Kick Save 10-27-2005, 02:12 PM I know he's diminutive, but if the new NHL rules stick---and I think they will---small, highly-skilled players can (and will) be quite effective. In the old days, I used to side with Dirk when he constantly bemoaned the Ducks lack of toughness. However, now that Kip Brennan, Todd Fedoruk and Travis Moen all have earned roster spots, I don't think the Ducks have to worry about getting pushed around.
I realize it's very early in the season, but Shannon has put up some points and seems to have a knack for scoring.
I'd appreciate a scouting report from any of you who have seen him play. Thanks.
jr77812 10-27-2005, 03:26 PM Very good offensive skills. Good speed. Good hands. Nice vision. You could say natural goal scorer. He's been a key in virtually every Portland home game (can't speak for the road).
That said...size still matters. More so in the NHL then the AHL and at 5-9/175 he isn't an awe inspiring presence on the ice.
He is listed as a center but has been primarily the LW on a line with Konopka at C and Penner on the RW (although Kunitz's presence caused Dineen to shake that up a bit last weekend). He is also out on the 1st PP unit.
I like what he offers as a first line player for Portland but I don't see him having a big impact on Anaheim. Granted that is my assessment only after seeing him play 3 home games...take it for what it is worth. ;)
Kick Save 10-27-2005, 04:31 PM Very good offensive skills. Good speed. Good hands. Nice vision. You could say natural goal scorer. He's been a key in virtually every Portland home game (can't speak for the road).
That said...size still matters. More so in the NHL then the AHL and at 5-9/175 he isn't an awe inspiring presence on the ice.
He is listed as a center but has been primarily the LW on a line with Konopka at C and Penner on the RW (although Kunitz's presence caused Dineen to shake that up a bit last weekend). He is also out on the 1st PP unit.
I like what he offers as a first line player for Portland but I don't see him having a big impact on Anaheim. Granted that is my assessment only after seeing him play 3 home games...take it for what it is worth. ;)
Appreciate the response. Size does still matter, but less than it did in the old grab-and-clutch NHL. Would Andy McDonald be a fair comparison?
CHRDANHUTCH 10-27-2005, 07:35 PM Very good offensive skills. Good speed. Good hands. Nice vision. You could say natural goal scorer. He's been a key in virtually every Portland home game (can't speak for the road).
That said...size still matters. More so in the NHL then the AHL and at 5-9/175 he isn't an awe inspiring presence on the ice.
He is listed as a center but has been primarily the LW on a line with Konopka at C and Penner on the RW (although Kunitz's presence caused Dineen to shake that up a bit last weekend). He is also out on the 1st PP unit.
I like what he offers as a first line player for Portland but I don't see him having a big impact on Anaheim. Granted that is my assessment only after seeing him play 3 home games...take it for what it is worth. ;)
Road games as well JR, everyone has been impressed and why is he only signed to a Pirate deal is the major head-scratcher is so far a successful season.
HockeySport 10-28-2005, 10:36 AM Ya think Shannon has hear this before?
Kevin Forbes 10-28-2005, 12:45 PM Ya think Shannon has hear this before?
Undoubtably he has, and he will continue to hear it.
Frankly, the size issue will be continue to be an issue until he proves otherwise. Let him have a successful season in the AHL, let him get a contract with Anaheim and make an NHL debut, and then he can start proving people wrong.
Serious question for all of you folks high on Shannon... why shouldn't I think he's just another Bob Wren? In other words a small guy that scores bunches in the minors but won't/can't play in the NHL game.
To be a small player in the NHL you have to have star level talent and I don't think anyone believes Shannon has that.
Kick Save 10-28-2005, 01:19 PM Serious question for all of you folks high on Shannon... why shouldn't I think he's just another Bob Wren? In other words a small guy that scores bunches in the minors but won't/can't play in the NHL game.
To be a small player in the NHL you have to have star level talent and I don't think anyone believes Shannon has that.
I see your point, but many Ducks fans knocked Kariya when the Ducks used the #4 pick overall to take him using the same argument you're using. Assuming the refs continue to enforce the new rules, it will be a lot easier for small, skillful guys.
I posed the question about Shannon because I don't know much about him. I just think that anybody with a demonstrable scoring knack should be given a hard look by a team like the Ducks who couldn't score goals in 2003-2004 and appear to be afflicted with the same malady this season (albeit extremely early).
Pwnasaurus 10-28-2005, 02:08 PM But Kariya was arguably the best collegiate hockey player I'll see in my lifetime.
I see your point, but many Ducks fans knocked Kariya when the Ducks used the #4 pick overall to take him using the same argument you're using. Assuming the refs continue to enforce the new rules, it will be a lot easier for small, skillful guys.
Kariya doesn't have star talent, he has super star talent.
And lets just say I'm skeptical that the new NHL will make life easier for a small player.
McDonald19 10-28-2005, 09:24 PM 2 more goals tonight...
http://ahl.leaguestat.com/stats/game-summary.php?game_id=1001122
Randall Graves* 10-28-2005, 10:06 PM I didn't realize Shannon was only 22 years old, where did the ducks find this guy?
jr77812 10-29-2005, 05:17 PM Played a great game last night. BTW Dineen moved Penner to the left and Shannon to the RW. Don't know why (both end up on the same side of the ice 3/4 of the time anyway). But it paid off for both of them last night. Shannon's 2nd goal was simply great work by Penner and Shannon had the knack to be right in front waiting when Penner curled back to the net. Easy pass and sweet goal...
I really like how Shannon, Konopka, and Penner seem to feed off each other. Very nice line for Portland.
jr77812 10-30-2005, 01:01 AM So much for that Shannon-Konopka-Penner line.
Konopka was called up per the Pirate's people...not sure who is out for Anaheim but that was the word in Portland tonight.
190Octane 10-30-2005, 01:26 PM So much for that Shannon-Konopka-Penner line.
Konopka was called up per the Pirate's people...not sure who is out for Anaheim but that was the word in Portland tonight.
Who isn't out for the Ducks right now?
McDonald19 10-30-2005, 01:41 PM So much for that Shannon-Konopka-Penner line.
Konopka was called up per the Pirate's people...not sure who is out for Anaheim but that was the word in Portland tonight.
Ducks are going to need to call up a D-man too, once they have the salary cap space (Fedorov has to be out for 10 games for his salary to temporarily leave the cap number), as they only have 6 healthy ones at the moment.
Kick Save 10-31-2005, 08:07 PM Kariya doesn't have star talent, he has super star talent.
And lets just say I'm skeptical that the new NHL will make life easier for a small player.
You think the fact that Andy Mac has five goals in his last five goals is strictly fortuitous?
Randall Graves* 10-31-2005, 08:55 PM If the rules stay like they are for a few years then maybe Shannon has a place in the NHL. I've never seen him play though.
You think the fact that Andy Mac has five goals in his last five goals is strictly fortuitous?
I think he's playing with Teemu Selanne.
Kick Save 11-01-2005, 04:25 PM I think he's playing with Teemu Selanne.
True, but Selanne's another beneficiary of the new rules. I know that he had knee surgery and had a year to rest up, but his productivity for the past three or four NHL seasons (i.e., through 2003-2004) was woeful.
Look, smaller players will always be at a disadvantage. I'm merely suggesting that that disadvantage has been minimized by the new rules. By automatically dismissing smaller players, you would've eliminated players like Theo Fleury. (While that may have been a good during the latter stages of his career, that was attributable to his substance-abuse problems, not his lack of size.)
If Shannon has the talent, there's no reason why he couldn't be paired with a center who's bigger and stronger than MacDonald (e.g., Getzlaf). I'm not advocating an all-smurf line.
I've had my say. I'll give you the last word on the topic, if you want it.
Randall Graves* 11-01-2005, 05:22 PM I think he's playing with Teemu Selanne.
that rebound goal andy scored the other night wasn't just Selanne...that was not an easy shot at all.
Andy is hot right now, if anything he has shown he is a streaky player...lets ride it out.
HockeySport 11-01-2005, 05:51 PM More for the debate...
http://www.theahl.com/AHL/News/RookieOfTheMonth/2005/11/01/1288173.html[/URL]
True, but Selanne's another beneficiary of the new rules.
Look, smaller players will always be at a disadvantage. I'm merely suggesting that that disadvantage has been minimized by the new rules.
Every skill player in the league benfits regardless of size (Selanne is not small). Given that, small players don't gain any ground on bigger players... bigger is still better. At least that's how I see it and only time will tell which way it really goes.
By automatically dismissing smaller players, you would've eliminated players like Theo Fleury.
If Shannon has the talent...
I haven't dismissed anyone, especially Shannon who I've never even seen play.
All I did was ask what is it about Shannon that should make me think he can make it when so many other small guys fail. I still haven't seen anyone address that question. Just tangents about new rules and other small players and the like.
Does he have incredible speed?
Is his vision of the ice off the charts?
An incredible shot?
Great anticipation and positioning?
I don't know anything about the kid and that's why I asked the question. What differentiates him from the Bob Wren's of the world?
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