International Grind Line is back...

[Brett38]

Doan, Draper, Maltby!!

They wanted a top defensive line. This line did it to Forsberg and company last year at the World Championship. Not only that, they can score. This is why Primeau didn't make it. Even though Primeau is having a great playoff.

The guys didn't take Nash, Lecavalier and others because they wanted to go with Richards, Marleau, Thornton.

We'll see!

 

[ehc73]

They're not playing on international ice, so it's a smaller surface. I guess they want speedy guys.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

Doan, Draper, Maltby!!

They wanted a top defensive line. This line did it to Forsberg and company last year at the World Championship. Not only that, they can score. This is why Primeau didn't make it. Even though Primeau is having a great playoff.

The guys didn't take Nash, Lecavalier and others because they wanted to go with Richards, Marleau, Thornton.

We'll see!

Who is "they?" Last time I checked Maltby and Draper were hardly elite scorers. Certainly not as accomplished as Primeau. I get the chemistry/continuity issues at work here, but make no mistake, Primeau is the superior player.

 

[leafaholix*]

Who is "they?" Last time I checked Maltby and Draper were hardly elite scorers. Certainly not as accomplished as Primeau. I get the chemistry/continuity issues at work here, but make no mistake, Primeau is the superior player.

I'd take Draper and Maltby over Primeau anyday when it comes to playing the PK and shutting down guys like Peter Forsberg. A couple guys that come to play every shift and are elite at what they do... and what they do is play amazing defensive hockey and are very much a threat on the PK.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

I'd take Draper and Maltby over Primeau anyday when it comes to playing the PK and shutting down guys like Peter Forsberg. A couple guys that come to play every shift and are elite at what they do... and what they do is play amazing defensive hockey and are very much a threat on the PK.

Like I said, as a unit, Draper and Maltby are great at what they do, and that's why they're both on Team Canada. IMO though, Keith Primeau is the superior individual talent.

 

[leafaholix*]

Like I said, as a unit, Draper and Maltby are great at what they do, and that's why they're both on Team Canada. IMO though, Keith Primeau is the superior individual talent.

That's true, but individual talents have a small role to play... it's a team game.

See the "Miracle on ice"... 1980.

 

[Brett38]

That's true, but individual talents have a small role to play... it's a team game.

See the "Miracle on ice"... 1980.

Man, I think I have to agree with this Leaf fan. Never thought I would agree with anyone from the Leafs. I guess we have to all come together because its Canada's team we're talking about.

Go Canada Go!!!

...that sounds good!

 

[Jussi]

Like I said, as a unit, Draper and Maltby are great at what they do, and that's why they're both on Team Canada. IMO though, Keith Primeau is the superior individual talent.

But the question is, can he shut down Forsberg as well as Draper and Maltby?

 

[Gags1288]

But the question is, can he shut down Forsberg as well as Draper and Maltby?

Why not, he shut down every top center he came across in the regular season. He has been an absolute force and had he not gotten hurt, he probably would have been the front runner for the Selke trophy. The fact that Keith Primeau is not on this team and guys like Yzerman, Gagne, Maltby, and Draper are is an absolute crime. He's been the best forward in the playoffs both offensively and defensively. Yea, he could shut down Forsberg. I've seen him shut down Lindros, Thornton, Sundin, so why would Peter be any different. I just can't believe the guy didn't make the team, i'm not sure what Gretz is thinking.

 

[Mr. Canucklehead]

There are some chemistry things to be considered when looking at Primeau as opposed to Draper and Maltby. Draper, Maltby and Doan formed an excellent two-way line for the 2003 WHC, and were arguably Canada's top line at both ends of the ice. They did it well on International ice, and all three are well known in the NHL for being strong two-way players. Primeau may be better individually than Maltby and Draper, but these three form a good, strong unit whereas Primeau is just one guy.

Hope that made some sense...

~Canucklehead~

 

[Vic Rattlehead*]

There are some chemistry things to be considered when looking at Primeau as opposed to Draper and Maltby. Draper, Maltby and Doan formed an excellent two-way line for the 2003 WHC, and were arguably Canada's top line at both ends of the ice. They did it well on International ice, and all three are well known in the NHL for being strong two-way players. Primeau may be better individually than Maltby and Draper, but these three form a good, strong unit whereas Primeau is just one guy.

Hope that made some sense...

~Canucklehead~

I totally agree

 

[Kugel]

i can see having the doan-draper-maltby line........but morrow over primeau.......that is stupid.....

 

[Mr. Canucklehead]

i can see having the doan-draper-maltby line........but morrow over primeau.......that is stupid.....

I agree there. They must have felt Morrow's performance over the regular season, playoffs and WHC was better than Primeau's. Although Primeau is putting on a sparkling Playoff performance, so that makes me question the logic behind that move again...

~Canucklehead~

 

[sonnytheman]

can Primeau play on the wing? Because right now they have a lot of centres, with Thornton, Sakic, Marleau, Draper, Richards, etc. all being natural centres. That may have been one of the reasons they chose Morrow, to get a natural winger. Though I do wish they would have chosen Rick Nash over him. Hopefully they don't lose because they are having trouble scoring, because that would be tragic, what with a soon-to-be-Rocket-Richard-trophy-winner sitting at home.

 

[Vincent Vega]

Sonny - Brad Richards can play LW and I'm pretty sure that Marleau can to.

IMO what puts Keith Primeau above and beyond as the #1 shutdown center in the leauge is the fact that he is 6'5.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

But the question is, can he shut down Forsberg as well as Draper and Maltby?

Actually, my question is: will Forsberg allow himself to be "stopped" again by the likes of Draper and Maltby?