It's funny how fast people are abandoning Bailey. It's way too early to write him off.
I personally think that Strome is obviously a fall back if Bailey fails, but the organization is probably envisioning a JT/Strome combination in the future.
I really think they need to play on the same line, Wheather its JT on the wing or Strome they at least have to try it out. I think they could put up very good nimbers if they click.
I realize everyone is focused on the obvious possible pairing of Strome with Tavares, but don't forget to think about the other possibilities offered by Ryan. He is yet another fast & dangerous player to be added to the PK. He will enhance our decrepit PP. He can provide a real center for Comeau.
i think to hope for a crosby/malkin kinda thing is not realistic. i do think that tavares will continue to get better though. strome is an unknown in my book. too many flash in the pan prospects, ya know? they easily outnumber the guys that develop into crosby/malkin etc.
Strome is still only 17 years old. I love to watch Junior hockey but right now he is a just a kid - a prospect - who needs to keep improving. I wish the draft was still for 19 / 20 year olds. It is a real crap shoot unless you have that rare, obvious talent like a Crosby.
Let's see how he does next year in Jr hockey and forget about him playing up here for a couple of years and let him develop.
Right now this team needs a top VETERAN wing for Tavares. I do NOT want to see PAP on our top line come October or I will be an unhappy camper!
Tavares is a potential top line center. I have to just laugh at comments by some of moving Tavares to wing to accomodate Strome.
It's funny how fast people are abandoning Bailey. It's way too early to write him off.
I personally think that Strome is obviously a fall back if Bailey fails, but the organization is probably envisioning a JT/Strome combination in the future.
new toy! NEW TOY! NEW TOY!
Strome goes to juniors regardless of how he plays in camp UNLESS......we think this Bailey won't get bailey'd like all the other Baileys we bailey'd.
Maybe the Red Wings don't just draft well.....maybe they develop well, too?
Maybe not a Crosby/Malkin 1-2 punch but possibly similar to the Bruins with Bergeron/Krejci? (Of course JT will be better than both Krejci and Bergeron) Since Bailey has struggled, convert him to a defense 1st forward and future 3rd line center. Good 1-2-3 punch.
a honestly think that nielsen is the better option over bailey, if he doesn't improve significantly. I'll like better a 1-2-3 of Tavares - Strome (hoping i'll express his potential fully) - Nielsen.
Right now, Bailey is the third center, Nielsen has earned the spot in the 2nd line.
I just saw a recording of an Okposo interview at this past draft regarding 2011 Strome pick. he made an interesting point...One of the reasons why Isles like Strome was the fact that he is right handed and that they are lacking a right handed center..
Maybe the team is trying something new ..to play which two centers to take faceoffs depending on which side is their advantage..win more faceoffs..create more chances...which makes more goals and wins more games.
a honestly think that nielsen is the better option over bailey, if he doesn't improve significantly. I'll like better a 1-2-3 of Tavares - Strome (hoping i'll express his potential fully) - Nielsen.
Right now, Bailey is the third center, Nielsen has earned the spot in the 2nd line.
And I like the two way Bailey as center #2/3 and defensive ace Nielson #3/2 with Strome on Tavares left side so, as steveat pointed out, the off side draw can favor offensive creation.
And remember, sight-unseen, Tavares might flourish on Strome's wing just as easily as Strome might flourish on JT's wing. The key here.....
Setup guy has a goal machine in Tavares and a second rate or better goal machine in Moulson, and has the speed to get back for both players on his wing to play defense if need be - though there will be far less of that once PA is replaced.
Tavares' skating improved by leaps and bounds last season, and I suspect that it will continue to improve. It's his elite hockey sense that allows him to play center, and he's also far above average in the face off circles. I'll be disappointed if he moves to wing.
Two seasons ago, Bailey looked real good on the Left Wing. But last season, he looked better at center after moving back from wing. Unfortunatley, he's hard to figure out right now. But if Bailey can knock this upcoming season out of the park (like 50+ points) and reaches that level of comfort with the team where he can sit down with Capuano, and Capuano can tell him at some point next summer, "Josh, you improved greatly this season. Our scouts have kept a real close eye on Strome this year, and we think that you'd be a great left winger for him. He's a right handed shot, he's got great vision, and you would get the puck A LOT, what do you think?" - So yeah, I'm rooting for Bailey, but I think he deserves not to get jerked around. If he has a strong season starting in the fall, and you give him a summer to adjust, I think that he'd be ammendable to moving to the wing.
Honestly, I've seen glimpses of Cam Neely (Goal against Rangers on Oct. 11), I've seen glimpses of Mike Modano with the way he can find openings and rip a shot. Unfortunately, for the most part, I've seen a lot of Oleg Kvasha, where he just looks lost. I hope he can figure it out.
What I see with Strome/Tavares = Tavares #1 center. Strome #2 center. Beginning in 2012-13, which will hopefully be a full, non-lockout, schedule.
I just saw a recording of an Okposo interview at this past draft regarding 2011 Strome pick. he made an interesting point...One of the reasons why Isles like Strome was the fact that he is right handed and that they are lacking a right handed center..
Maybe the team is trying something new ..to play which two centers to take faceoffs depending on which side is their advantage..win more faceoffs..create more chances...which makes more goals and wins more games.
I really think the righty/lefty and position played had NOTHING to do with selecting Strome. Strome was in his 2nd trimester in the womb, his head triple the size of his body, probably sucking his whole foot, when Volek scored "the goal", the last time the NYI won a playoff series. He's just 17.
If all goes well for Strome, he'll be a contributing member of a winning NYI team right about the time Brock Nelson, Casey Cizikas, David Ullstrom, Josh Bailey, John Tavares and Frans Nielsen all are looking for ice-time, many of them in the centre ice position.
The fact that Strome is the only righty means little.
Crosby Malkin Staal and Datsyuk Zetterberg Filppula/Hudler and Sakic Forsberg Yelle and Richards Lecavalier Stillman and E. Staal Stillman M.Cullen - pretty good teams, cup winners, all with lefty centres.
I really think the righty/lefty and position played had NOTHING to do with selecting Strome. Strome was in his 2nd trimester in the womb, his head triple the size of his body, probably sucking his whole foot, when Volek scored "the goal", the last time the NYI won a playoff series. He's just 17.
If all goes well for Strome, he'll be a contributing member of a winning NYI team right about the time Brock Nelson, Casey Cizikas, David Ullstrom, Josh Bailey, John Tavares and Frans Nielsen all are looking for ice-time, many of them in the centre ice position.
The fact that Strome is the only righty means little.
Crosby Malkin Staal and Datsyuk Zetterberg Filppula/Hudler and Sakic Forsberg Yelle and Richards Lecavalier Stillman and E. Staal Stillman M.Cullen - pretty good teams, cup winners, all with lefty centres.
Maybe we should ONLY have lefty centres?!?!
I like that he's a right-handed stick, but I agree, it's pretty neglegible.
Look at the mentioned '93 team: Turgeon, Thomas, King, Hogue, Ferarro; 5 of our 6 top 6 were left handed.
And if I'm not mistaken, Krupp was our only right-handed shooting D.
Gets to center his 2 pals, although Strome will probably be in Juniors most of the year like Nino was. We drafted another reason for JT to sign his extension.
