hb12xchamps
Registered User
Chris Bourque suspended three games for boarding. I saw the hit live and didn’t think it was that bad. He hit a guy who was much much bigger than him
I had to double and triple check Jonsson Fjallby's listed height and weight with a couple different sources because watching live, it feels like he plays a way heavier game than his listed 170 lbs. He skates with a low center of gravity and flies around the ice like a wrecking ball, using his size and speed to be a disruptive force. He knocks opponents off the puck and makes offensive plays by out-hustling the other team.
Jonsson Fjallby loves going into the tough areas of the ice to make plays. He's always in the middle of the action and doing the dirty work to help create space for teammates.
Eh, more valuable than Gersich? Hard to agree there. They do need more centers to develop given that they only have Pilon in the system but Gersich remains the more toolsy of the two IMO. Plus, they don't have a wealth of scoring-line wingers either, particularly faster ones. Pinho has developed defensively and is certainly worth signing but I think of him as somewhat similar to Boyd in not being able project a particular NHL role for him. Has he developed so much defensively to be a bottom six, PKing type center? It seems doubtful in short order but that's the quick transition he's likely facing to have a shot (or a move to wing). That has value but I don't think he has clear-cut NHL tools to where he's the more essential signing thanks to playing center.Pinho IMO is more valuable to the organization given that our center depth is horrendous.
Very solid points. I guess it just goes to show how weak our forward group is prospect wise. I really hope they use their 1st and 2nd rounders on forwards, unless there's an absolute steal at D that drops to them.Eh, more valuable than Gersich? Hard to agree there. They do need more centers to develop given that they only have Pilon in the system but Gersich remains the more toolsy of the two IMO. Plus, they don't have a wealth of scoring-line wingers either, particularly faster ones. Pinho has developed defensively and is certainly worth signing but I think of him as somewhat similar to Boyd in not being able project a particular NHL role for him. Has he developed so much defensively to be a bottom six, PKing type center? It seems doubtful in short order but that's the quick transition he's likely facing to have a shot (or a move to wing). That has value but I don't think he has clear-cut NHL tools to where he's the more essential signing thanks to playing center.
It is a very curious development that they could lose two to three NCAA picks in recent years. Free agency is tempting but why have they struggled to form a bond or sense of loyalty? It would make me a lot less inclined to draft from that track, esp. if Gersich follows suit (at least later in the draft with players that will need most or all of those NCAA seasons).
Eh, more valuable than Gersich? Hard to agree there. They do need more centers to develop given that they only have Pilon in the system but Gersich remains the more toolsy of the two IMO. Plus, they don't have a wealth of scoring-line wingers either, particularly faster ones. Pinho has developed defensively and is certainly worth signing but I think of him as somewhat similar to Boyd in not being able project a particular NHL role for him. Has he developed so much defensively to be a bottom six, PKing type center? It seems doubtful in short order but that's the quick transition he's likely facing to have a shot (or a move to wing). That has value but I don't think he has clear-cut NHL tools to where he's the more essential signing thanks to playing center.
It is a very curious development that they could lose two to three NCAA picks in recent years. Free agency is tempting but why have they struggled to form a bond or sense of loyalty? It would make me a lot less inclined to draft from that track, esp. if Gersich follows suit (at least later in the draft with players that will need most or all of those NCAA seasons).
I thought that was odd as well. It's not like these guys aren't here in DC for Development Camp or with members of our organization at Rookie Camp and the Rookie Tourney in Florida....oh wait.For example how is it Mahoney has never met AJF face to face?! Build those relationships with your draftees....I don’t get that AT ALL.
I'm not too surprised given that I don't believe AJF was at the combine or the draft in his draft year. Those would have been prime opportunities but he has been to development camp (twice?) so it's not like he hasn't been nearby. (Plus, there have been other post-game possibilities over the years you'd think.) Post-draft it's generally Steve Richmond's job to maintain that interaction during the season and he would have had contact with Trotz and others in the summer but it's still rather awkward (particularly when Trotz is likely on the way out). That type of distance is also IMO part of why they don't really draft for character very often. Teams can still do their homework on a player's character by talking to staff, billets and the like but it should be a bigger area of emphasis than it has been. It's just one component but it should be a bigger part of their culture/identity. But part of that relationship also requires a more hands-on approach in terms of the very particular vision for how each player will improve...and I don't think they've managed that well either. Part of it's NHL coaching staff but it's more the overarching organizational developmental system and theirs is rather old school and cookie cutter it seems. That can't help either.For example how is it Mahoney has never met AJF face to face?! Build those relationships with your draftees....I don’t get that AT ALL.
They need to sign one of Pinho and Gersich, full-stop.
If they can’t sign either, there is a problem with their relationship with prospects.
When you draft out of the NCAA as frequently as the Capitals do, you're bound start getting burned by prospects walking sooner or later.
I think the main reason was that he was a fan of the Penguins growing up and they showed interest if I remember correctlyI still have not idea why Thomas DiPauli thought signing with the Pens was smarter than signing with the Caps.
Did he, or his agent, even look at the organizational depth chart of the Pens has compared to the Caps. He is 24 and hasn't played an NHL game yet. Just seems like a stupid career move.
I think the main reason was that he was a fan of the Penguins growing up and they showed interest if I remember correctly
But no team that I can recall has lost multiple players to other NHL teams via free agency. That would be the distinction should it indeed happen again this year. Unlike many past players like Hayes, Butcher or Vesey these aren't exactly marquee level prospects either. It's both more tolerable and less understandable because there should be less temptation for other teams to fast-track them and some level of familiarity which could give them an advantage in staying put. If they lose another two I'd venture it says less about the process and their rights than what is an increasingly suspect developmental environment, particularly for forwards.Not sure I agree with this. What incentive is there for an NCAA player who plays out his time in the NCAA to not test the market? The player is doing what's in their best interest. As noted elsewhere, this is becoming more widespread from NCAA prospects across the board. It was somewhat unheard of when Blake Wheeler did it, but now it happens basically every off-season. Hayes, Butcher, Kerfoot, Vesey, etc. They just need to make sure they stay relatively even on the NCAA balance sheet (as Colorado and Jersey did when they essentially swapped Butcher and Kerfoot).
Also remember they managed to change Sanford's mind after he had already committed to returning to BC for his junior season.
Hmmm...not sure there are too many teams who have lost multiple high profile prospects.Not sure I agree with this. What incentive is there for an NCAA player who plays out his time in the NCAA to not test the market? The player is doing what's in their best interest. As noted elsewhere, this is becoming more widespread from NCAA prospects across the board. It was somewhat unheard of when Blake Wheeler did it, but now it happens basically every off-season. Hayes, Butcher, Kerfoot, Vesey, etc. They just need to make sure they stay relatively even on the NCAA balance sheet (as Colorado and Jersey did when they essentially swapped Butcher and Kerfoot).
Also remember they managed to change Sanford's mind after he had already committed to returning to BC for his junior season.
From the Fox affiliate in Fargo...
From the Fox affiliate in Fargo...
From the Fox affiliate in Fargo...
He has NHL speed for sure.excited about this and to see what he can bring, but honestly mostly excited we did not lose him