we have a 23 year old who is failing as a defenceman and is now in his fourth organization vs a 19 year old who seems to be doing better all the time on defence....
And you want the 19 year old converted to forward.
I wouldn't flip either of them right now... I'd try and see if we can develop them as d-men before making the switch.
People see their skating and immediately want these guys to be wingers.... NO... STOP THAT... its flawed thinking... Defencemen need to skate too.
PS Scott Niedermeyer and Paul Coffey just called, they wanted to say that just cause you are a great skater doesn't mean you shouldn't be a defenceman; and your skating ability can help you an awful lot back there.
No, I think you read a bit too much into what I said. I was just replying to another post saying that Belle should be moved to the fourth line. I don't want to move either of them, I don't like those switches anyway when a guy has played his whole career in one position. And I believe Subban, of all our defenseman, would be the one to give us the most as a forward. But again, I'm certainly not implying that we should switch anyone!!
Locke is now reunited with OHL line mate Matt Foy...they paired up for a lethal tandem in the OHL...
Just wanted to point that out...
Good trade for us though...as someone mentioned earlier he was rumoured to sign with Davos...in Europe...and he was UFA...
Quote:
Interesting. 2003 4th rounder (Locke) for 2003 1st rounder (Belle). If it works for the Habs it could soften the 2nd round mistake (Urquhart).
Was also a very good point...
Hopefully Gainey can get Belle returns on players like other players who risk being permanently cast as career AHL'ers
Edit: WOW milbs06 you posted at the same time as me...and Foy is no longer a Wild player? I just finishing checking? I guess this is a new development!
Edit 2: Er yeah..."He was signed as a free agent by the St. Louis Blues on July 9, 2008." my bad...thanks Wiki.
Last edited by giovannicanella: 07-11-2008 at 07:47 PM.
Reason: New Info
+4 in 9 games! Seems like a solid young defenseman that we will be able to adjust to our system. He's young and have the size, he could be something very interesting for Hamilton, and even for the training camp. He does have a little NHL experience.
I think it's Bob Gainey's attempt to trade one red paperclip for something else, and trade up, and up, up to the point where he gets a house like this guy did:
So we started with a fourth round pick and picked Locke... now we got a first round pick in Belle.
Eventually, some team will need a big, fast defenseman, and we will end-up with a promising forward...
Eventually we should get Gaborik or Nash or something
Right now, it looks like space for other centers in Hamilton, and some respect at the blueline in Hamilton and a back-up solution if a defenseman gets hurt in Montreal.
(this way we don't trade a Ribeiro for a Niinimaa when too many defensemen are hurt)
Seems to have a perfect body to be an effective physical Dman, if he is as good of a skater and be as fast as everybody says he is then I'm not quite sure why he hasn't panned out yet. It might be something between the ears and if that's the case Montreal's night life isn't gonna help much either...
So who are the candidates for the centermen position in Hamilton?
Maxwell,White, Trotter, Desharnais, Aubin (back at the center position?), Russell, Latendresse???
A little small, young and not that experienced...Shouldn't we try to get some experience centerman to play with our prospects? Like Mark Hartigan, Steve Kelly, Justin Mapletoft, Yanick Lehoux or Jeff Taffe. Some vet presence that could provide some scoring to that young core of forwards. I understand that on D they'll be pretty tough and experienced but up front???
+4 in 9 games! Seems like a solid young defenseman that we will be able to adjust to our system. He's young and have the size, he could be something very interesting for Hamilton, and even for the training camp. He does have a little NHL experience.
I think he will challenge PK as the fastest Dman in the org now. He had Coffey like skating ability in junior. He has added about 25 lbs since so that may affect him a bit but he has wheels and with his size could be a real nice fit in Montreal's up tempo skating style compared to the defensive Minny system. I could see him fitting in as the #7 Dman instead of Brizeby and Dandy. That way Valentenko can develop more in Hamilton
Seems to have a perfect body to be an effective physical Dman, if he is as good of a skater and be as fast as everybody says he is then I'm not quite sure why he hasn't panned out yet. It might be something between the ears and if that's the case Montreal's night life isn't gonna help much either...
I don't think that you can equate lack of hockey sense with a fondness for the mighlife.
No, I think you read a bit too much into what I said. I was just replying to another post saying that Belle should be moved to the fourth line. I don't want to move either of them, I don't like those switches anyway when a guy has played his whole career in one position. And I believe Subban, of all our defenseman, would be the one to give us the most as a forward. But again, I'm certainly not implying that we should switch anyone!!
I was referring to something thats been a general sentement with Subban for awhile not just necessarily from you...
Locke is now reunited with OHL line mate Matt Foy...they paired up for a lethal tandem in the OHL...
Just wanted to point that out...
Good trade for us though...as someone mentioned earlier he was rumoured to sign with Davos...in Europe...and he was UFA...
Was also a very good point...
Hopefully Gainey can get Belle returns on players like other players who risk being permanently cast as career AHL'ers
Edit: WOW milbs06 you posted at the same time as me...and Foy is no longer a Wild player? I just finishing checking? I guess this is a new development!
Edit 2: Er yeah..."He was signed as a free agent by the St. Louis Blues on July 9, 2008." my bad...thanks Wiki.
I hope you meant RFA and only did a typing error... because you can't actually trade a UFA, it's impossible unless the player is bound to be a UFA and his rights get traded before July 1st and we're way past that point now.
Belle has played only 9 NHL games? I was not expecting that stat! He obviously has all the physical tools. Hopefully the coaching staff can help him put it all together. At 23 he is still young enough. Habs D prospects keep getting deeper....
McDonaugh
Valentenko
Carle
Subban
Weber
Fischer
Belle
Corey Locke might be able to crack the Wild's line-up, something he would have never been able to do in Montreal. He still has the potential to play in the NHL. During the Calder cup run, he was hands down Hamilton's most valuable skater. Everywhere he's been, after a slow start, he always managed to find a way to stay productive despite his size and average skating.
Shawn Belle was going nowhere in Minneasota and definitely needed a change of scene. With a new team, he may pan out and finally find his game. Although I did not see him play a single time since he turned pro, I still remember him in his junior days. He has all the tools necessary to become an NHL player. Do not expect him to become a #3-4 defenceman as he once was projected to be. I would not be surprised to see him become a decent #5-6 down the road though..
That's a lot of defencemen, but remember.. Not all of them are going to make it. Most are hit or bust types; I also don't portray them in #6-7 defencemen roles. That's why Gainey traded for Belle, he had nothing to lose since Locke was never going to make the team anyways.
Belle has played only 9 NHL games? I was not expecting that stat! He obviously has all the physical tools. Hopefully the coaching staff can help him put it all together. At 23 he is still young enough. Habs D prospects keep getting deeper....
McDonaugh
Valentenko
Carle
Subban
Weber
Fischer
Belle
Anyone else?
who were the dmen of the Wilds ? maybe it wasn't just about him , but the fact that they have a good depth at that position . I don't know that much that team .
A couple things to consider about this deal. Locke - like any productive AHLer - wants an opportunity in the NHL. Wasn't going to happen in Montreal.
Shawn Belle is a first round flop. Montreal is now his fourth organization. On a Bulldogs perspective. This is not a good trade. But, Locke wanted out.
A couple things to consider about this deal. Locke - like any productive AHLer - wants an opportunity in the NHL. Wasn't going to happen in Montreal.
Shawn Belle is a first round flop. Montreal is now his fourth organization. On a Bulldogs perspective. This is not a good trade. But, Locke wanted out.
Its a gamble deal.... basically we knew what we had in Locke... a guy who'd never play in Montreal full-time.
In Belle we take a gamble that we can get him to an NHL level, based on his potential that he once was a first rounder in 2003. Lets remember 1 year ago we were calling our first round choice from 03 (AKost) a bust. Now he's getting 3.25 million on his new deal.
I'm not saying Belle is a sure thing, but he's got some potential if he puts it all together, and thats more than we can say about Locke in Montreal. Maybe the change of scenery will get Locke playing time, but it wasn't happening here.
A couple things to consider about this deal. Locke - like any productive AHLer - wants an opportunity in the NHL. Wasn't going to happen in Montreal.
Shawn Belle is a first round flop. Montreal is now his fourth organization. On a Bulldogs perspective. This is not a good trade. But, Locke wanted out.
considering that we were going to loose Locke anyway , i don't see how it could be a bad move for the Dogs . At least , they have a big and fast dman .
