Yeah.
The picks are more valuable than wins and the cup.
GMs are morons. Vanek is easily a 1 rounder.
I think Holland will and should bring him back. He is just lent to pantheras for a 3rd.
Yeah.
Maybe Chara today would be a decent fight, but Chara in his prime? Could not disagree more. Chara in his prime would have handled Ericsson.
Who are the best fighters E has even faced at the NHL level? Clowe, Benn, Simmonds, and Clarkson? And he's what, 1-4 or 1-3-1 in those fights? 1-2-2 if you're insanely generous?
Chara used to drop them with the likes of Laraque, Brashear, and Simon and has wins over actual fighters like Shelley, Ivanans, Thorburn, Cairns, Rupp, and Dingman.
Ericsson has fought guys like Mackinnon and Stafford. Chara, unless in extreme retaliation, pretty much laughs off most guys. Brendan Smith is a decent fighter and we seen Chara amused by him.
That's certainly growing true.
Yeah, I don't question Ericsson's fighting, either. At worst he usually breaks even, and the Simmons fight is the only one I remember him getting thoroughly drubbed in.
Caught part of the Griffins game tonight before I lost my feed. He didn't really stand out, though he got run once and still did the majority of the damage. Big big guy. Seems really solid. Also seemed pretty slow.
Well kinks can be worked on, bad habits can be changed.
IMO, re-signing him is a good move. He won't cost much, and if he can be an NHL defenseman with coaching, what will it hurt?
Still love this kid from his time with the Rangers.
Never got a fair shake.
He's tough and can fight cool, let's get that out of the way. A couple things I noticed while he was with the Rangers which lead me to believe he can be an NHL defensemen. To be fair I list where he needs work as well.
Some positives:
+ Excellent first pass (someone posted Schultz video, the beginning)...really executes zone exits well
+ Closes gaps at the blueline...no one is coming at him head on or taking the boards on him
+ Actually moves very well up and down the ice and once he gets his stride skates very well
+ Awesome teammate, obviously stands up for everyone
+ Cannon of a slap shot, gets his whole body behind it
+ Lays very jarring hits that remove opponents from the puck
Some negatives:
- Needs to work on his lateral movement, which is still iffy and he gets caught up in his own feet.
- Sometimes leaves his position to make the big hit
- Accuracy on slapshot needs work
- Prone to dumb penalties occasionally because of the lack of lateral quickness.
He honestly was one of our better defensemen in the 30 or so games he played last year. Only got two or so games this year and came in cold after sitting for extended periods in the rafters.
Kid is smart too and a really hard worker.
If he can put it all together and really get his lateral movement down he can be a special player.
Can't make a guy more skilled. Don't want him on our NHL or AHL roster, personally.
I'm hoping this is an accurate assessment, because I think I just hardened a little. I'm dying for the Wings to work with this kid and give him a chance. I know I'm in the minority, and have been for some time (regarding fighting/enforcers in general, as well as Dylan here).
The Wings are so soft, even when he scores I want to punch Nyquist's face in.
Honest question, after watching last nights game, is there a glut on the backend, what would keep him down?
He actually has some skills.
Good shot. Physical. Good on the boards.
I disagree with that assessment, and was not surprised to see him pass through waivers twice this season.
We have plenty of guys we need to make room for in GR next year, I'd be glad to part ways with him. We have Hronek, Saarijarvi, and likely De Haas coming. So unless we are going to replace someone like Lashoff with McIlrath, then I say dump him.
Snarl and physicality is useless in today's league if you don't have the wheels to keep up. Fighting well is entertaining and net-clearing would be great on the PK but that doesn't get you an NHL spot when 97% of the rest of your game requires mobility. You can't just wave away a defenseman's lack of mobility in this league anymore, particularly lateral movement. The stay-at-home defenseman is dead in that respect - all defenseman have to leave base in order to be effective in this league.
Why would you trade for a player and then not bring him up for a look?
Why would you trade for a player and then not bring him up for a look?
I disagree with that assessment, and was not surprised to see him pass through waivers twice this season.
We have plenty of guys we need to make room for in GR next year, I'd be glad to part ways with him. We have Hronek, Saarijarvi, and likely De Haas coming. So unless we are going to replace someone like Lashoff with McIlrath, then I say dump him.
I stand by it.
Also, if he replaces Lashoff, I'm ok with that.
I respect that.
Would you put him on the NHL or AHL roster. My biggest thing is, I want there to be room for Hronek and Saarijarvi next year... and the AHL roster is already pretty crowded. And I've never been impressed with what I've seen from him in the NHL. Biggest issue there is he has heavy feet.