Around the League Part XIII: The season's here, and so still is this thread!

[Benjamin]

Man oh man....Mtl lost 7-1 and were outshot 17-41 at home?

Sure makes me feel better about our performance so far.

 

[Karlsson2Turris*]

lol mtl

 

[albator71]

Hedman tonight was a stud, hes got game!

Him and Stamkos did a number on the Habs tonight, they put a big smile on my face.

 

[NyQuil]

I've liked Hedman since he was drafted.

A guy that big with hands like that? Only a matter of time before he emerged as an elite force.

I know Cowen won't have the same kind of career progression as Hedman (certainly wasn't a 1st overall pick) but I think it's still worth saying that bigger d-men take longer to hit their stride.

 

[Six Assets]

I've liked Hedman since he was drafted.

A guy that big with hands like that? Only a matter of time before he emerged as an elite force.

I know Cowen won't have the same kind of career progression as Hedman (certainly wasn't a 1st overall pick) but I think it's still worth saying that bigger d-men take longer to hit their stride.

Cowen is a dumb player, it's his biggest flaw

 

[NyQuil]

Cowen is a dumb player, it's his biggest flaw

Seems to be.

He has Phaneuf moments.

 

[Do Make Say Think]

Cowen's biggest flaw is his lack of focus: he makes dumb plays at the worst of times. I remain hopeful that this is something that, considering how rocky the start of his career has been, he can fix

 

[Xspyrit]

Cowen's biggest flaw is his lack of focus: he makes dumb plays at the worst of times. I remain hopeful that this is something that, considering how rocky the start of his career has been, he can fix

Cowen overthinks his decisions, like "should I do that or that". Yes, hesitation can make you look dumb at the NHL level because it goes freaking fast.

Cowen has to play with his instincts, if he does he can easily be a top-pairing D-man. If he doesn't he will be a ordinary #4, maybe #3 in his best years.

 

[Nac Mac Feegle]

Seems to me, Cowen's biggest problem is success. It feels like, whenever he has a really good period of play, or a really good game, he starts thinking that everything is super duper and starts playing outside of his comfort zone.

Like the first game, he had a spectacular first 20 minutes, and a strong second period...then in the third he thought he was a bigger version of Karlsson and started trying to do the offensive defenseman routine. Same thing in the second game.

It's like, he really does well, gains confidence, then tries to do a little bit too much and pushes the envelope too far and stumbles.

If Cowen could only learn to stay within his limitations and play a simple, stay-at-home game he will thrive.

 

[Caeldan]

Hedman I remember touted as potentially the next Pronger, with Hal Gill being the bust version.
Seems like he's becoming a Chara though.

I think people's problems with Cowen is that they want him to just be a big hard hitting stay at home defenseman... But that's not what he was advertised as when drafted. He was supposed to be a big smooth skating offensive threat. And that's the game he's trying to get back to, but it doesn't work if he's paired with someone like Karlsson because you can't have two of those risky players on the same d line

 

[Major Might]

http://capitalsoutsider.com/2014/10...ps/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Sounds like our fan base after every loss. lol

Totally NSFW.

 

[SenzZen]

Subban getting walked by Callahan.

Made my day when I saw the highlights this morning. Pure hilarity.

There would have been a 10 page long thread had that been Karlsson. Instead he played Cally like this:

 

[Micklebot]

Hedman I remember touted as potentially the next Pronger, with Hal Gill being the bust version.
Seems like he's becoming a Chara though.

I think people's problems with Cowen is that they want him to just be a big hard hitting stay at home defenseman... But that's not what he was advertised as when drafted. He was supposed to be a big smooth skating offensive threat. And that's the game he's trying to get back to, but it doesn't work if he's paired with someone like Karlsson because you can't have two of those risky players on the same d line

I honestly don't recall Cowen ever being regarded as an offensive player in his draft year. Good skater for his size was common, but offensive threat?

I remember the comparable being tossed around was Seabrook with a little less offense.

 

[Quo]

As I recall, he was a big, smooth-skating defensive stalwart who was just beginning to show potential in his offensive game.

 

[Do Make Say Think]

Seems to me, Cowen's biggest problem is success. It feels like, whenever he has a really good period of play, or a really good game, he starts thinking that everything is super duper and starts playing outside of his comfort zone.

Like the first game, he had a spectacular first 20 minutes, and a strong second period...then in the third he thought he was a bigger version of Karlsson and started trying to do the offensive defenseman routine. Same thing in the second game.

It's like, he really does well, gains confidence, then tries to do a little bit too much and pushes the envelope too far and stumbles.

If Cowen could only learn to stay within his limitations and play a simple, stay-at-home game he will thrive.

I know the feeling

I'm very much like that myself

 

[Xspyrit]

http://capitalsoutsider.com/2014/10...ps/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Sounds like our fan base after every loss. lol

Totally NSFW.

wow, I hope it's a parody or this guy has serious mental problems. It's just a freaking game dude.

But when when you look at the poster behing him, it's not a surprise... Gooning it up is not what made the Bruins successful

Is this real life? lol

Unfortunately, it probably is.

 

[Caeldan]

As I recall, he was a big, smooth-skating defensive stalwart who was just beginning to show potential in his offensive game.

I decided to go back and look, sound bytes included from his draft thread:

"Cowen's going to be a rock," Burstyn said. "I absolutely love his composure, I love his maturity and I love his size. I love his skill-set, we've both talked about how his offensive skills have not quite developed and I think that has a lot to do with the system in which Spokane has adopted. This guy's going to be a 15-year pro. He's going to be that guy that Hockey Night in Canada's going to profile during the playoffs as that ultimate shutdown guy."

"I've watched Jared Cowen since he's been a bantam player," a Western Hockey League head coach said. "He's a defenceman that can log a lot of ice time. He sees the ice extremely well. He's a well-rounded defenceman, he's got great offensive upside and defensively he's very responsible. He uses his size and his strength to his advantage."

"I think once he gets to the pro level and the NHL level and realizes that it's called a little bit differently you'll see him develop a little bit more of a mean and nasty streak which he doesn't quite have now," Burstyn said. "I absolutely love what Jared Cowen brings. He's a player that a lot of GMs probably picking in the top five will have a hard time passing up. There are some better players I'd say but when you look back on this draft in four or five years at players that are really valuable to their team and play within a certain role, Jared Cowen's going to be that guy that helps you win championships."

Also, the board opinion of him here:
http://hfboards.mandatory.com/showthread.php?t=663577

So I guess I was remembering the offensive upside part a bit more clearly. Also funny to go back and re-read opinions from a few years ago... like how everyone was still high on Brian Lee. Actually it seems Ceci is currently being talked like him a bit now (minus the whole 'Murray isn't giving him a chance because he's a Muckler pick' thread).

 

[Very Stable Genius]

Seeing Spezza float around the D-zone is mildly amusing. Also, the Capitals are awful.

 

[FolignoQuantumLeap]

John Scott scored a goal? Is this real life?

 

[Caeldan]

John Scott scored a goal? Is this real life?

It's awesome... he skates it in from the neutral zone and 'snipes' Holtby... Also has his head down the entire time trying to puck handle.
[NHL]2014020040-30-h[/NHL]


Plus Matt Irwin got his first and second goals in 38 games (and first 2 goal game of his career).

 

[Carrie Underwood]

another minus for spezza. i dont miss him

 

[FolignoQuantumLeap]

Linesmen break up a pending fight between Iginla and Phaneuf. No reason to break up a fight between two willing combatants, I hate the officiating in this league.

 

[Quo]

They could not separate Jamie Benn and Foligno in Columbus. Nick on the loosing end.

 

[OmniSens]

What a save behind Rinne by Roy.

 

[PatrickEaves]

John Scott scored a goal? Is this real life?

He has more goals this season than Bobby Ryan.