I agree. He sees the ice as well as anyone out there. Not the most robust of defensemen though. But if he learns to adjust to that he could become a solid lower pairing D-man and a PP specialist. Like a Streit-lite.
Raphael Diaz - the forgotten dman
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I agree. He sees the ice as well as anyone out there. Not the most robust of defensemen though. But if he learns to adjust to that he could become a solid lower pairing D-man and a PP specialist. Like a Streit-lite.
Agreed with bells on. He's not very robust, tough, or hard to play against, so he won't be able to manage or earn top-4 minutes in this league. But he makes very good decisions with the puck and he can contribute on the PP with his vision and passing skills. With limited minutes on the 3rd pairing he'll be a good fit.
The defense LA won the cup with is not exactly a bunch of maulers and neither is New Jersey. I'd rather have too many PMD's than not enough. Other than Greene LA is not too ferocious. Emelin and Subban are thunderous hitters and Bouillon packs a punch. Gorges like Michell is more of steady reliable guy taht blocks shots.
I remember a good stretch last season where our 2nd D-pair was: Emelin-Diaz. I though they did a great job together and remember thinking they would be a solid bottom pairing if we could fill out the top 4 competently. Just need another guy to fit with Markov/Subban/Gorges...
Habtchum*
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Myron Gaines*
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Habtchum*
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Myron Gaines*
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Our D does have too many similar pieces and even more than toughness is undersized and lacks a Gill-like big guy that can screen on penalty kills..but if Kaberle and Markov can be 75% of what they were at their primes that's a ridiculously skilled blueline and if he can maintain puck possession (though I don't think Therrien cares about that) then it will mask some of the flaws.
Myron Gaines*
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And how exactly does that make him a perfect partner for Subban? Do explain. There's a hell of a lot more that goes into being an NHL defenseman than being 'strong and tenacious'.
It doesn't matter how small he is, he plays big. And offensive contributions mean nothing when you're icing subban, markov, kabs/diaz
I just don't think he can play those even strength minutes.
Boullion played 18 minutes a game last year..he might be able to go 20 but I don't see him lasting long with much more than that.
Diaz? No, but he can speak French.
Myron Gaines*
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He plays big 'cause he has no choice, his physical play doesn't make enough of an impact for him to play minutes along with Subban.
Myron Gaines*
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'Cause he's too small for the type of game he plays.
Nothing wrong in saying that. Each time someone mentions size in this board it's as if someone killed a puppy.
Mine is that at this point in his career he's a 6D who probably can't physically hold up in any role bigger than that. While his physical style is nice to have, it's value is limited when it directly results in him being unable play regularly.
The vicious cycle of the Habs board. You have people so obsessed with height and insecure about being called "smurfs" by Bruins fans that you have, in reaction, people who will refuse to acknowledge that being very small limits guys like Boullion and Desharnais.
Not necessarily cuz he's small. It's possible, of course.
I found it very odd that they decided to pay him 1.5 million to play what I can only imagine will be a 6-7D role. What the habs needed was someone to clear the crease.
Myron Gaines*
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overlords said:
Bouillon is decidedly terrible at clearing the crease. I have very low expectations for him.
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