creating offense from defense.
OB has vastly improved in terms of getting his shots through, but maybe that was a product of playing with markov.... we'll see
and this is why mab is in the lineup. For all his deficiencies, he's actually one of the better habs in terms of creating offense from defense.
OB has vastly improved in terms of getting his shots through, but maybe that was a product of playing with markov.... we'll see
I hadn't checked MAB's +/- until just now and I was horrified to see that he was a -9. His PP performance helps to offset that, but a -9 is more than bad luck. And he has done that while being 14th on the team in terms of ES ice time.
The job just hasn't been getting done defensively when he is out there so I doubt that he will get many opportunities to develop
much offense when the team is at even strength.
O'Byrne is what he is. There isn't going to be much offense there but he fills other role.
Bergeron, O'Byrne, Gorges and Gill are pretty one-dimensional players.
Hamrlik and Spacek have not been anywhere near the expected level in terms of offensive support.
This organization has failed at drafting and developing 2-way defensemen. There's quite a few reasons this team lacks consistency and not being able to ice players that are consistently good at defending and getting the team back in offense mode is a huge reason.
Bergeron, O'Byrne, Gorges and Gill are pretty one-dimensional players.
Hamrlik and Spacek have not been anywhere near the expected level in terms of offensive support.
This organization has failed at drafting and developing 2-way defensemen. There's quite a few reasons this team lacks consistency and not being able to ice players that are consistently good at defending and getting the team back in offense mode is a huge reason.
In recent years : Markov, Andrei
Hainsey, Ron
Souray, Sheldon (not drafted but develloped)
Streit, Mark Subban, PK
?
Streit was 29 when he came along. Hainsey never developped here.
But yeah, goes to show we failed miserably at building a strong backend that can shutdown opposing teams and get the offense going.
We need at least one more guy like that. He's not the ideal solution but if only Spacek could return from that mysterious illness of his, he could lend a hand for now. Without Markov and Spacek the series doesn't look good...
For future years we'll have to hope :
A. Weber gets good enough to make the NHL as a two way defensemen (not just mobile slapshot). We do have some other prospects who could surprise (namely Carle even if its getting late for him and injuries seem to be taking their toil and Bennett, who I think will be AWESOME)
B. We can sign/trade for some good two way D and replace Spacek/Hamrlik/Bergeron along with Subban
C. Can draft a good D this summer.
Gorges and O'Byrne are keepers even if their offense is lacking (Gorges still makes good decisions in all zones and O'Byrne imho seems to have some untapped potential so its not catastrophic ala Komisarek).
We need at least one more guy like that. He's not the ideal solution but if only Spacek could return from that mysterious illness of his, he could lend a hand for now. Without Markov and Spacek the series doesn't look good...
For future years we'll have to hope :
A. Weber gets good enough to make the NHL as a two way defensemen (not just mobile slapshot). We do have some other prospects who could surprise (namely Carle even if its getting late for him and injuries seem to be taking their toil and Bennett, who I think will be AWESOME)
B. We can sign/trade for some good two way D and replace Spacek/Hamrlik/Bergeron along with Subban
C. Can draft a good D this summer.
Gorges and O'Byrne are keepers even if their offense is lacking (Gorges still makes good decisions in all zones and O'Byrne imho seems to have some untapped potential so its not catastrophic ala Komisarek).
Well that's great and all, but this organization still has failed to draft and develop players to make a homegrown, strong backend.
Subban seems to be the only guy that will have a strong, 2-way game. Weber is more of an offensive specialist.
