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I don't get this. I know Oilers' management is not the best, but still.
Unlike most goons, Stortini actually can play hockey, so he's not actively hurting his team by being on the roster. Strictly fourth-line stuff, mind, and he might very well clear waivers because he is purely a fourth-liner and most teams have better players.
But the Oilers are not most teams. Why waive Stortini when you have McIntyre and especially, JF Jacques on the roster? Jacques may hit people, but he's a serious candidate for worst overall hockey player in the NHL, especially if you disqualify pure goons. Stortini is no great shakes, but he is flat out a better player than Jacques, nevermind the extracurricular fisticuffs.
I don't get this. I know Oilers' management is not the best, but still.
Unlike most goons, Stortini actually can play hockey, so he's not actively hurting his team by being on the roster. Strictly fourth-line stuff, mind, and he might very well clear waivers because he is purely a fourth-liner and most teams have better players.
But the Oilers are not most teams. Why waive Stortini when you have McIntyre and especially, JF Jacques on the roster? Jacques may hit people, but he's a serious candidate for worst overall hockey player in the NHL, especially if you disqualify pure goons. Stortini is no great shakes, but he is flat out a better player than Jacques, nevermind the extracurricular fisticuffs.
smac can fight thats why hes here, JFJ is useless agreed but he seems to be the managements latest love intrest...also stortini's embarassing fighting skills do more damage then good so i can see why he was let go
After he got absolutely embarrassed by Barch before the allstar break, he is done. Can't fight, and when he does, he doesn't get the momentum on the Oilers side due to him either getting his ass kicked or hugging out the fight. Also gets distracted on the ice too much and ignores the play at times. Does work his ass off though most games. The one thing he has going for him.
What the heck happened in that "fight"? Even by Stortini standards that was a brutal showing...is he injured?
How much have you seen him play in the last couple of years (be honest here)? Stortini is NOT an enforcer. He's a guy who will hit, won't be afraid to drop the gloves and who will add grit to a line-up in desperate need for some!
Maybe 35 or 40 games?
He'd be the designated punching bag, and if we're to get one of those, better get TKO.
To those claiming that Stortini can play hockey, I say the following. He can play hockey when on a line with other decent players, like when he was matched with Brodziak and Glencross. He isn't good enough to play on a line with the likes of Fraser and/or Jacques. He has intensity in his game, but little else, he doesn't have the raw tools to be an NHL'er. What he has accomplished is completely on effort.
To those claiming that Stortini can play hockey, I say the following. He can play hockey when on a line with other decent players, like when he was matched with Brodziak and Glencross. He isn't good enough to play on a line with the likes of Fraser and/or Jacques. He has intensity in his game, but little else, he doesn't have the raw tools to be an NHL'er. What he has accomplished is completely on effort.
I'd take him in a heartbeat on a line with Halpern and Darche, with the odd shift on the top two lines just to keep the other team honest... and he can keep up!
Not saying that Stortini is the best thing since sliced bread here, but he has something that the Habs are lacking: grit!
To those claiming that Stortini can play hockey, I say the following. He can play hockey when on a line with other decent players, like when he was matched with Brodziak and Glencross. He isn't good enough to play on a line with the likes of Fraser and/or Jacques. He has intensity in his game, but little else, he doesn't have the raw tools to be an NHL'er. What he has accomplished is completely on effort.
He's really a guy that would've benefited from more time in the AHL.
I'd take him in a heartbeat on a line with Halpern and Darche, with the odd shift on the top two lines just to keep the other team honest... and he can keep up!
Not saying that Stortini is the best thing since sliced bread here, but he has something that the Habs are lacking: grit!
I don't know about that. He's kinda like those kids that chase the puck in minor hockey, but instead of the puck he is looking for someone to cream against the boards. Puts himself out of position quite a bit.
I'd take him in a heartbeat on a line with Halpern and Darche, with the odd shift on the top two lines just to keep the other team honest... and he can keep up!
Not saying that Stortini is the best thing since sliced bread here, but he has something that the Habs are lacking: grit!
Anyone who says there's been some kind of mistake made for waiving Stortini, or is suddenly jumping to his defense that he's even a decent hockey player, is just looking for excuses to slag on the Oilers. This move should come as no surprise to anyone.
I wouldn't mind him replacing Volpatti for the Canucks. Salaries are negligible. I don't really care if he can't fight, fighting between goons are lame anyways.
I wouldn't mind him replacing Volpatti for the Canucks. Salaries are negligible. I don't really care if he can't fight, fighting between goons are lame anyways.
Volpatti has looked better as a rookie pro in 14 games than Stortini ever has, IMO. Storts is an awful fighter and hockey player. He has energy and he tries, but basically think of a more agitating version of Jeff Cowan--that is what Stortini would bring. No way in hell I'd take him over Volpatti, nor would I want him on the Canucks period.
Anyone who says there's been some kind of mistake made for waiving Stortini, or is suddenly jumping to his defense that he's even a decent hockey player, is just looking for excuses to slag on the Oilers. This move should come as no surprise to anyone.
Stortini was making some good progress last year and I honestly thought he might be a future checking line agitator winger but this season he has really taken a step back. He never could really fight even though he tried and his agitating seemed ineffective. He's a good guy in the community and as bad as JFJ is, right now he's better then Stortini with more potential.
Stortini was making some good progress last year and I honestly thought he might be a future checking line agitator winger but this season he has really taken a step back. He never could really fight even though he tried and his agitating seemed ineffective. He's a good guy in the community and as bad as JFJ is, right now he's better then Stortini with more potential.
Volpatti has looked better as a rookie pro in 14 games than Stortini ever has, IMO. Storts is an awful fighter and hockey player. He has energy and he tries, but basically think of a more agitating version of Jeff Cowan--that is what Stortini would bring. No way in hell I'd take him over Volpatti, nor would I want him on the Canucks period.
What I have bolded I believe is the reason so many people are rushing to his defence here. The fact is, last year and an AWFUL Oilers team on many nights Zach was the only player trying. Because of this his impact was artificially inflated strictly due to every other player phoning it in.
This season on another, although the results arent there, the Oiler team indisputably puts in a much greater effort every game(ok...most games...). Therefore there is no longer any aspect of his game that stands out. He doesnt hit too well, he cant skate like an NHLer, doesnt have a good shot, an embarrassment when fighting. I would be SHOCKED if any team picks him up, there are similar but better players in pretty much every team in the leagues system.
Stortini was making some good progress last year and I honestly thought he might be a future checking line agitator winger but this season he has really taken a step back. He never could really fight even though he tried and his agitating seemed ineffective. He's a good guy in the community and as bad as JFJ is, right now he's better then Stortini with more potential.
The biggest problem is when Macintyre got here.
Stortini was on his way to being a solid 4th liner with potential of 3rd line. But that off-season Stortini tried to bulk up and be a super-heavy. Clearly didn't work and cost him a year for the expirement.
Has never seemed to be able to get back to that role he once was able to play.
Volpatti has looked better as a rookie pro in 14 games than Stortini ever has, IMO. Storts is an awful fighter and hockey player. He has energy and he tries, but basically think of a more agitating version of Jeff Cowan--that is what Stortini would bring. No way in hell I'd take him over Volpatti, nor would I want him on the Canucks period.
I'll admit I wouldn't mind Stortini either. I think Stortini is better along the boards than Volpatti while bringing more size. It would be like getting another Glass. Mostly though, I don't really care.
And as a side note, it's Zack, not Zach. It's what makes "Zack Attack" work as a nickname.
I strongly believe that Stortini is a victim of his own grit, his own willingness to drop the mitts, a victim of his courage to go after guys to protect his teammates... and he's being blamed for not being a good fighter. *sigh*
So much better to have guys turning around pretending they care instead...
