Travis Dermott at Forward
- Thread starter Stephen
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Darcy Tucker
My Name is Bob
Sure, why not. Can't be any less effective than a few of the forwards taking a regular shift rught now.
Darcy Tucker
My Name is Bob
Stephen
Moderator
- Feb 28, 2002
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Hey, I always wanted to try Gardiner at forward too…
Buds17
Registered User
- Nov 29, 2015
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Not sure I see the need with him now playing regularly. He probably wouldn't be averaging any greater amount of ice time either with the forwards he'd figure to be in competition with (the bottom six). Edit: He actually is currently averaging more time on ice than the bottom six forwards are.
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Isn't that usually something people propose for offensive Dmen who are poor defensively?
Despite what some may think of Dermott he is very good defensively but a black hole offensively.
Despite what some may think of Dermott he is very good defensively but a black hole offensively.
Hard to change hockey mentality after playing 1,500 competitive games as a right side defender over 20 years .. not impossible but close to it
he would have to completely retrain his hockey brain. The forwards he would be competing with have decade(s) of pattern recognition to help them with the most important part of NHL hockey which is decision making. Which is done in about a nanosecond at the NHL level. That's quite a hurdle to overcome and the biggest reason you almost never see this happen.
Darcy Tucker
My Name is Bob
You need an attitude adjustment and a rhinoplasty good sir. For a layup.
Dermott can be an effective D partner if he keep things simple and lets Rielly do the offensive work, similar to Ron Hainsey who understood his role.
Dermott doesn’t have the offensive instincts to play forward, Jake Gardiner on the other hand could’ve made a decent forward, that was an experiment worth a shot.
Dermott doesn’t have the offensive instincts to play forward, Jake Gardiner on the other hand could’ve made a decent forward, that was an experiment worth a shot.
justashadowof
Registered User
- Aug 15, 2020
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Historically when it has worked to move a player back and forth between forward and defense it's because it's a player is both talented and highly intelligent. That player didn't always have to be a star level player either although that certainly didn't hurt. Here are some historical names off the top of my head: Mark Howe (star), Red Kelly (star), Sergei Fedorov (star), Sami Kapanen, Lou Nanne, Jimmy Roberts, Doug Mohns, Babe Pratt (star).
On this current team, 3 of the 4 star forwards could drop back and hold their own. Maybe Rielly could jump up and not embarrass himself. For a defenseman like Dermott, I think any random Marlies' forward would be better. Occasionally out of necessity with a roster short term roster issue a defenseman has to be moved up for a game or two.
On this current team, 3 of the 4 star forwards could drop back and hold their own. Maybe Rielly could jump up and not embarrass himself. For a defenseman like Dermott, I think any random Marlies' forward would be better. Occasionally out of necessity with a roster short term roster issue a defenseman has to be moved up for a game or two.
Mess
Global Moderator
Gary Leeman from defense to forward ----> traded to Calgary for Dougie Gilmour.
Wendel Clark from defense to forward ---> traded to Quebec for Mats Sundin.
Dermott from defense to forward ---------> traded to ??? for ????.
justashadowof
Registered User
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Todd Gill from defense to forward ----------> traded to San Jose for Jamie Baker. wah wah waaaaaaaaah
Doug Gilmour defense to forward --------> traded to New Jersey for Alyn McCauley, Jason Smith and Steve Sullivan
Stephen
Moderator
- Feb 28, 2002
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Stephen
Moderator
- Feb 28, 2002
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I’m really looking at it like can we make use of his athleticism, skating and decent hands somewhere else in the lineup in the short term. We are kind of in a TBD with whether or not the Leafs want to move off Holl, are totally comfortable with the Swedish Pair, etc.
Michael HOMERUNing
Registered User
- Feb 24, 2019
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I don’t get the hate for Dermott. He does just fine. He makes 1.5 million and can anchor a 3rd pair as good as anyone. I don’t get what people want to see from this guy. Isn’t it better if you don’t notice him?
Darcy Tucker
My Name is Bob
Jimmy Firecracker
Backcheck, Forecheck, Paycheque.
Which is fine. Sandin and Lily have outplayed both him and holl.
ITM
Out on the front line, don't worry I'll be fine...
- Jan 26, 2012
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There's comparisons and then comparisons. Titan level talent there. I think the take away is that the transition is very difficult for very good reasons. Don't think there's reason to believe Dermott has the goods to do so.
Stephen
Moderator
- Feb 28, 2002
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Don’t think anyone hates Dermott. Right now we have a $2 million guy in Holl who is sitting in the press box and we aren’t a team that can have that kind of cap money unused every night.
I just think Dermott is more convertible than Holl in the short term, while the Leafs figure out what they want to do with their defensive depth. Dermott is a great skater, has good hands and his offensive capabilities are untapped with his position on defense. Pop Holl back in the rotation, get a better athlete up front and get more speed in the forward group. Switch it back once a trade is sorted out.
