Actually Phaneuf will lower his possession numbers.
- LeafMan

yes, but I guess they are hoping the balance they strike is still on the positive side. I did notice that down low Phaneuf was deferring to Hunwick to control and initiate the break out plays, which is good, as Phaneuf is a worse passer than he is a shooter when pressured. when on the PP with a little more time and space his is an okay passer, but as soon as he as to think quick, it all goes out the window.

I thought this was interesting from the pre-season :



wonder if we ever see Hunwick and Marincin as a pairing at some point this season? as it stands now, it appears Hunwick is being paired with Phaneuf to try and lift Phaneuf's possession numbers.
- vermie22

playing against actual NHL competition for more than 15 minutes will completely nullify all of that. pretty meaningless numbers imo.

yes, but I guess they are hoping the balance they strike is still on the positive side. I did notice that down low Phaneuf was deferring to Hunwick to control and initiate the break out plays, which is good, as Phaneuf is a worse passer than he is a shooter when pressured. when on the PP with a little more time and space his is an okay passer, but as soon as he as to think quick, it all goes out the window.
- vermie22

Phaneuf should never be relied on heavily in the defensive zone. For the last few years he was, because of his inept partners.

If Babcock understands that another d-man is required to help out in the dzone, rather than slowly skating back from the offensive zone, only reaching the circle after a goal has been scored *cough*Franson*cough*, maybe Phaneuf will have a better season... and see an upturn in his offense, too.

It's an aberation of a season, with lots of players having uncharacteristic performances.

Turris, specifically, played in Europe for the first half, so he was already in mid-season form when the season started.
- Feeling Glucky?

oh ffs fine

you are right gluck.. you must win every fantasy pool you step into

i do know this about you

if turris wore a leafs jersey all your arguments would be pro turris

homerism.. sorry.. nu its true

playing against actual NHL competition for more than 15 minutes will completely nullify all of that. pretty meaningless numbers imo.
- daeth

yea... it'd actually be a bit more meaningfull if you got rid of the early games and focused on the last few... even if the sample size will be tiny.

I agree. Very very interesting. I need you to explain one part in more detail. That part is the whole thing because I don't understand.
- markmark

wish I could, but heading out for the day. hoping the Leafs pull one off tonight, have a coffee riding on it with my Habs fan colleague. Used to bet lunches, but after buying him 4 lunches last year (and he picked the most expensive places in town each time) , I am only willing to do coffees this year.

oh ffs fine

you are right gluck.. you must win every fantasy pool you step into

i do know this about you

if turris wore a leafs jersey all your arguments would be pro turris

homerism.. sorry.. nu its true
- Dozzer

I'm not even arguing in favour of Bozak

I'm saying the things that make Bozak suck are the same that make Turris suck.

didn't the NHL approve of Richard's contract being terminated?

How can they approve something and then punish the team for it?
- Feeling Glucky?

They'd have to if the arbitrator decided that he couldn't be terminated. Hmmm

yes, but I guess they are hoping the balance they strike is still on the positive side. I did notice that down low Phaneuf was deferring to Hunwick to control and initiate the break out plays, which is good, as Phaneuf is a worse passer than he is a shooter when pressured. when on the PP with a little more time and space his is an okay passer, but as soon as he as to think quick, it all goes out the window.
- vermie22

Brings up a good question, how much PP time will he get, Babcock went with Rielly and Gardiner for the vast majority of the time, interesting to see if that continues.

oh ffs fine

you are right gluck.. you must win every fantasy pool you step into

i do know this about you

if turris wore a leafs jersey all your arguments would be pro turris

homerism.. sorry.. nu its true
- Dozzer

yea... it'd actually be a bit more meaningfull if you got rid of the early games and focused on the last few... even if the sample size will be tiny.
- Feeling Glucky?

though with that said even in preseason games i'd rather they put up 50-68% CF numbers than be below 50%

Brings up a good question, how much PP time will he get, Babcock went with Rielly and Gardiner for the vast majority of the time, interesting to see if that continues.
- LeafMan

Would make sense to even out the TOI a bit

though with that said even in preseason games i'd rather they put up 50-68% CF numbers than be below 50%
- daeth

Robidas...

Appears only twice on the list... both at the bottom

Robidas...

Appears only twice on the list... both at the bottom
- Feeling Glucky?

He couldn't keep up, It might be safe to say once healthy he is on waivers. He's done.

Robidas...

Appears only twice on the list... both at the bottom
- Feeling Glucky?

That might not be a good sign lol

Why the hell is Grabner a healthy scratch for tonight's game?

Actually Phaneuf will end up lowering Hunwick's possession numbers.
- LeafMan

Another weird thing from that chart... The only guy who's numbers dont drop with Rielly is Polak.

Bobby Mac hints at it but the main settlement is between the PA/MR and the Kings. That's just $$ so it's the easier part. Getting 29 GM's to agree to 'forgive' the Kings and give them more cap flexibility is going to be the bigger hurdle.

Given what I know/have read it looked to me like the PA had to feel good about this case so I'm not sure why the other GM's would give the Kings an inch of room on this one.
- The Law

I would guess not ... but maybe they all see a way they can game the system themselves in the future?

One way or another, this will be covered in the next CBA.

Why the hell is Grabner a healthy scratch for tonight's game?
- ThePresident

Thank you for answering yesterday's "What will ThePresident be upset about if Panik clears?" question with "why is one of the team's most ineffective preseason players not playing?"

Why the hell is Grabner a healthy scratch for tonight's game?
- ThePresident

For playing like shtt in preseason

Thank you for answering yesterday's "What will ThePresident be upset about if Panik clears?" question with "why is one of the team's most ineffective preseason players not playing?"
- Feeling Glucky?

He should be on the top line with JVR and Kadri tonight, plays better defense than Boyes...that's for sure, and those two players need a player like that.

Another weird thing from that chart... The only guy who's numbers dont drop with Rielly is Polak.


- Feeling Glucky?

Even I will say Polak had a terrible pre season, he is still recovering from that hernia surgery so I will cut him some slack. He wasn't skating full out.

Brings up a good question, how much PP time will he get, Babcock went with Rielly and Gardiner for the vast majority of the time, interesting to see if that continues.
- LeafMan

Maybe Babcock wants to limit some of Phaneuf's minutes and taking him off PP unit 1 does that.

He should be on the top line with JVR and Kadri tonight, plays better defense than Boyes...that's for sure, and those two players need a player like that.
- ThePresident

U want him on the top line and Babcock wanted him off the team/ in the AHL..


Interesting

I thought this was interesting from the pre-season :



wonder if we ever see Hunwick and Marincin as a pairing at some point this season? as it stands now, it appears Hunwick is being paired with Phaneuf to try and lift Phaneuf's possession numbers.
- vermie22

Even on a 'relative' note ....Robidas and Polak stink.