I like what i saw of Jesper Fasth at The WJC , hope down the road he turns into another below the radar swedish gem
I think he could be a real solid player, hence the avatar + header combo. He's fast, smart, and is relatively talented. Could be a 35-40 point version of Sjostrom.
That price is more than fair for Enstrom. In 15 years, he'll be talked about as one of the best players of his generation. A perennial Norris trophy candidate. I'd have no problem adding to the package BB suggested. Not that Enstrom is going to be available anytime soon.
Yeah, I don't think Buff belongs in the same conversation as Enstrom. And I think you'd be surprised as to how many players are more than capable of playing both forward or defense if the need would arise. For example, I have no doubt that Enstrom could easily be a successful offensive player at the forward position.
Wow. Really? I've always respected your comments on here and I actually usually agree with you, so I guess I need to watch the Thrashers more. They're one of the teams I watch the fewest games of, so I really have only seen Enstrom when we play Atlanta, and a few games here and there. I really didn't see "perennial Norris candidate" but I value your opinion, so I'll keep an open mind.
And yes, I'm aware that plenty of players could switch from F to D or D to F. But I don't see any who can do that while having Buff's overall package of size, speed, and skill. What I mean is that I don't see any players who can play a physical defensive game (not that he's the MOST physical, but he's capable of it with his size and intensity and has shown flashes of a mean streak with some hard hits), while also being a leading offensive d-man, and then are capable of switching to forward, and playing a grinding, power-forward role with such a net presence. Maybe I'm not explaining myself clearly, but I just don't see many players with Buff's combination of size, skating, and ability to score goals who happen to be completely versatile and reliable at either position. I know he's not Marc Staal on the defensive end, but he's steady, in my opinion and the most important thing is he leaves his stamp on the game. He can affect a game the way Ovechkin can. A definite game-breaking impact player when he's on his game, in my opinion.
Wow. Really? I've always respected your comments on here and I actually usually agree with you, so I guess I need to watch the Thrashers more. They're one of the teams I watch the fewest games of, so I really have only seen Enstrom when we play Atlanta, and a few games here and there. I really didn't see "perennial Norris candidate" but I value your opinion, so I'll keep an open mind.
And yes, I'm aware that plenty of players could switch from F to D or D to F. But I don't see any who can do that while having Buff's overall package of size, speed, and skill. What I mean is that I don't see any players who can play a physical defensive game (not that he's the MOST physical, but he's capable of it with his size and intensity and has shown flashes of a mean streak with some hard hits), while also being a leading offensive d-man, and then are capable of switching to forward, and playing a grinding, power-forward role with such a net presence. Maybe I'm not explaining myself clearly, but I just don't see many players with Buff's combination of size, skating, and ability to score goals who happen to be completely versatile and reliable at either position. I know he's not Marc Staal on the defensive end, but he's steady, in my opinion and the most important thing is he leaves his stamp on the game. He can affect a game the way Ovechkin can. A definite game-breaking impact player when he's on his game, in my opinion.
I don't want to get to much more into this and take the thread even further off-topic, but I think part of the reason that Ovechkin is as effective as he is is because he needs the rest of the team to basically take a back seat to him. Thus leading the league in SOG. A lot of those shots are great shots, but because they know that at least some of his shots are good enough to go in, they allow it. Ovechkin is not a very efficient player, and that's why he'll never be as successful as a Crosby will.
Same with Buff. Guess who are #1 and #2 in the league in SOG?
Size and strength, IMO, will always lose to brains. That's why a guy like Buff is far from being a great player. He's like a modifier in a role playing game. When you have all the main pieces in place, you bring him in and he amplifies the powers you already have. If you have a great passer and playmaker like Enstrom, Buff is nice because he has a hard shot. The best way to play the Thrashers is to focus on taking everyone else out of the game. Let Buff take his shots, even if one of them goes in. But if you can stop the real playmakers from facilitating him with opportunities, you force him to create his own opportunities, and other than hoping to blast a really hard shot past the goaltender, he's not capable of creating opportunities for himself.
Enstrom one of thsoe players thats anticipation skills /ability to slow the play down/ hockey IQ is so strong that he is flourishing despite his size . Poeple are not able to overpower him despite his dwarf like body cecause of it . He posseses the same intangible that the Datsyuks , st Louis ' , Theo fleury pre crack head posses , superior skating , and Hockey IQ . Not to bring up the HUGE Dissapoitnment I mean Hugh Jessiman but we are not the only ones in the past to get enamored with size . The league has changed and hOckey Iq skating and by that i mean stregth with puc , stick streght with and without puck and anticipation are relly what makes the differance . I think given the right minutes and right line combo that is what can make a player Like Zuke a productive NHLer . while he is not flat out the gate greasy fast like Grabner , his vision and anticipation make him that much quicker
You know what, you do bring up a good point. In a sense, I misspoke. While I would trade Girardi for Bogosian without hesitation, I shouldn't have said that he's exactly what we're missing. He's not. We're missing a guy who is more of an offensive factor, while, as you said, Bogosian is in many ways like a souped up Girardi.
The proposition I made involving Girardi and Boyle/Anisimov and a prospect/pick would be to get a young defenseman who is more of an impact player on offense. For example, there is a rumor that Atlanta would trade Enstrom rather than Bogosian. Now, personally, I don't buy that rumor for a second, because I think anyone that trades Enstrom should be fired on the spot. But let's say he was available, that's the kind of guy (or, because he won't be available, someone in his mold) that is, as I said earlier, exactly what we're missing.
I think you're selling Bogosian a little short on the offensive side of the puck. Yeah, he as a great shot, but his mobility and comfort level with the puck on his stick is, IMO, far superior to Girardi's already. It's the defensive side of the game where he really falls short of Danny's performance.
I think you're selling Bogosian a little short on the offensive side of the puck. Yeah, he as a great shot, but his mobility and comfort level with the puck on his stick is, IMO, far superior to Girardi's already. It's the defensive side of the game where he really falls short of Danny's performance.
Agreed with that sentiment with heavy emphasis on really.
Posted this in another thread but might as well post it here as well.
I believe this team is a PPQB and a GOOD power-play away from being a surprising team in the playoffs. There is no doubt of the work and hustle this team has.
Look at the 03-04 Flames. ONE player over 50 points and that's Iginla. And of course a star goaltender in Kipper. And one game away from winning the cup. If only Gaborik would wake up this team is very reminiscent of that team. Blue collar with a scorer and a star goaltender.
Sorry man trading our best prospect, one with hands that can actually score on a nightly basis, is a Neil Smith type trade that we don't need any part of. Enstrom would be nice, no doubt about it, but trading Kreider, who should fit perfectly with this teams identity we are building would be a huge mistake.
Tomas Kaberle <--Only if the price is right. If the asking price gets too steep than Sather needs to back off. Sather should also back off if this team doesn't turn it around on thier own. What I mean by that is Kaberle as a rental works if this club truly is a contender. He works into the equation if the team is able to win without him. If they can't win without him, and he comes here and gets off on the wrong foot then the unforgiving Garden crowd will make this a total cluster****! So the two keys to Kaberle is don't give away too much, and get back on track before the deadline. I'm ok with sending one of the 2nd's, but not Ethan Werek. Maybe Vtank or Bourque.
Weise <--He's playing for a team that is going to make some moves for sure. I like his game, and what he brings to the table. Is he bonafide 1st line material? Not so sure, in fact I don't see him as being any better than Brandon Dubinsky, while he certainly is less physical than Dubi is. He's young, and creative, and can make plays. He's a lefty...so he's got that going for him! I like the cap hit too. At 3.1mil he is not overpaid, and at 27yrs old he is in his prime. He to me can be realistic, as the Panthers are saying that they will be sellers. So it comes down to what is the asking price. For Weiss, I would be ok with this years 1st round pick plus Gilroy and EC. That probably won't get him though. So maybe Wolski plus the Wash pick and a prospect?
Some Muscle...
Jordan Tootoo <-- I like adding a guy that can really make some noise in the limited amount of icetime he gets. Tootoo hits like a freight train and agitates with the best of them. But...he can back it up too. On the same level as Prust as far a fighting goes. With Boogaard out, he takes some of the burden off Prust. Tootoo had some demons to overcome, but is now out of the rehab and back with Nash. For that reason, and a 1.2mil cap hit he could be had. What could the asking price be? Christensen? A 3rd rounder?
Chris Neil <--Similar to Tootoo, hits everything and hits hard! He obviously can scrap also. Adds a serious level of toughness to this team and once again takes the burden off Prust a little as the teams primary fighter. Can play a reg shift w/out hurting you. More expensive than Tootoo, but also older and maybe a little slower.
The Blockbuster :
Spezza <--His team basically said were throwing in the towel and Spezza will command thier biggest return in the trade market. I don't necessarily think he is a good fit with Gaborik, Righty center playing with a Lefty RW. But, of all the players that are "potentially" available via trade he absolutly is a bonafide 1st line center. He's is the most dynamic playmaker of the bunch and can be mentioned with Richards in the same breath. Like Weiss, he's only 27 but he far superior in overall talent than Weiss is. The negatives, attitude maybe? Lack of responsibility in his own end? <--Heard that some Sens fans don't think that is the case at all but I can't say for sure. He changes the dynamic here though. Instead of building a team around Gaborik's line, they could potentially build around Spezza and Dubinsky and Cally...or even Zuccarello on the Right side? I mean all this talk about the "CORE" wouldn't it make sense to build around it? Price would be incredibly high, and assets are here to get this deal done. If Drury was the salary dump in the deal and the Rangers took back more salary like say Fisher witha $4.2cap hit, then this deal could take life.
Let's get crazy here...
Jason Spezza $7mil cap hit 27yrs old.
Chris Neil $2 mil cap hit 31yrs old.
Chris Drury $7.05 mil cap hit <--Salary dump.
Michael DelZotto $1.08 cap hit 20 yrs old.
Artem Anisimov $.821,000 cap hit 22 yrs old.
2011 1st round draft pick
Benefit Rangers : Bonafide center added. Tough SOB added. Sheds the Drury contract.
Benefit Sens : Rebuild starts with two very promising 20yrs olds and a 1st rounder thrown in. Drury is the dump.
Tomas Kaberle <--Only if the price is right. If the asking price gets too steep than Sather needs to back off. Sather should also back off if this team doesn't turn it around on thier own. What I mean by that is Kaberle as a rental works if this club truly is a contender. He works into the equation if the team is able to win without him. If they can't win without him, and he comes here and gets off on the wrong foot then the unforgiving Garden crowd will make this a total cluster****! So the two keys to Kaberle is don't give away too much, and get back on track before the deadline. I'm ok with sending one of the 2nd's, but not Ethan Werek. Maybe Vtank or Bourque.
Weise <--He's playing for a team that is going to make some moves for sure. I like his game, and what he brings to the table. Is he bonafide 1st line material? Not so sure, in fact I don't see him as being any better than Brandon Dubinsky, while he certainly is less physical than Dubi is. He's young, and creative, and can make plays. He's a lefty...so he's got that going for him! I like the cap hit too. At 3.1mil he is not overpaid, and at 27yrs old he is in his prime. He to me can be realistic, as the Panthers are saying that they will be sellers. So it comes down to what is the asking price. For Weiss, I would be ok with this years 1st round pick plus Gilroy and EC. That probably won't get him though. So maybe Wolski plus the Wash pick and a prospect?
Some Muscle...
Jordan Tootoo <-- I like adding a guy that can really make some noise in the limited amount of icetime he gets. Tootoo hits like a freight train and agitates with the best of them. But...he can back it up too. On the same level as Prust as far a fighting goes. With Boogaard out, he takes some of the burden off Prust. Tootoo had some demons to overcome, but is now out of the rehab and back with Nash. For that reason, and a 1.2mil cap hit he could be had. What could the asking price be? Christensen? A 3rd rounder?
Chris Neil <--Similar to Tootoo, hits everything and hits hard! He obviously can scrap also. Adds a serious level of toughness to this team and once again takes the burden off Prust a little as the teams primary fighter. Can play a reg shift w/out hurting you. More expensive than Tootoo, but also older and maybe a little slower.
The Blockbuster :
Spezza <--His team basically said were throwing in the towel and Spezza will command thier biggest return in the trade market. I don't necessarily think he is a good fit with Gaborik, Righty center playing with a Lefty RW. But, of all the players that are "potentially" available via trade he absolutly is a bonafide 1st line center. He's is the most dynamic playmaker of the bunch and can be mentioned with Richards in the same breath. Like Weiss, he's only 27 but he far superior in overall talent than Weiss is. The negatives, attitude maybe? Lack of responsibility in his own end? <--Heard that some Sens fans don't think that is the case at all but I can't say for sure. He changes the dynamic here though. Instead of building a team around Gaborik's line, they could potentially build around Spezza and Dubinsky and Cally...or even Zuccarello on the Right side? I mean all this talk about the "CORE" wouldn't it make sense to build around it? Price would be incredibly high, and assets are here to get this deal done. If Drury was the salary dump in the deal and the Rangers took back more salary like say Fisher witha $4.2cap hit, then this deal could take life.
Let's get crazy here...
Jason Spezza $7mil cap hit 27yrs old.
Chris Neil $2 mil cap hit 31yrs old.
Chris Drury $7.05 mil cap hit <--Salary dump.
Michael DelZotto $1.08 cap hit 20 yrs old.
Artem Anisimov $.821,000 cap hit 22 yrs old.
2011 1st round draft pick
Benefit Rangers : Bonafide center added. Tough SOB added. Sheds the Drury contract.
Benefit Sens : Rebuild starts with two very promising 20yrs olds and a 1st rounder thrown in. Drury is the dump.
Pass on Spezza, he can't cut it with the Senators, NYC is not the place for him. I think Weiss is a more realistic player to acquire, but like you said the package you have listed won't be enough and I don't see sather trading our first for anyone. Maybe some combination of Grachev, Gilroy, V-Tank, or Horak and the 2nd from washington? I can see the panthers wanting Anisimov, but is Sather willing to trade him to get Weiss? It is hard to tell what it would take to pry him out of there, but I wouldn't part with Wolski as he is buying into our team concept and has tons of skill we lack.
I think the asking price will be higher than you expect for Tootoo and besides how can we fit all of these guys on our roster with Feds, Drury and possibly Boogard all coming back by the deadline? bodies would have to be shipped out.
Is there a chance the Rangers are looking at Erik Johnson?
I really don't want Weiss. From the games I have seen he has been knocked off the puck very easily and lacks footspeed. Not a good combination for Gaborik.
People forget that he is constantly in the doghouse even while putting up points. There's a reason for that. He's the definition of a perimeter player.
I think you're selling Bogosian a little short on the offensive side of the puck. Yeah, he as a great shot, but his mobility and comfort level with the puck on his stick is, IMO, far superior to Girardi's already. It's the defensive side of the game where he really falls short of Danny's performance.
Wouldn't that necessitate partnering him with Staal?
Quote:
Originally Posted by NYR Boyler87
Is there a chance the Rangers are looking at Erik Johnson?
Bogosian defensively is just as bad as MDZ. He is like a chicken running around with his head cut off. He has "Dion Phaneuf syndrome" without the offense right now.
What do you guys think it would take to get Tomas Kaberle from Toronto? I think he's exactly what we need. And I know you guys don't like it but I'd be interested in McCabe also. We need a vet dman who hold down the point on the power play.
I don't want to get to much more into this and take the thread even further off-topic, but I think part of the reason that Ovechkin is as effective as he is is because he needs the rest of the team to basically take a back seat to him. Thus leading the league in SOG. A lot of those shots are great shots, but because they know that at least some of his shots are good enough to go in, they allow it. Ovechkin is not a very efficient player, and that's why he'll never be as successful as a Crosby will.
Not only will he never be as successful as Crosby but his production is going to start to decline at a much earlier age. Ovechkin is completely reliant on his physical dominance; the fact that he's bigger, stronger and faster than almost everyone else in the league. As he gets older he's going to lose that physical edge and I don't know if he has the smarts to make up for it. Crosby, even if he loses speed and strength, will still be an effective player because he's just such an intelligent hockey player.
Wouldn't that necessitate partnering him with Staal?
I would love a chance to get EJ.
Blues are not trading EJ. 100% guaranteed.
Whoever said Eric Brewer.... please no. Brewer is awful. My friend is a Blues fan, he laughed and told me to say "you can have him for free" if that tells you anything.
If we were looking at anyone on the Blues for offensive help we are in serious trouble. The Blues are essentially the Rangers of the West, teams are built almost identical.
