It's not about DD playing his natural position so much as putting all your talent together.
Many forwards can play both the wing and center. A forward with as much hockey sense as DD can surely do it.
Now, I'm sure if you asked DD himself which options he finds more desirable:
Option A - Play center with Moen/Darche on the 4th line about 8-10 min a game
or
Option B - Play wing with Eller and AK 12-14 min a game
Pretty sure DD would pick B. It would also be smart to make the most out of DD's hockey sense and vision by playing him with players who can make something out of his passes.
That being said, anything can happen and will likely happen.
No problem, since Eller hardly ever passes, yet you think he can do something with DD's passes - the solution is to play DD at C so he can distribute the puck to both wingers.
And before anyone says that DD will "get eaten alive" having to match up against other centremen, tell me who will give him more trouble, Krejci or Horton? Briere or Jagr? Giroux or JVR?
On average, and of course there are exceptions, the C that DD would face are smaller than the wingers he could face.
Also, besides not passing well, Eller does not win faceoffs that often. DD is much better in the circle.
No problem, since Eller hardly ever passes, yet you think he can do something with DD's passes - the solution is to play DD at C so he can distribute the puck to both wingers.
And before anyone says that DD will "get eaten alive" having to match up against other centremen, tell me who will give him more trouble, Krejci or Horton? Briere or Jagr? Giroux or JVR?
On average, and of course there are exceptions, the C that DD would face are smaller than the wingers he could face.
Also, besides not passing well, Eller does not win faceoffs that often. DD is much better in the circle.
Eller doesn't pass well? Geez now I've heard it all.
Sorry, but if we let go Halpern and Pyatt, I presume it was to UP-grade, not put in a slowish, non-offensive centreman that while big shows no real grit. I will assume that he will not show THAT much at camp. Then what?
DD will play only be playing center if Eller is not ready, he will get time here and there at center because of injuries, that is it. Having him center the 4th line would be terribly stupid.
No problem, since Eller hardly ever passes, yet you think he can do something with DD's passes - the solution is to play DD at C so he can distribute the puck to both wingers.
And before anyone says that DD will "get eaten alive" having to match up against other centremen, tell me who will give him more trouble, Krejci or Horton? Briere or Jagr? Giroux or JVR?
On average, and of course there are exceptions, the C that DD would face are smaller than the wingers he could face.
Also, besides not passing well, Eller does not win faceoffs that often. DD is much better in the circle.
because in hockey, wingers have to match up against the defensemen on the point, and at times collapse in, about 90% of the time, those below their own net in defensive zone coverages are the center and the 2 defensemen vs the opponents offensive line
eller doesnt pass the puck? ok thats news to me, he is great at transporting the puck from end to end at times but to say that he never passes is ridiculous
lastly you are right, DD is great on faceoffs which eller isnt great at, theres no problem and letting DD taking faceoffs while eller chnages back to his center spot after faceoffs...
because in hockey, wingers have to match up against the defensemen on the point, and at times collapse in, about 90% of the time, those below their own net in defensive zone coverages are the center and the 2 defensemen vs the opponents offensive line
eller doesnt pass the puck? ok thats news to me, he is great at transporting the puck from end to end at times but to say that he never passes is ridiculous
lastly you are right, DD is great on faceoffs which eller isnt great at, theres no problem and letting DD taking faceoffs while eller chnages back to his center spot after faceoffs...
The moment Eller grab Brieres stick out of his hand and threw away was priceless. Then to see him go to the penalty box before the commercial, only to be out there when the commercial ended was epic.
Hopefully he can practice his technique this summer. With him in strong position as our #3 center would make this team very strong.
cabbie91 cody cabral
Canadiens continue to knock on the door of bottom 6 grit. However, they feel Blunden could play with the habs as soon as out of camp
cabbie91 cody cabral
Canadiens continue to knock on the door of bottom 6 grit. However, they feel Blunden could play with the habs as soon as out of camp
*************** incarcerated bob
@
@TheMan0790 Leafs are not interested in Semin not a Burke type of player. Habs are on Semin
3 hours ago Favorite Reply
cabbie91 cody cabral
Canadiens continue to knock on the door of bottom 6 grit. However, they feel Blunden could play with the habs as soon as out of camp
They do somewhat, need to leave a spot or two up for grabs so to speak...the kids do need a glimmer of hope in making the big club!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Habs514
Some of @*************** latest tweets about Montreal.
*************** incarcerated bob
@
@HabsfaninNH Yes Gomez has 3 teams he can say NO - Islanders / Jets are two of them
25 minutes ago Favorite Reply
*************** incarcerated bob
@
@TheMan0790 Leafs are not interested in Semin not a Burke type of player. Habs are on Semin
3 hours ago Favorite Reply
That Burkie kind of player stuff cracks me up...how's that working for ya Burkie???
Last edited by Habsfan18: 07-10-2011 at 07:26 PM.
Reason: merged
Kulemin is big and a very good two way winger... but he is incredibly soft. Even with his size I wouldn't call him a powerfoward
Quote:
Originally Posted by HomaridII
cabbie91 cody cabral
Canadiens continue to knock on the door of bottom 6 grit. However, they feel Blunden could play with the habs as soon as out of camp
Quote:
Originally Posted by Koseegin
Isn't Cabbie sort of legit?
No... this one has 65 followers he's not the TSN Cabbie
Sorry, but if we let go Halpern and Pyatt, I presume it was to UP-grade, not put in a slowish, non-offensive centreman that while big shows no real grit. I will assume that he will not show THAT much at camp. Then what?
Besides, if Engqvist is in, then one of White, Darche or Moen are out. And that is LOL, especially knowing JM.
There is plenty of movement on the 4th line. Plus there are always injuries during the season so it would not be a surprise.
There is plenty of movement on the 4th line. Plus there are always injuries during the season so it would not be a surprise.
Seriously, Engqvist is not an upgrade over either Pyatt or Halpern, and should not play ahead of Darche, Moen or even White.
Furthermore, playing him does not save cap space, because his cap hit is higher than any of the above except Moen.
Of course, he might play if there are injuries, but behind Moen, Darche and White.
Engqvist is probably even behind Blunden in the organization's depth chart at this time.
If the team intends to play Eller and DD together on the third line, we will need a fourth line center that is better than Ryan White or Andreas Engqvist. Otherwise, we stand to waste the talents of Darche, Moen or White.
Seriously, Engqvist is not an upgrade over either Pyatt or Halpern, and should not play ahead of Darche, Moen or even White.
Furthermore, playing him does not save cap space, because his cap hit is higher than any of the above except Moen.
Of course, he might play if there are injuries, but behind Moen, Darche and White.
Engqvist is probably even behind Blunden in the organization's depth chart at this time.
If the team intends to play Eller and DD together on the third line, we will need a fourth line center that is better than Ryan White or Andreas Engqvist. Otherwise, we stand to waste the talents of Darche, Moen or White.
This is why there's a beautiful thing called the training camp. There's open spots on the 4th line, so may the best win!
This is why there's a beautiful thing called the training camp. There's open spots on the 4th line, so may the best win!
There might be open spots, but the guys fighting for the spots aren't very good.
The free-agent market is also barren, apart from maybe Stillman, so unless a trade is made we're looking fairly underwhelming going into training camp.
