I was trying to comment on this as well yesterday when someone brought up the "big" bodied guys on other teams who have won the cup and a lot of them are just guys who play like a big guy. I think Holmstrom was one of the names mentioned and he was barely 6 foot 200lbs.

It is a mentality and a willingness, something Tocchet can really help with. You have guys in the minors who play this style as well. Payerl is a big guy who plays big. Uher is not a huge guy, but plays stout tough hockey. Goc is underrated in his physicallity and tough play. Comeau can be a tough guy in a bottom six role. We all know Downie.

Should be a fun year, definitely some growing pains along the way, but there is some good promise.
- usethe1-2-2

Someone being optimistic? Don't you know that type of talk isn't wanted in these parts!?!?

Interesting stuff. I think it would also be potentially instructive to be able to look at giveaways on the offensive side of center ice both on a % basis such as this, and also when compared to the relative offensive output of that player. IE, for a player like Letang, he has a reputation as a guy who gives the puck away, but who also can help drive offense....so you hear "you have to take the good with the bad" a lot....but is that quantifiable vs a guy like say Martin, who plays a simpler, less risky game but who also gets his share of points...perhaps points per offensive zone turnover?

I was trying to comment on this as well yesterday when someone brought up the "big" bodied guys on other teams who have won the cup and a lot of them are just guys who play like a big guy. I think Holmstrom was one of the names mentioned and he was barely 6 foot 200lbs.

It is a mentality and a willingness, something Tocchet can really help with. You have guys in the minors who play this style as well. Payerl is a big guy who plays big. Uher is not a huge guy, but plays stout tough hockey. Goc is underrated in his physicallity and tough play. Comeau can be a tough guy in a bottom six role. We all know Downie.

Should be a fun year, definitely some growing pains along the way, but there is some good promise.
- usethe1-2-2

Well, not only do we lack the actual size but the "mentality and willingness" as of now. Hopefully that changes with the new coaching staff and some new roster blood.

I don't understand what folks don't see with the recent Cup winners going back to the Canes post lockout. Almost all of them (and no I'm not interested in the 1 or 2 exceptions) were big teams that ALSO played big.

I was trying to comment on this as well yesterday when someone brought up the "big" bodied guys on other teams who have won the cup and a lot of them are just guys who play like a big guy. I think Holmstrom was one of the names mentioned and he was barely 6 foot 200lbs.

It is a mentality and a willingness, something Tocchet can really help with. You have guys in the minors who play this style as well. Payerl is a big guy who plays big. Uher is not a huge guy, but plays stout tough hockey. Goc is underrated in his physicallity and tough play. Comeau can be a tough guy in a bottom six role. We all know Downie.

Should be a fun year, definitely some growing pains along the way, but there is some good promise.
- usethe1-2-2

Totally agree. Look at last year, we had plenty of guys that were large in size but we were still a soft team overall. I think we will be much more physical this coming season...but physical in a more meaningful way...not in a tanner glass way...if that makes sense

Someone being optimistic? Don't you know that type of talk isn't wanted in these parts!?!?
- kgrpitt

My bad,still getting used to the site I guess

My bad,still getting used to the site I guess
- usethe1-2-2

please do not affront our culture again

Well, not only do we lack the actual size but the "mentality and willingness" as of now. Hopefully that changes with the new coaching staff and some new roster blood.

I don't understand what folks don't see with the recent Cup winners going back to the Canes post lockout. Almost all of them (and no I'm not interested in the 1 or 2 exceptions) were big teams that ALSO played big.
- 87_71_11_29

The 2010 Hawks were not that big though. Only Buff and Brouwer up front were the big guys to look out for. Pens, Wings, and Canes were not big either.
2013 Hawks didn't have that much size either, only Bickell.

I actually think the exceptions are the muscle teams like the Ducks of 07 and the Bruins in 2011.

The other teams are strong puck possession teams with guys who just play tough solid hockey.

please do not affront our culture again
- BulliesPhan87

Promise

It makes no sense to keep Depres off the ice this year from the GM or coaches point of view. He is either going to increase his value (to us or somebody else) or play to the value of contract he signed.

Most people assume the former...in which case he then becomes more marketable should the Penguins choose to deal him or they keep him - which softens the blow on D if they move someone like Martin for a forward.

BTW...bored again last night
http://nambut.sportsblog....airs_beat_three_of_a.html
- icedog97

It makes sense to play the players that are going to help this team win another cup. That doesn't always mean the players with the highest "ceiling". When this lineup is healthy You have Letang, Martin, Matta, Ehrhoff,Scuderi(you know he will be playing)Bortuzzo. Without saying Scuderi because we all know he will be in the lineup which of those guys does Despres play over? You already have 4 puck movers, and I'm not so sure Despres is better with the puck than Bortuzzo anyway. Then you have the laundry list of of guys in the AHL who prob have a better work ethic, and some with more skill. The guys a bum.

It makes sense to play the players that are going to help this team win another cup. That doesn't always mean the players with the highest "ceiling". When this lineup is healthy You have Letang, Martin, Matta, Ehrhoff,Scuderi(you know he will be playing)Bortuzzo. Without saying Scuderi because we all know he will be in the lineup which of those guys does Despres play over? You already have 4 puck movers, and I'm not so sure Despres is better with the puck than Bortuzzo anyway. Then you have the laundry list of of guys in the AHL who prob have a better work ethic, and some with more skill. The guys a bum.
- Grinder47

I still can't get over the dumpster fire Scuds was last season. It is actually tough to see those numbers. I wonder if the new regime will have any problems sitting him. It's not like they have any connection to him, they just want to win.

So some dude is re watching every game last season to come to the conclusion that Scuderi sucks, Letang is still better than what everyone here thinks, PM and Nisk were pretty good, Maata fell apart, and we still don't have a read on Despress?
- sammy87

LMAO, exactly what I was thinking. I could have saved this kid his entire summer, all you gotta do is ask people.

LMAO, exactly what I was thinking. I could have saved this kid his entire summer, all you gotta do is ask people.
- Sell My Monkey

Surely Ryan isn't endorsing this?

I mean go outside, find something better to do than watch old games in your parents basement.

Yes by all means hurl immature insults at somebody compiling very useful information that leads to findings like this

http://hockeyanalysis.com...ata-predicting-standings/

Yes by all means hurl immature insults at somebody compiling very useful information that leads to findings like this

http://hockeyanalysis.com...ata-predicting-standings/
- Ryan_Wilson

I am sorry Ryan but this is just a waste of time. I watched about 30 reg season games last yr and I came up with the same conclusion on the Pens D. It's not rocket science, anyone that knows the game knows the Orpik has been on the decline for several years, Scuds was never anything more than average and has been proven not to be any key member to Kings, we know nothing of Despres, and Nisk was slightly above average but by no means Lidstrom.

Im sure someone has advance stats on which Hooters girl gets the biggest tips that are compiled into a nice spreadsheet. But anyone with a clue can take a quick look at the staff to determine that pretty quickly.

Here's another one. PPL here defend Dupes on Sids line and say well his #'s dropped when Dupes wasn't there. No freakin joke they put Gibbons on his line who is garbage! I don't need a nerd to tell me that conclusion.

Surely Ryan isn't endorsing this?

I mean go outside, find something better to do than watch old games in your parents basement.
- sammy87

So finding statistical evidence that makes your opinion actually worth something is lesser than playing grabass outside with your buddies?

Surely Ryan isn't endorsing this?

I mean go outside, find something better to do than watch old games in your parents basement.
- sammy87

lmao

kind of like those insufferable bloggers. They sit in mom's basement all day pretending to be reports, with their goofy stats and their twitters. They do know none of them will ever be hired by an NHL team, right?

lmao

kind of like those insufferable bloggers. They sit in mom's basement all day pretending to be reports, with their goofy stats and their twitters. They do know none of them will ever be hired by an NHL team, right?
- BulliesPhan87

perfect

Yes by all means hurl immature insults at somebody compiling very useful information that leads to findings like this

http://hockeyanalysis.com...ata-predicting-standings/
- Ryan_Wilson

How about drinking beer and enjoying a hockey game?

So finding statistical evidence that makes your opinion actually worth something is lesser than playing grabass outside with your buddies?
- usethe1-2-2

Scuderi sucks, no body is arguing against that. I don't need to re watch the whole season to confirm that. The Kings proved he was expendable.

And no its not really worth anything. I have never had a hockey discussion over which Dman had better exit zone stats. Nor have I have ever heard any post game commentary saying Yeah Letang had a great game but when you look at his zone exit stats.....but if you want to donate to this dude's cause go right ahead.

Scuderi sucks, no body is arguing against that. I don't need to re watch the whole season to confirm that. The Kings proved he was expendable.

And no its not really worth anything. I have never had a hockey discussion over which Dman had better exit zone stats. Nor have I have ever heard any post game commentary saying Yeah Letang had a great game but when you look at his zone exit stats.....but if you want to donate to this dude's cause go right ahead.
- sammy87

Clearly

Clearly
- usethe1-2-2

Har Har, you got me there, Ok checking out....go donate to the dude in him mommy's basement.

Har Har, you got me there, Ok checking out....go donate to the dude in him mommy's basement.
- sammy87

Very original and witty.

Har Har, you got me there, Ok checking out....go donate to the dude in him mommy's basement.
- sammy87

Will do. Go have fun playing outside kiddo.

Will do. Go have fun playing outside kiddo.
- usethe1-2-2

Right cuz MTN biking, shooting guns, general exercise, skiing is much lamer than trying to create your own NHL job by proving how much of a dork you are by re watching an entire season.