Diaz IS kinda soft. But as a defensive "stick-checker" D ala Markov, he was actually pretty effective. Don't take my word for it, just check his stats on the link I sent : he was actually a bit better than Emelin in his own zone, and MUCH more than Bouillon or Murray.
- Popofjc

Respectfully, aint it a bit far fetch you you to compare Diaz (scared to check) to Markov?! And even better than Emelin who checks and checks and is a waaaaaay superior in the defensive zone.....do you understand why he was benched lately?

Still think Diaz has a lot more value than what we traded for. You need some, but not EVERY defenseman on one team need to be hulking big-hitter ...
- Popofjc

I totally disagree with you.

was this on the rumour chart?

How is trading our fourth-best defenseman for a fourth-line plug "a nice little deal" for the Habs? If the Canucks have effectively recognized Diaz's true value (which they probably have) and will use him appropriately, they absolutely raped Bergevin's rectum in that deal. Unbelievable.
- MrData

How is he your 4th best d-man if he hasn't played in 8 games?

I do think Vancouver got the better player but come on, Diaz was definitely not valued as your 4th best defenseman.

My thoughts exactly, and I'm a Flyers fan. 'Canes fans - is Hainsey anything more than a solid, stay-at-home D-man? I mean, don't the Flyers have enough slow-footed D-men?
- danham92

I wouldn't call him slow but he wouldn't win any races either. He's been solid paired with a rookie Brett Bellemore this year but he has contributed next to nothing offensively. He showed more offensive upside when he was playing in Winnipeg.

http://www.habseyesontheprize.com/2014/2/3/5374414/the-value-of-raphael-diaz-why-trading-him-was-a-mistake

Diaz IS kinda soft. But as a defensive "stick-checker" D ala Markov, he was actually pretty effective. Don't take my word for it, just check his stats on the link I sent : he was actually a bit better than Emelin in his own zone, and MUCH more than Bouillon or Murray.

Still think Diaz has a lot more value than what we traded for. You need some, but not EVERY defenseman on one team need to be hulking big-hitter ...
- Popofjc

Mah nigga. At least one person gets it.

yeah, I agree. These kind of players ... um, wait. Did you say Leafs?

- FlyerGuy

Dude that comment was hilarious.

But yeah the Leafs are not powerhouse contenders. Still though pretty awesome.

How is he your 4th best d-man if he hasn't played in 8 games?

I do think Vancouver got the better player but come on, Diaz was definitely not valued as your 4th best defenseman.
- Steven_Dean

Because Michel Therrien is incompetent and has no idea how to evaluate talent. He played Murray, who is objectively one of the worst defensemen in the league, over Diaz.

Respectfully, aint it a bit far fetch you you to compare Diaz (scared to check) to Markov?! And even better than Emelin who checks and checks and is a waaaaaay superior in the defensive zone.....do you understand why he was benched lately?



I totally disagree with you.
- Molariii

I'm saying they have the same kind of style in the defensive zone, not that they are identical. Markov is not at all physical too, but he's not that bad in the defensive zone. He was even better before his injury that slowed him a lot.

As for Diaz, you can disagree with my opinion, but you can't disagree with stats. And the stats say that Diaz las year and this year was better at preventing goals than Emelin, even though he doesn't check players as much. Ultimately preventing goal is what matter the most. And there are other way to prevent them than checking people.

I'm not saying I don't like Emelin. I like him. But you need to acknowledge when player are effective, even if they don't have your favorite play style.

Just check the link I sent if you don't believe me.

Respectfully, aint it a bit far fetch you you to compare Diaz (scared to check) to Markov?! And even better than Emelin who checks and checks and is a waaaaaay superior in the defensive zone.....do you understand why he was benched lately?



I totally disagree with you.
- Molariii

Perhaps you didn't read my earlier comment:

"Least goals against per 60 minutes of ice time among current Habs players, despite playing against top-6 players and starting way more shifts in the defensive zone than the offensive zone. "Soft" or not, he was effective in stopping the opposition from scoring, which is all that matters. "

Diaz was objectively superior to Emelin in the defensive zone. He was only outmatched by Subban, Markov, and Gorges.

Perhaps you didn't read my earlier comment:

"Least goals against per 60 minutes of ice time among current Habs players, despite playing against top-6 players and starting way more shifts in the defensive zone than the offensive zone. "Soft" or not, he was effective in stopping the opposition from scoring, which is all that matters. "

Diaz was objectively superior to Emelin in the defensive zone. He was only outmatched by Subban, Markov, and Gorges.
- MrData

And how many goals were scored because Diaz just let the player score without checking the player

Very underrated defensively. He's a good two-way player who can do well in pretty much any situation. 5v5, PP, PK, he can do it all. He doesn't stand out in any area but he's solid all around. His main weakness is that he can't shoot, but he makes up for it with his passing. Should be a great 3rd pairing D or a good replacement in case of an injury to the top-4.

I'm going to go drown my sorrows in liquor now.
- MrData

I don't know jack about either of these guys, but that won't stop me from joining you in a little sympathetic sorrows drowning myself.

And how many goals were scored because Diaz just let the player score without checking the player
- Molariii

Less than Emelin let in because he wasn't able to block a pass or steal the puck from a opponent.

Again, not my opinion, it's the stats from each players that says so. Emelin let more goal against when he was on the ice, playing against a bit weaker competition.

The way they prevent goal doesn't matter as much as HOW MANY goals they prevent.

Less than Emelin let in because he wasn't able to block a pass or steal the puck from a opponent.

Again, not my opinion, it's the stats from each players that says so. Emelin let more goal against when he was on the ice, playing against a bit weaker competition.

The way they prevent goal doesn't matter as much as HOW MANY goals they prevent.
- Popofjc

At least Emelin tried to check the player while doing it.

what a brutal trade...wasn't a big fan of Diaz, and wasn't gonna be much room for him with prospects coming up, but Weise? At least wait till the deadline - guys' values are always inflated then, and when other GM's get desperate, that's when id think you'd make a move
We have plenty of guys to fill out the bottom six...unless Weise finds some sort of miracle chemistry with someone, he's gonna be sitting as much, if not more, than Diaz has been
Vancouver wins....fackkkkkkkkkk - Bergevin is beginning to make me nervous

And how many goals were scored because Diaz just let the player score without checking the player
- Molariii

Irrelevant. When Diaz was on the ice, the Habs allowed less goals against than when anyone else was on the ice. Why does it matter how those goals were allowed?

Irrelevant. When Diaz was on the ice, the Habs allowed less goals against than when anyone else was on the ice. Why does it matter how those goals were allowed?
- MrData

If you have to ask why...

If you have to ask why...
- Molariii

Clearly, you have some hidden knowledge of hockey that I don't have. Please, enlighten me.

what a brutal trade...wasn't a big fan of Diaz, and wasn't gonna be much room for him with prospects coming up, but Weise? At least wait till the deadline - guys' values are always inflated then, and when other GM's get desperate, that's when id think you'd make a move
We have plenty of guys to fill out the bottom six...unless Weise finds some sort of miracle chemistry with someone, he's gonna be sitting as much, if not more, than Diaz has been
Vancouver wins....fackkkkkkkkkk - Bergevin is beginning to make me nervous
- HabzSquanch

Clearly a trade for the sake of making one...Makes GM look like he's doing something..

If you have to ask why...
- Molariii

Moneyball?

Clearly, you have some hidden knowledge of hockey that I don't have. Please, enlighten me.
- MrData

Respectfully...I was going to say the same thing about you.

You seem to constantly criticize Montreal for everything.

minor league players on mediocore teams, these guys wouldn't even play on the 4th line for contending powerhouse teams such as the pens, hawks, shark, leafs etc.
- sensnucksnocups

that's the funniest poop I've heard all week
thanks for that.

If you have to ask why...
- Molariii

So you would prefer a defense player letting 50 goals against in a season while making 50 big hit than a player letting in 25 goals against without making any big hit ?

Which one would you think would create more wins for his team ? The aim of the game is still to have more goals than your opponent I believe.

Moneyball?
- moondawg

or maybe ESP. ^^

minor league players on mediocore teams, these guys wouldn't even play on the 4th line for contending powerhouse teams such as the pens, hawks, shark, leafs etc.
- sensnucksnocups

Huh?! Since when are the Leafs a powerhouse? They may currently be in playoff contention, but even so, they don't belong in the same conversation as Pens, Hawks, Sharks...

I remember a former Habs Dman who was really good defensively without being overly physical, very effective stick checker and positionally sound. Of course I was able to see him play a lot being in Philly after the trade in 94-95- Eric Desjardins.
Not saying Diaz is the second coming of Rico, but even in this day and age results are not based on mere size and strength. I am going to follow Diaz to see if he blossoms elswhere. Not starting an argument just wondering out loud.