2014-2015 Post Of The Day

[HabsRuleForever]

This thread is for posts that you want to acknowledge‎ because you fell they stand out. Whether its a funny post that made you laugh out loud, a witty post, a well thought out post that swayed your opinion on a certain topic or just a well written post that you enjoyed reading.

Was there a post you read that fits the criteria above & you want to share it with the rest of us? Then please, feel free to do so here.

[BigTed3]

Here's a rational opinion on the Habs' situation at center! Our first Post of the Day of the year...

I dont really buy into this DD-Pac chemistry bit. Its not so much chemistry as much as they seem to somewhat ignore the third player on their line and look for eachother. A decent chunk of DD's "nice passes" to Pac come from him blindly throwing a puck into the slot, and it making its way through skates and sticks and just getting to Pacioretty. He makes a lot of these passes that DONT make it to Patches and it looks horrible. When the puck does make it through it makes DD look like a genius.

I think the point of getting Chucky to center is to eventually (soon) have him play with Pac. A 1st line center playing with our top scorer. I dont see how anyone can watch Galchenyuk play, carry the puck, skate, and pass and not think "yeah, he's a center." Even if he doesn't pan out at C it at least needs to be tried.

Like most people here, I dont hate DD. But when you have 2 guys who both have higher ceilings playing behind him, you HAVE to give them the opportunity to reach it. I have no problem going into the season with DD on the top line. Galchenyuk should be eased into the center position instead of thrown into it. Injuries are bound to occur, and with Briere gone, Galchenyuk HAS to be our solution to that when the time comes. We see this kind of thing happen all the time: Player goes down, someone steps into his role and forces managements hands, that player has a great career because he took advantage when gives the opportunity. I see no reason why that cant happen with Chucks and we can trade someone mid season.

As long as Chucks sees some decent time at center this season I'll be happy. We have to at least start the transition this coming season.

[Guest habs1952]

From Noob in the Gilbert thread. Hits the nail on the head.

With all due respect if Gilbert isn't a true top 4 D then I wonder how many there actually are in the NHL. That's a pretty high bar if a guy who's been as good as Gilbert isn't a real top 4 D. http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/how-corsi-predicted-gilberts-breakout/ - Good piece on Gilbert and his career performance, everywhere he's gone his teams have been better with him on the ice than off, and everywhere he's gone fans have turned on him because he doesn't play physical.

What it speaks to is a mindset that there's an offense and defense dichotomy, and that there's certain qualities needed to do either role. Traditionally a DFD is Gorges, hits, blocks, plays solid in his own zone, while an OFD is Markov, flashy puck skills, good vision, and puts up points. Those that combine both are your Subban types that put up 50+ points a year and lay crushing hits and are solid in their own end. The problem is that's a skin deep view of what a defenseman does. Those are all tools to an end, and ultimately what matters for a defenseman and every skater is that you're driving the play in your team's favour. Gilbert does that. Markov does that. Gorges did that. The way they do it is window dressing and means little except in extreme situations like New Jersey being devoid of finishing talent.

The problem with looking at OFD vs DFD is it's valuing the player's inputs over their output. Subban uses puck skills, speed, physicality, and his shot to be elite. Markov uses passing, vision, and positioning to be a top pairing D. Gorges used shot blocks, smart hits, and positioning to be a solid top 4 guy. The common thread is that they're all successful because their collection of strengths allowed them to keep the play moving in the right direction. Gilbert is very close to even possession while facing tough opposition and taking tough zone starts. He may be viewed as an OFD but so far he's being used to good success in the same manner that Gorges was, and getting similar results. He's a puck mover and he makes good passes but he's not going to put up tons of points, nor is he going to put up big hits. What he is going to do is keep the ice tilted towards the opposition when he's on the ice, and for 2.8M and only 2 years term I don't see the problem.

[ColRouleBleu]

From Noob in the Gilbert thread. Hits the nail on the head.

With all due respect if Gilbert isn't a true top 4 D then I wonder how many there actually are in the NHL. That's a pretty high bar if a guy who's been as good as Gilbert isn't a real top 4 D. http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/how-corsi-predicted-gilberts-breakout/ - Good piece on Gilbert and his career performance, everywhere he's gone his teams have been better with him on the ice than off, and everywhere he's gone fans have turned on him because he doesn't play physical.

What it speaks to is a mindset that there's an offense and defense dichotomy, and that there's certain qualities needed to do either role. Traditionally a DFD is Gorges, hits, blocks, plays solid in his own zone, while an OFD is Markov, flashy puck skills, good vision, and puts up points. Those that combine both are your Subban types that put up 50+ points a year and lay crushing hits and are solid in their own end. The problem is that's a skin deep view of what a defenseman does. Those are all tools to an end, and ultimately what matters for a defenseman and every skater is that you're driving the play in your team's favour. Gilbert does that. Markov does that. Gorges did that. The way they do it is window dressing and means little except in extreme situations like New Jersey being devoid of finishing talent.

The problem with looking at OFD vs DFD is it's valuing the player's inputs over their output. Subban uses puck skills, speed, physicality, and his shot to be elite. Markov uses passing, vision, and positioning to be a top pairing D. Gorges used shot blocks, smart hits, and positioning to be a solid top 4 guy. The common thread is that they're all successful because their collection of strengths allowed them to keep the play moving in the right direction. Gilbert is very close to even possession while facing tough opposition and taking tough zone starts. He may be viewed as an OFD but so far he's being used to good success in the same manner that Gorges was, and getting similar results. He's a puck mover and he makes good passes but he's not going to put up tons of points, nor is he going to put up big hits. What he is going to do is keep the ice tilted towards the opposition when he's on the ice, and for 2.8M and only 2 years term I don't see the problem.

x 2

I was coming in here to post the same without having checked this thread first.

[BigTed3]

Post of the day thread is reserved for posts that people think are excellent or above average comments other people have made, not for people to post their own comments directly into, no matter how highly you think of your own thoughts! Thank you.

[HabsRuleForever]

Thanks, sums it up IMO.

Last night in the Pens/Rags game there was an almost identical slash .

Rag guy cuts behind the net (at speed) , Pens guy holds the end of his stick & 2-hand chops. landed in almost the same spot (but I guess not between the equipment )

Rag guy kept going , Pens guy got 2 minutes . End of story.

PK however gets 5 & a game & 2 days of soap opera comments.

[BigTed3]

Some very good points... really a possibility of teetering on disaster unless a change is made to the base system or there's a significant upgrade to the roster.

You may be right. Here's something to think about.

We were the healthiest team this season. In man games lost, we had 88. The closest second was the Rangers, with 126. The healthiest by far. Using Time Missed Impact to Team to measure it (from http://www.mangameslost.com/end-of-regular-season-nhl-man-games-lost-and-tmitt-metrics-april-16-2015/ ), we're also at the very high end. As well, Carey Price had one of the finest seasons a Montréal Canadiens goaltender has ever had.

What happens if either of those changes a little bit? It isn't going to be pretty. Particularly if significant roster improvements can't be made. It really won't take much to push this team into mediocrity.