The one and only Roman Hamrlik appreciation thread
Way overdue.
Time to give props to Hammer. He's stepped up his play massively this season and is showing an offensive side we haven't really known all that much during his time here. If he keeps this going, we should consider re-signing him, albeit at a discounted price.
It's true, he's been playing either great or unnoticably good (which is fine if you're a defenceman) this year.
I myself sometimes forget that he's a good solid defenceman and was considered an offensive talent when he was drafted, and that's because his salary leaves a bad taste in my mouth. Even though Gomez's contract is MUCH fatter, it seems Hammer's flies under the radar, and 5.5M is a LOT of money for a d-man who isn't quite an all-star.
Still, as the season wears on, I find myself remembering over and over that Hammer is worth keeping around for his talents and what I'm sure is some good veteran presence on the ice and in the locker room for our younger defencemen. I would definitely re-sign him.
He's been under appreciated for his entire Habs career. I know the contract is bad but he gives us everything. His defensive game has gotten better with age. If there is anyone I'd want around our defensive prospects it's Hamrlik.
While we got to be pragmatic when it comes to contract negotiations I would be happy for him to return at this rate. I'm a fan of the Hammer.
He deserves a lot of credit right now with his play. He's been lights out good so far since Markov has fallen to injury, he's actually been better this year then last year.
I always liked Hamrlik, my only knock on him is that he will wear down over the course of the season with Markov out. It's been proven to be true, and it's more then likely to happen again this year. Here's to hoping he can hold the fort down though.
He deserves a lot of credit right now with his play. He's been lights out good so far since Markov has fallen to injury, he's actually been better this year then last year.
I always liked Hamrlik, my only knock on him is that he will wear down over the course of the season with Markov out. It's been proven to be true, and it's more then likely to happen again this year. Here's to hoping he can hold the fort down though.
That is what I'm afraid of as well. Personally I'd use all 7 D we have right now and give some rest once in a while to Gill, Spacek and Hammer over the 2nd half of the season.
He takes a lot of bashing but always steps it up a notch when markov goes down. Even spaceman has been playing well. Webber looked solid, we should put all the d men in rotation and keep them hungry and fresh.
It's nice to see the excitement, especially with 70 percent of the season to still be played.
Fans have short memories... just a month ago he was overpaid. After a game against the lowly Devils, he's a Norris candidate.
There is a middle ground between "Norris candidate" and " overpaid bum".
My take -- very solid defensively, he'll bring some offense against thinner competition (Oils, Devils etc) and play a safer game against teams like the Flyers that would make him pay if he pinched (especially since he doesn't have the wheels to recover anymore).
My biggest concern, like others have pointed out, is that at some points he will run out of gaz during the course of a long season, especially without Markov and especially if we suffer another lose another D to injury.
Soft teams, hot streaks, have helped him get some of his legs back -- there'll be stretches during the season where his decline will show. Hopefully, we'll be able to handle the rough patches; and hopefully it's not going to happen in the playoffs, like it did last year.
He was the main reason why we lost game 5 last year against the Caps, going down 3 games to 1 against Washington
