Players Who Became The Opposite Of What They Were?

[Michael Farkas]

Yeah, like you said, "doesn't exactly fit the mold", but it's a good look at the subject. Bergeron isn't opposite because the opposite of Bergeron is a big hunk of [coal]...Bergeron - since he came in as an 18 year old 2nd round pick before the lockout (what a sentence!) - has shown world class adaptability.

Need him shut things down? Got it.
Need him to score some goals in close or from near-mid range? Can do.
Need me to keep things moving with a superstar wing? Just point him out and I'll facilitate.
Need me to impart wisdom on a terrific support winger to take him to the next level? I'll read to him every night before bed,

Whether Bergeron has "elite" offensive skills or not, sure, you can make a knock on him there if you want...but he's a super smart player, and Boston fans got a wholesale look at what adaptability means in the NHL. He seamlessly fits in anywhere and everywhere and turns it into a positive for his team.

 

[carjackmalone]

Mike Ricci

 

[VanIslander]

Juneau.

From offensive 1st line LW to defensive 3rd line center, he filled both roles awesomely!

He started as a scorer and retired at age 36 as a checker.

 

[OgeeOgelthorpe]

Peter Zezel and Mike Ricci.

Both players started out with some decent offensive chops but both became defensive specialists.

 

[VanIslander]

Zezel, no. He played out his contract. Ugh.

 

[VanIslander]

Ricci was picked 4th overall but his chops were defensive, he excelling as one of the greatest 4th line pivots in hockey history with his shift after shift greatness.

He, Tikkanen, Claude, ... cut from the same cloth: everything every time; the only gear is 'overdrive'.

 

[seventieslord]

....when was Mike Ricci ever 4th line?

 

[VanIslander]

....when was Mike Ricci ever 4th line?

In Colorado. I was a reporter then. I was there.

Love the fan aspect: he a top playa!

 

[NyQuil]

Mike Peca played here in Ottawa with the 67’s and was an offensive superstar.

He had 215 points in his final 110 regular season games in the OHL.

He outpaced the 2nd most offensive player on the team by 44 and 29 points in those two seasons despite playing 18 fewer games combined.

He later became one of the NHL’s most hard-nosed and respected defensive forwards.

His offensive skillset allowed him to keep pace with opposing centres and his hockey IQ and anticipation made life miserable for opposing teams.

 

[The Panther]

Mike Ricci

you mean handsome to ugly?

 

[seventieslord]

In Colorado. I was a reporter then. I was there.

Love the fan aspect: he a top playa!

.... So Stephane Yelle was the 3rd line center then?

 

[Yozhik v tumane]

.... So Stephane Yelle was the 3rd line center then?

Judging by their scoring logs, they seem to have been at least occasional linemates during their two seasons together.

 

[MS]

.... So Stephane Yelle was the 3rd line center then?

Yeah, Ricci was very obviously the 3C in Colorado and guys like Yelle/Troy Murray the 4C in those years.

The only time in his career Ricci played 4th line minutes was right at the end in Phoenix.

 

[ES]

Joel Armia was drafted as a skilled guy with a nice wrist shot but after he noticed he wasn't good enough for the top six role he improved his defensive game much and has built a decent career in bottom six.