Pens fans are pretty tame. For the most part, they can act civil unless you rile them up. Also, much like Caps fans, they didn't really exist in the mass numbers they do now until 2007. Toronto fans and Montreal fans act like it's their birth right to have the Cup every year, and if you think the Flyers fanbase can be fickle game-to-game, check out a Leafs blog after they win, and the same blog after they lose.

Canucks fans are just callous, belligerent people who want nothing more than to cause long-term injuries to the opposition and then whine when a clean check is applied to one of their players, all while complaining about diving as Kesler somersaults across the ice...but somehow, Toronto fans are just worse.
- jmatchett383

I don't think anyone I know IRL or here has ever wished an opposing player was injured as I read on that Kings blog. Wow.

That was the only clip I saw. I turned on NHL Network as I was heading to bed, and they had live cut-in, and I saw this. It was pretty ridiculous.
- jmatchett383

sheesh whole lotta stupid. I bet Fonzie was thrilled

Tomahawk has been saying this for a while
Not my idea but I agree with trying it
- Marc D

It's how he was used on MTL... and MA Bergeron was used in Tampa... when you've got a guy that is a liability in his own zone, you try to keep him out of it as much as possible.

Added bonus is that he actually has pro experience playing forward.... he could be our Burns/Byfuglien

It's how he was used on MTL... and MA Bergeron was used in Tampa... when you've got a guy that is a liability in his own zone, you try to keep him out of it as much as possible.

Added bonus is that he actually has pro experience playing forward.... he could be our Burns/Byfuglien
- Tomahawk

I don't know if he could keep up as a forward. (I'm assuming we're talking about Streit). He's not a board worker/cycler like Hartnell, he'd be more of a line rush type player on the wing. He'd be more of a guy good at carrying the puck, and his foot speed might not allow that. But it's a thought.

sheesh whole lotta stupid. I bet Fonzie was thrilled
- nastyflyergirl

Yes, but I think the Fonz might need a stern talking to from Mr. C about life and love.

I don't know if he could keep up as a forward. (I'm assuming we're talking about Streit). He's not a board worker/cycler like Hartnell, he'd be more of a line rush type player on the wing. He'd be more of a guy good at carrying the puck, and his foot speed might not allow that. But it's a thought.
- jmatchett383

From those times where he sneaks in back door, or joins the attack down low, he certainly looks capable of playing a Raffl-ish role... he'd be a nice weak-side scoring threat, too... and for a dman, he's got a snazzy backhand.

But the main purpose would be to lessen his defensive responsibilities while maximizing his utility in offensive situations. And with Rinaldo and VV being out, and Gus/Gill eating popcorn, the time to try it would be now.

From those times where he sneaks in back door, or joins the attack down low, he certainly looks capable of playing a Raffl-ish role... he'd be a nice weak-side scoring threat, too... and for a dman, he's got a snazzy backhand.

But the main purpose would be to lessen his defensive responsibilities while maximizing his utility in offensive situations. And with Rinaldo and VV being out, and Gus/Gill eating popcorn, the time to try it would be now.
- Tomahawk

It's one thing to sneak in down low on a rush and another to continuously play an attacking role. If he sneaks down low, he usually (should be) coming in backdoor looking for a cross-ice pass. The benefit there is that the defense may not be accounting for 4 attackers. It's also a lot more N-S skating than he's probably accustomed to. I just don't think having him convert to a full-time forward would work.

But yes, lessening his defensive responsibilities would be nice. I personally think that we should do that with Meszaros, however. Meszaros had some nice offensive rushes, but still looks bad in his own zone. Like, REALLY BAD. He's got a better wrister than Streit, he's faster, and he can work the puck on the boards better. He can also use the body to get in on the forecheck. That would be my solution, but that's just me/

It's one thing to sneak in down low on a rush and another to continuously play an attacking role. If he sneaks down low, he usually (should be) coming in backdoor looking for a cross-ice pass. The benefit there is that the defense may not be accounting for 4 attackers. It's also a lot more N-S skating than he's probably accustomed to. I just don't think having him convert to a full-time forward would work.

But yes, lessening his defensive responsibilities would be nice. I personally think that we should do that with Meszaros, however. Meszaros had some nice offensive rushes, but still looks bad in his own zone. Like, REALLY BAD. He's got a better wrister than Streit, he's faster, and he can work the puck on the boards better. He can also use the body to get in on the forecheck. That would be my solution, but that's just me/
- jmatchett383

The difference is, Mez (to my knowledge) has never played as a forward before, while Streit played forward in Switzerland and with the Habs.

Thanks Bill! I'll be there tonight!
- Trainfellow

Are we doomed

The difference is, Mez (to my knowledge) has never played as a forward before, while Streit played forward in Switzerland and with the Habs.
- Tomahawk

I don't know if he has or not. But Mez has been pretty confident joining the rush lately, and I wouldn't trust him to be able to stop the current day Gino Odjick 1-on-1 right now. I just think he'd be a better fit, despite prior experience as a forward.

It's how he was used on MTL... and MA Bergeron was used in Tampa... when you've got a guy that is a liability in his own zone, you try to keep him out of it as much as possible.

Added bonus is that he actually has pro experience playing forward.... he could be our Burns/Byfuglien
- Tomahawk

Edmonton used Ruotsolainen the same way and the Flyers did it with Greg Hawgood during the short time he was here. I like the idea, with Read back in the lineup, there is no need for VDV on the PK so why not dress 7 D and use Streit on the PP, occasional offensive zone shifts and on a regular shift if trailing in the 3rd.

I don't know if he could keep up as a forward. (I'm assuming we're talking about Streit). He's not a board worker/cycler like Hartnell, he'd be more of a line rush type player on the wing. He'd be more of a guy good at carrying the puck, and his foot speed might not allow that. But it's a thought.
- jmatchett383

Could he really give them much less than Rosehill on a 4th line playing 5 or 6 minutes per game?

Could he really give them much less than Rosehill on a 4th line playing 5 or 6 minutes per game?
- BiggE

No...and I don't think Rosehill should be on the roster at this point either. Also, I doubt Streit would only be getting 5-6 minutes a night. You'd expect him to play a regular shift (every 6-7 shifts minimum) plus PP time. Probably more like 13-15 minutes as a forward/PP specialist.

Could he really give them much less than Rosehill on a 4th line playing 5 or 6 minutes per game?
- BiggE

As his prized offseason acquisition, Homer's got a vested interest in keeping Streit in the top-four rotation... that's the main obstacle to Berube making this kind of adjustment... even it makes a lot of sense given the present circumstances.

I don't know if he has or not...
- jmatchett383

This is good for a laugh, lol:
http://bleacherreport.com...aluable-player-in-the-nhl

As his prized offseason acquisition, Homer's got a vested interest in keeping Streit in the top-four rotation... that's the main obstacle to Berube making this kind of adjustment... even it makes a lot of sense given the present circumstances.
- Tomahawk

If Homer is pressuring Berube in to lineup decisions every night, then we have bigger problems.

As his prized offseason acquisition, Homer's got a vested interest in keeping Streit in the top-four rotation... that's the main obstacle to Berube making this kind of adjustment... even it makes a lot of sense given the present circumstances.
- Tomahawk

Agreed. He's making, what, $4.75M? Hard for Berube to justify minimizing his role unless he does an in-game trial which yields instant results. If it blows up in his face, it's on him as far as management is concerned.

No...and I don't think Rosehill should be on the roster at this point either. Also, I doubt Streit would only be getting 5-6 minutes a night. You'd expect him to play a regular shift (every 6-7 shifts minimum) plus PP time. Probably more like 13-15 minutes as a forward/PP specialist.
- jmatchett383

I meant 5-6 minutes as a forward, I wasn't including any time on the pp or as a defenseman.

If Homer is pressuring Berube in to lineup decisions every night, then we have bigger problems.

- MBFlyerfan

It's one thing to say he's tampering with the lineup and another for him to question why their big off-season acquisition is only skating a few shifts per night.

I meant 5-6 minutes as a forward, I wasn't including any time on the pp or as a defenseman.
- BiggE

I still think he'd get more like 8-10 ES minutes. He'd get more Hall/Rinaldo time that Rosehill.

If Homer is pressuring Berube in to lineup decisions every night, then we have bigger problems.

- MBFlyerfan

No coach is autonomous from the GM's input and interference... unless you're Keenan or Sutter and wear both hats, lol.

Hopefully with Read coming back tonight, they'll put together the Downie-Couturier-Read line again and put Lecavalier on the top line with G and Jake, and slide Raffl down to the 4th line. Geeze they need a solid 4th line center so desperately!

I meant 5-6 minutes as a forward, I wasn't including any time on the pp or as a defenseman.
- BiggE

This is Streit out as a forward with Kovalev and Lapierre:

That is a hell of a goal.

As his prized offseason acquisition, Homer's got a vested interest in keeping Streit in the top-four rotation... that's the main obstacle to Berube making this kind of adjustment... even it makes a lot of sense given the present circumstances.
- Tomahawk

I don't know if Berube has the imagination or confidence to make a move like that.

Hopefully with Read coming back tonight, they'll put together the Downie-Couturier-Read line again and put Lecavalier on the top line with G and Jake, and slide Raffl down to the 4th line. Geeze they need a solid 4th line center so desperately!
- TonyBazz

What's wrong with Hall as a 4C? Winning almost 60% of his faceoffs, is adequate defensively (despite his +/-) and is an adequate secondary PKer.