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Am I crazy to think Harpur>Mikkola for 6D?

I think Mik is better but Harpur is our most serviceable 7th in a long time. He brings some protection/grit that we need as well.

I think it would be crazier to think that Jones or Hajek would be able to step in a playoff environment and play well. Keep in mind they both had plenty of games with the big club.
 
kyk1827 said:
Does anyone else feel the same?

Mikkola basically just feels like harpur but more risky and much much much bigger liability to take penalties. I never thought id utter these words but ben harpur’s game has grown on me.
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Nope. Mikkola is what he is, a #6 defenseman on a decent team who would be best served as a 7th. Harpur is this year's Patrik Nemeth on his best day, and Stu Bickel on his worst. The guy has no right being on this team. At least Hajek, well, nevermind, they both suck.

In a perfect world, Jones or Robertson would be our 6 and Mikkola the 7. But this is Drury and Gallant here so no expectations.
 
Uglybstrd said:
I dont mind Harpur as a #7/#8 D at 787500. Insurance if someone gets injured or Robertson/Jones isnt ready. He`s a good trooper, just not very good, but all teams in the league needs players like that.
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Yeah, we always focus on the 3rd pair and complain that it isn't good enough but look around the league and we have one of the best 3rd pairs in the league. Having Harpur as the 7th is a blessing.

Boston has Clifton and Forbort
Colorado has Johnson and Hunt
Tampa has Černák and Cole
Vegas has Hague and Whitecloud
New Jersey has Smith and Severson

No team in the league has a flawless 3rd pair
 
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kyk1827 said:
Does anyone else feel the same?

Mikkola basically just feels like harpur but more risky and much much much bigger liability to take penalties. I never thought id utter these words but ben harpur’s game has grown on me.
Click to expand...
Harpur has been playing well lately. He was sitting for a while and got a bit stale. This run with Lindgren out has gotten Harpur back on-track.
But, Mikkola is - to me - head and shoulders better. Mikkola plays big every shift. If you asked any opponent, they would much prefer to see Harpur on the ice than Mikkola. In my humble opinion.
 
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kyk1827 said:
Does anyone else feel the same?

Mikkola basically just feels like harpur but more risky and much much much bigger liability to take penalties. I never thought id utter these words but ben harpur’s game has grown on me.
Click to expand...

I see relatively no difference except what you’ve noted. Harpur is safer. Mikkola is riskier. I prefer safer out of my 6D. I would go Harpur.

But there is no doubt Mikkola will be the guy, as he has been the guy Gallant has slotted up right now.
 
GENESISPuck94 said:
Harpur might be the worst defenseman the Rangers have had taking a regular shift since the dark ages. Even Redden had at least some redeeming quality. Bickel could fight. And to allow him to wear #5... that number should have been retired a long time ago with Cook's name on the banner. It's even a slap to Girardi.

The minute Lindgren is back in the lineup Harpur should never skate another shift in a Rangers uniform.
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Mike Kostka #4 was ALOT worse
 
The idea that this guy or that is the worst we've ever had is almost always dumb. I look at Mikkola as a bottom pairing guy who can move into the second pair LD in a pinch. He has size, decent physicality and he moves really well for his size. He can be a bit reckless at times. Harpur's been fine as a 7D for us this year though. I prefer him to both Hajek and Jones (at least right now) as a bottom pair D. What I like about Harpur is he makes safe plays within his skillset and he hasn't taken a lot of penalties while at the same time he adds to the physical profile of our defense. To a degree he's a bit like Chara in his last years---his skating is below average but as long as he stays in his lane his reach, his ability to get in the way, that physical play has kept him from being a real detriment.

To comment further on Hajek---his confidence issues and a tendency to blow up under pressure are his main problems. He's had good games now and again though. It's not like I think he's terrible. Jones I just don't see as physically ready for NHL playoff hockey. What I want out of a guy on a bottom pair in the playoffs is good, strong, physical D first and foremost. When not sure make the safe play, hit and grind.
 
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Amazing Kreiderman said:
Yeah, we always focus on the 3rd pair and complain that it isn't good enough but look around the league and we have one of the best 3rd pairs in the league. Having Harpur as the 7th is a blessing.

Boston has Clifton and Forbort
Colorado has Johnson and Hunt
Tampa has Černák and Cole
Vegas has Hague and Whitecloud
New Jersey has Smith and Severson

No team in the league has a flawless 3rd pair
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A lot of those teams have injuries. Point stands, but still.

Boston should be : McAvoy, Lindholm, Grelzcyk, Carlo, Orlov, Clifton

Colorado should be: Makar, Toews, Byram, Manson, Girard, E. Johnson

Hague and Whitecloud are unheralded but both solid on the bottom pair. Ian Cole is old as shit but they have other options like Perbix and Fleury; Cernak is pretty solid.

But with Lindgren in and Mikkola replacing Harpur I like our bottom pair as much as most any out there. I think Mikkola is better than he’s being given credit for - people are looking at the PIMs more than the play, IMO. Mikkola has been whistled on some soft shit that is likely not getting called in the post season, and he’s the kind of nasty but mobile D I want on my bottom pair in the post season.

Harpur is a liability because he can’t move. In the playoffs that gets exposed 2x when the intensity picks up.
 
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I actually agree that Harpur is better than Mikkola. I'm concerned that Mikkola is easy to get around, offers no toughness, struggles with transition defense and seems pretty lost overall. Mikkola also rushes shots on net far too much in the offensive zone. Harpur at least provides toughness. It's not like one is far better than the other at any one aspect of the game and if all things are equal, I actually trust Harpur more.
 
LokiDog said:
A lot of those teams have injuries. Point stands, but still.

Boston should be : McAvoy, Lindholm, Grelzcyk, Carlo, Orlov, Clifton

Colorado should be: Makar, Toews, Byram, Manson, Girard, E. Johnson

Hague and Whitecloud are unheralded but both solid on the bottom pair. Ian Cole is old as shit but they have other options like Perbix and Fleury; Cernak is pretty solid.

But with Lindgren in and Mikkola replacing Harpur I like our bottom pair as much as most any out there. I think Mikkola is better than he’s being given credit for - people are looking at the PIMs more than the play, IMO. Mikkola has been whistled on some soft shit that is likely not getting called in the post season, and he’s the kind of nasty but mobile D I want on my bottom pair in the post season.

Harpur is a liability because he can’t move. In the playoffs that gets exposed 2x when the intensity picks up.
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Exactly. I have moments where I think maybe Harpur can be serviceable as a 7th D. Then, right on cue, under no pressure standing on his goal line with the puck on his stick and facing the play, he'll hold onto the puck for 3 seconds, turn to the end boards, and promptly get pinned in his own end for 45 seconds.

Then I'm immediately reminded of the importance of getting Lindgen healthy and keeping the whole top 6 healthy so Harpur doesn't see a single minute of playoff hockey.
 
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