The defenseman of the Blue Jackets -Part Deux
- Thread starter EspenK
- Start date
I agree, play him. Wiz and Prout have had terrible games lately, they shouldn't be unscratchable from time to time. And I personally really think Erixon is an NHL defenceman, with lots of untapped potential. He played some games last year where he was our best.
CBJWerenski8
Rest in Peace Johnny
- Jun 13, 2009
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First of all, we've missed Tyutin so far. He really is a steady, top-pair defensemen and getting him for Zherdev was one of Howson's finest hours. Until Saturday's game against the Islanders our defense has looked totally out of synch without him. Hope he's ready soon.
Wiz and JJ have had both good and bad moments, but we've always known they were gambling defennsemen who made mistakes but also brought game. They're a lot of our improved power play.
Ryan Murray appears to be everything advertised and has made up for some of Wiz's errors while complimenting his strength. As he can only get better, the top four look very, very good indeed. Right now he's one of our top four. Already! Why send him down when he truly looks like he belongs?
David Savard has been a big surprise for me. He looks much quicker and more aware than last season. I felt sure Erixon would win the #6 job, but right now he looks pretty darned good.
Nikki six has disappointed so far. He's made a number of turnovers and though he looked better against the Islanders, he really. He may really miss Tyutin.
Same with Dalton Prout, and with both of them its the first pass out of zone. Prout though looks better his his own zone, but for me that first pass means all the difference between clearing the zone and getting the line change and exhaustion. Prout's stick was never his strength.
Tim Erixon I haven't seen, but from all I've heard he was solid in the pre-season. So yes, I wouldn't be surprised to see someone traded. We've depth and our weaker defensemen would help several teams. Think about it: does Marc Methot make this team? Does he really? And Cody Golubef and Will Webber are developing in Springfield. We can afford to absorb some injuries (Wiz) and keep going. I like what I see so far, I just would like very much to see Prout and Nikitin fully recover their game.
Wiz and JJ have had both good and bad moments, but we've always known they were gambling defennsemen who made mistakes but also brought game. They're a lot of our improved power play.
Ryan Murray appears to be everything advertised and has made up for some of Wiz's errors while complimenting his strength. As he can only get better, the top four look very, very good indeed. Right now he's one of our top four. Already! Why send him down when he truly looks like he belongs?
David Savard has been a big surprise for me. He looks much quicker and more aware than last season. I felt sure Erixon would win the #6 job, but right now he looks pretty darned good.
Nikki six has disappointed so far. He's made a number of turnovers and though he looked better against the Islanders, he really. He may really miss Tyutin.
Same with Dalton Prout, and with both of them its the first pass out of zone. Prout though looks better his his own zone, but for me that first pass means all the difference between clearing the zone and getting the line change and exhaustion. Prout's stick was never his strength.
Tim Erixon I haven't seen, but from all I've heard he was solid in the pre-season. So yes, I wouldn't be surprised to see someone traded. We've depth and our weaker defensemen would help several teams. Think about it: does Marc Methot make this team? Does he really? And Cody Golubef and Will Webber are developing in Springfield. We can afford to absorb some injuries (Wiz) and keep going. I like what I see so far, I just would like very much to see Prout and Nikitin fully recover their game.
Looking at the Ice Time
http://www.nhl.com/scores/htmlreports/20132014/TV020024.HTM
I think Murray comes out for Tyutin on Thursday. He didn't play in the final 8 minutes of the game, while Savard got some key ice time. Savard-Nikitin was the best pairing through 2 games.
I think Savard is running with the opportunity he's been given. Taking him out now would be foolish.
http://www.nhl.com/scores/htmlreports/20132014/TV020024.HTM
I think Murray comes out for Tyutin on Thursday. He didn't play in the final 8 minutes of the game, while Savard got some key ice time. Savard-Nikitin was the best pairing through 2 games.
I think Savard is running with the opportunity he's been given. Taking him out now would be foolish.
EspenK
Registered User
- Sep 25, 2011
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First, howson's finest hour was the Testy trade.
Second, defense has been solid and does not miss Tyutin. Notice the lack of horrible turnovers by our D last night? That's what happens with him out of the lineup. I fuess we missed a few hot dog high risk passes and his shootout prowess...
Sore Loser
Sorest of them all
Murray has done about what I've expected him to do ... he's tried to be a difference maker, at times trying too hard to do just that. I think he would be better suited skating with someone who is more responsible than Wisniewski. At this point, if it's either pairing with Wisniewski or the AHL, I vote for the AHL. That pairing has been disastrous from the start.
EspenK
Registered User
- Sep 25, 2011
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I agree that Savard and Nikitin have looked solid. I would prefer to sit Prouter and Wiz for a game. That's one thing I don't like about coach Richards: he's always really slow to adjust ice-time to quality of play, like Umberger leading our forwards in ice-time last year. When you have this many good defencemen, sit the guys who are stinking it up.
For next game:
JJ-Tyuts
Murray-Nikitin
Erixon-Savard
IHZ, maybe you should watch the game again, Prouter had a half-dozen bad turnovers all by himself, JJ had a bad one, Murray a bad one. How do I see this and you don't? Tyutin seems to be kind of bi-polar when it comes to turnovers, he played about six weeks at the end of last year where he was amazing at not screwing up. I wonder if you would notice.
The big thing with playing with Wiz, IMO, is you need a quick defenceman, because Wiz is slow (He's gotten slower since he started here, don't you think?). Murray fits that bill. I haven't seen them screw each other up, its just one or the other will turn it over. Murray's turnovers haven't been Wiz's fault, and vice versa. (Although maybe a faster defenceman could have stopped that breakaway goal that came after Murray's giveaway).
I think Murray might improve pretty quickly. His mistakes are just about misgauging the speed of the game.. pass lanes closing, forecheckers coming too quick... Do I have this right?
Double-Shift Lasse
Just post better
Sore Loser
Sorest of them all
Both guys have had good moments, but overall haven't worked well together. You know that I'm (likely) the biggest Ryan Murray fan on this board ... so for me to say that he's better in the AHL than playing with James Wisniewski really says something. Wisniewski was far better in game 2 than he was in game 1, but we can't consider him anything other than a liability in our own end. As the old saying goes, he's an exciting player to watch - for many of the wrong reasons. I think our defense would work out well like this:
Johnson/Prout
Tyutin/Savard or Erixon
Nikitin/Wisniewski
Nikitin is an honest defender who is capable of making up for Wisniewski's mistakes ... Wisniewski should be playing as the #5/#6 guy, with a nod to his powerplay skill. Or, maybe they should try him up on the wing at even strength? Murray is certainly the future of our blueline, but he needs the right growing environment.
Iron Balls McGinty
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- Aug 5, 2005
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Wisniewski seems to take entirely too long yo adjust to game speed. I specifically remember 2 games last season that were his 1st game back from 2 different injuries. His play in both of those games singlehandedly cost the team the game. (And ultimately the playoffs)
I remember those games well, too. He was god awful. But remember we barely missed the playoffs, so there are a thousand things last year that could be said to be "the reason we missed the playoffs."
For me its simply that our blueline is only better through subtraction if you're subbing out Prout or Wiz from time to time. Murray hasn't been that bad, and he might learn up quick.
Columbus Jack
He's from Columbus
What really is a shame is that we are looking at subbing Murray out ( who has been better than Prout and Wiz) because hes 20 yrs old. Its pretty unfortunate how much contract plays into everything. Erixon and Tyutin should be subbing in for Prout and Wiz. Better yet, trade Wiz. I like to think Keks and Davidson are competent and would not hesitate at the thought of getting rid of Wiz. Too bad for the NTC
CBJWerenski8
Rest in Peace Johnny
- Jun 13, 2009
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Wisniewski was fine last night. Yes he was bad against Calgary, but keep in mind Murray was also awful vs Calgary. I don't think these two work together and bring each other down.
When Tyuts comes in, right now they need to take out Prout. He's looked horrid and you can tell he didn't play much in the preseason.
When Tyuts comes in, right now they need to take out Prout. He's looked horrid and you can tell he didn't play much in the preseason.
Sore Loser
Sorest of them all
I'm only saying subbing him out because it's obvious that Wisniewski won't be subbed out due to his contract. Murray has been fine.
Outside of a couple of glaring mistakes, I actually thought Murray was good against Calgary. He acted as a fourth forward at times and showed his potential off nicely. Notice how quick he is on the ice, without looking like he's moving quickly? That's what separates him from the pack, and will make him a good defenseman.
This would make me glad. Though he would still be helpful at evens when we're down a goal or two. Wiz produces lots of offence at evens too.
I agree. Prouter is waiver exempt this year, so let him get his legs back in Springy.
