I think I feel a bit faint. Someone who can score on breakaways and 2-on-1s? AND in the shootout? Wow... it's like when that rare animal that comes to the zoo. All I can do is stare in amazement.
Dude, we just traded away a player who could do all of that. Whoever said the scouting report between Huselius and Zherdev was similar was right.
Well, actually, you'd have to take out the "2-on-1" part, as it's been a long time since the Jackets had one of those!
Dude, we just traded away a player who could do all of that. Whoever said the scouting report between Huselius and Zherdev was similar was right.
Well, actually, you'd have to take out the "2-on-1" part, as it's been a long time since the Jackets had one of those!
True, you've got me there. Huselius and Z do have a similar style of play. As you said, though, it's not often we got to see those types of things develop and more often than not when it did it somehow seemed to involve, say, Peca on a breakaway or Manny and Hedja on a 2-on-1. I don't think I have to mention how well that would turn out. Didn't Shelley somehow have an aborted breakaway as well? It just got extremely tiresome to watch over and over again and it was just nice seeing someone convert those chances.
Of course, on the flip side, you've got Nash and "The Goal" so I guess I can't complain too awful much, can I?
I still can't help but think resigning Z enters into this
equation. NYR may not have trouble resigning Zherdev next year, but in all honesty we would have. Z was headed to the bright lights anyways.. as it were we got a decent return for him.
Mister Howson, I owe you a few apologies, I said a few bad things about you, and your mom.. and your heritage.. and I really didn't want you to drop dead. Infact, let me just say I'm really sorry.
You sure Hitch won't require him to dump it in after he steals the puck?
Hell, he'd probably bench him for pulling such a nice move
Anyway, I have to say now that the dust has [somewhat] settled, I'm pleased with the overall Swedification of our lineup! Modin, Huselius, Bäckman... pull a deal for Sundin and I might just take back everything less than lukewarm I've said thus far
It's been quite the day and I had obligations of the real life version so I missed the Blue Jacket roster turnover today.... suffice to say the Jackets will be the newest squad ever assembled since October 7, 2000.
Our defense is now a pre lockout Hitch defense with Commodore, Tyutin, Hejda and Klesla.... We are going to be very difficult to score on folks.
We won't be labeled soft anymore, we may struggle getting the puck up ice but lets wait and see before assessing. Klesla does have an lingering upside potential for moving the puck if given the chance..he will be on the PP more to.
As for the offense, we lost Z but gained Huselius, at least one of them can speak English. We lose some skill in that switch but lets wait and see the results when Huselius is playmaking for Nash...RJ will have to be the center but probably play like a winger. Strange line that may work. Vorecek is almost guarenteed to make the team, we need some offense from somewhere.
Looks like Brassard will be our second line center-or Malhotra.
We are around 2 million from our cap of 50 million-95% of the shakeup is done.
In summary, I have no clue how this motley crew of guys will do or interact together. They could tank or they could surprise, who knows.
__________________
"When I die I will be buried upside down so all of my critics can kiss my ass"~ Bobby Knight
I think I feel a bit faint. Someone who can score on breakaways and 2-on-1s? AND in the shootout? Wow... it's like when that rare animal that comes to the zoo. All I can do is stare in amazement.
Those teams were good on paper. In reality, we added a good player and an overrated player to a mess of a line-up. This is the first time this team has an identity and a purpose. Not just a cast assembled in someone's head.
I think the fact that such bold moves have been made to dramatically change the core of our roster prove that this is rebuilding based on an actual plan, not just adding to a group of average players.
Robert, I think you're underestimating Tyutin and even Backman.
We didn't get offensive d-men, but we got transition d-men that can skate and pass the puck.
I understand, I was thinking more in terms of the new phrase "puck moving defenseman" such as a Redden. With the new focus on defenseman since the lockout it's becoming increasinly difficult to describe what each one is labeled. Stay at home, defensive defensmen, offensve defenseman, defensive but can pass, defensive but can skate, offensive but two way, transition d-men, point man, PP QB, puck moving, etc. I simply chose getting the puck up ice....since half of our new top four are still the same guys who I rarely heard mentioned as a puck moving defenseman. I wasn't speaking specifically of Tyutin or his abilty to skate or pass.
Those teams were good on paper. In reality, we added a good player and an overrated player to a mess of a line-up. This is the first time this team has an identity and a purpose. Not just a cast assembled in someone's head.
I think the fact that such bold moves have been made to dramatically change the core of our roster prove that this is rebuilding based on an actual plan, not just adding to a group of average players.
I was just thinking about that. It's like in the past whenever we got some new players, it was just kind of dropped in amongst the same weak ass core of 10 or so chumps... like putting a bandaid on a heart attack. Ever since the middle of last year though, it seems like Howson is sort of whittling away at the guys who were just handed roster spots. Brule, Fritsche, Shelley etc... good guys to have.............. on a winning team I think this might finally change the culture around here. If Klesla gets traded too, it might really help as well. Doug's old "untouchable first rounders" are finally being weeded out. I still don't like getting rid of Zherdev, but now that we have Huselius the sting is lessened, and maybe these two new D-men will free up Klesla for a trade
I've been travelling to Oakland for a gathering of fellow Internet Weirdos, and so did not get this news at the time.
Nonetheless, there were a lot of very confused people in Las Vegas during an hour layover wondering what that strange-looking kid with the laptop was cheering over.
I am back to being happyviqsi. Yay!
__________________
Remember - when you're a hockey fan, it's not "reckless driving", it's "good forechecking".
Those teams were good on paper. In reality, we added a good player and an overrated player to a mess of a line-up. This is the first time this team has an identity and a purpose. Not just a cast assembled in someone's head.
I think the fact that such bold moves have been made to dramatically change the core of our roster prove that this is rebuilding based on an actual plan, not just adding to a group of average players.
Do you think this team will be successful scoring less than 2 goals per game?
Mister Howson, I owe you a few apologies, I said a few bad things about you, and your mom.. and your heritage.. and I really didn't want you to drop dead. Infact, let me just say I'm really sorry.
upside to this is maybe hitch feels more comfortable with his new d corps. so maybe he loosens the reigns and allows more imaginative plays to be made. that would be so un hitch.