Mr Misty
The Irons Are Back!
- Feb 20, 2012
- 7,965
- 58
He's doing what he needs to do - PK and block shots (haven't seen the elite shotblocker yet, though). Gives up a better bottom-pairing and more depth, and I still will argue that we really didn't lose anything of significant value.
Wonder what Flames fans are seeing in Kevin?
Probably a young, CHEAP, 6'3 200+ lb defenseman who with good mobility, a guy who uses his size here and there, and who has better than average passing skills.
If this was completely accurate, we wouldn't have traded him, nor would we need to have acquired a defender.
Jyrki Jokipakka is a nothing player. No different than Alex Chiasson.
He is a replacement level player. Nothing more, nothing less.
Remember how we cried about waiving Kevin Connauton?
Same thing. Replaceable. Thanks for serving but we've got better guys coming through the pipeline.
A guy with a good shot and better than average passing skills has 8 points in 43 games... Hmm... Something seems off there.
He didn't use his size anymore than Oleksiak. Physicality was certainly not a part of his game. And size doesn't mean all that much outside of reach in that case.
Skating was average, maybe slightly above. Nothing special.
His hockey sense is pretty subpar as well.
He's a dime-a-dozen type of player, and he's not much of a loss. If he continues to grow and develop, good for him. I don't see that happening. He doesn't have a mind for the game, and his physical attributes aren't bad, but they're not high-end by any metric.
I don't understand being upset about losing a #6/7 defender at best. He didn't have a future here, no matter how you spin it. Yes, he's a fan favorite, but so was Ott and so was Eriksson. When both players were moved, there was a clear benefit to the team - something that I think is apparent here as well. Yes, it sucked to lose said player because we all liked them personally, but that's the price of success.
Jokkipakka is not fit to play 20+ minutes / a top 4 role and may never be. ( neither are Nemeth or Oleksiak for that matter ) . The team needed another veteran badly not another spare that can round out the defefense on the third pair / #6 .
I would feel even less comfortable than i feel currently if we still had all 3 of the scratch trio instead of Russel.
I'm still not sure it was worth the price ( although we didn't give up much anyway ) but the trade improved the team. Russel is a far better skater , puck mover and overall better player than Jokkipakka , Nemeth or Oleksiak. Thats not even a question.
I'm not upset about losing Jokipakka...see original question in the thread about what the Flames saw in Jokipakka.
I agree, he is replacable with our prospect depth, but I also think the Flames see him as having more upside than a #6/#7. If everything comes together for him, I could see him as a 2nd pairing guy.
Remember, Dallas will make just about any defenseman look pretty bad defensively...nonetheless basically a rookie D.
Was it worth the price? No.
What happens when we re-sign Russell and Demers and then cut ties with Goligoski?
Russell - Klingberg
Nemeth - Demers
Oduya - Backman/Oleksiak
Did we overpay? Sure. Was it a massive overpayment? Nope.
...Then we get even smaller and worse on our top-pairing.
What happens when we re-sign Russell and Demers and then cut ties with Goligoski?
Russell - Klingberg
Nemeth - Demers
Oduya - Backman/Oleksiak
Did we overpay? Sure. Was it a massive overpayment? Nope.
Size.
Doesn't.
Matter.
Haven't got cap space for 2 out of 3