Doughty is as over rated as they come. Keith, Karlsson, Klingberg, Letang, Burns, Hedman.. you know why they don't have as many hits? Because their teams usually have the puck when they're on the ice. Don't have to hit when you control the puck.
- j.boyd919

OEL 154 hits
Letang 135 hits
Burns 101 hits
Karlsson 84 hits

62 hits is piss poor.

Have you guys seen Sweden's world cup roster? Their defense is absolutely stacked.
They have Mattias Ekholm, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Victor Hedman, Niklas Hjalmarsson, Erik Karlsson, Niklas Kronwall, and Anton Stralman,

OEL 154 hits
Letang 135 hits
Burns 101 hits
Karlsson 84 hits

62 hits is piss poor.
- Kucherovski

OEL 154 hits -- 2.05 hits per game
Letang 135 hits -- 1.9 hits per game
Burns 101 hits -- 1.23 hits per game
Karlsson 84 hits -- 1.02 hits per game

Hedman 62 hits -- .79 hits per game

Are you honestly going to tell me that the difference of 1.2 hits per game makes a difference in their play? Seriously, with a straight (frank)ing face, you're going to tell me that it is THAT big of a deal?

Have you guys seen Sweden's world cup roster? Their defense is absolutely stacked.
They have Mattias Ekholm, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Victor Hedman, Niklas Hjalmarsson, Erik Karlsson, Niklas Kronwall, and Anton Stralman,
- jvar17

shoulda been klingberg over kronwall

shoulda been klingberg over kronwall
- j.boyd919

Don't think there is much argument about Hedman and Stralman being there.

Don't think there is much argument about Hedman and Stralman being there.
- Artyukhin76

Not at all, I believe those 2 are the best pairing int he league when they're both healthy.

OEL 154 hits -- 2.05 hits per game
Letang 135 hits -- 1.9 hits per game
Burns 101 hits -- 1.23 hits per game
Karlsson 84 hits -- 1.02 hits per game

Hedman 62 hits -- .79 hits per game

Are you honestly going to tell me that the difference of 1.2 hits per game makes a difference in their play? Seriously, with a straight (frank)ing face, you're going to tell me that it is THAT big of a deal?
- j.boyd919

Yes I do think 1 or 2 more hits PER game is a big deal. It's what Chara used to do against all the good players, he would hit them any chance he got and when you have that big body running into you over and over again it wears the players down. Pittsburgh had zero trouble in our zone, there were times it looked like a PP out there when it was 5 on 5. If you have a guy that will put someone on their a$$ time and time again that shuts that down. When you cycle and can skate as fast as Hedman you limit his ability to defend.

Yes I do think 1 or 2 more hits PER game is a big deal. It's what Chara used to do against all the good players, he would hit them any chance he got and when you have that big body running into you over and over again it wears the players down. Pittsburgh had zero trouble in our zone, there were times it looked like a PP out there when it was 5 on 5. If you have a guy that will put someone on their a$$ time and time again that shuts that down. When you cycle and can skate as fast as Hedman you limit his ability to defend.
- Kucherovski

LOL ok, we're done here.

LOL ok, we're done here.
- j.boyd919

Not sure what is wrong with what I said. Hedman is an elite defenseman who plays soft. If there is one aspect of his game that needs work it's the physical aspect.

Not sure what is wrong with what I said. Hedman is an elite defenseman who plays soft. If there is one aspect of his game that needs work it's the physical aspect.
- Kucherovski

Because there are so many factors that go into why Pitt had them hemmed in the offensive zone. Hedman didn't have a competent D partner and had to prop players up (even Stralman, who was not back to 100%). The Pens cycle game is top 3 in the league, depending on what line is on the ice. 1 or 2 more hits are not going to change how a player plays the game. That is ridiculous to even suggest that. It didn't stop Paquette from getting laid out by Chara twice in one game. To think that hits are a deterrent is absurd. More often than not, hits take you out of position, and create odd man breaks or open spaces while you're tangled with said player. Focusing on stick work and positioning blocks those lanes, and keeps your body in a position to make an outlet pass to the speedy forwards. Instead of asking Hedman to be something he is not, he should be honing his everything else that he is elite in, again 1 or 2 hits will NOT make a difference per game, but pushing the puck up to forwards to score goals will. Much like the guys that I've mentioned, his game is about transition, and positioning, not physical play, focusing on physical play would likely diminish his other attributes he does so well, IMO.

Because there are so many factors that go into why Pitt had them hemmed in the offensive zone. Hedman didn't have a competent D partner and had to prop players up (even Stralman, who was not back to 100%). The Pens cycle game is top 3 in the league, depending on what line is on the ice. 1 or 2 more hits are not going to change how a player plays the game. That is ridiculous to even suggest that. It didn't stop Paquette from getting laid out by Chara twice in one game. To think that hits are a deterrent is absurd. More often than not, hits take you out of position, and create odd man breaks or open spaces while you're tangled with said player. Focusing on stick work and positioning blocks those lanes, and keeps your body in a position to make an outlet pass to the speedy forwards. Instead of asking Hedman to be something he is not, he should be honing his everything else that he is elite in, again 1 or 2 hits will NOT make a difference per game, but pushing the puck up to forwards to score goals will. Much like the guys that I've mentioned, his game is about transition, and positioning, not physical play, focusing on physical play would likely diminish his other attributes he does so well, IMO.
- j.boyd919

To say one or two hits more per game doesn't make a difference is insane. If Matt Carle put Kunitz on his ass instead of trying to stick check him he would not have scored. Plenty of goals were scored all playoffs in front of the net with a body on them but the Lightning trying to lift a stick. Yes one or two hits could make a huge difference in a game. Will that make Hedman much better? Probably not, it will add a small element but he is a stud already. Hockey is a physical game, I don't think asking your D man who plays 25 minutes a game to be more physical is all that crazy.

To say one or two hits more per game doesn't make a difference is insane. If Matt Carle put Kunitz on his ass instead of trying to stick check him he would not have scored. Plenty of goals were scored all playoffs in front of the net with a body on them but the Lightning trying to lift a stick. Yes one or two hits could make a huge difference in a game. Will that make Hedman much better? Probably not, it will add a small element but he is a stud already. Hockey is a physical game, I don't think asking your D man who plays 25 minutes a game to be more physical is all that crazy.
- Kucherovski

Very few hits happen in front of the net. Most are in the corners or on zone entries. Or if he had stick checked him and succeeded, stolen the puck, made the outlet pass to whoever was on the ice, they may have had an odd man rush the other way and generated a scoring chance.

To say one or two hits more per game doesn't make a difference is insane. If Matt Carle put Kunitz on his ass instead of trying to stick check him he would not have scored. Plenty of goals were scored all playoffs in front of the net with a body on them but the Lightning trying to lift a stick. Yes one or two hits could make a huge difference in a game. Will that make Hedman much better? Probably not, it will add a small element but he is a stud already. Hockey is a physical game, I don't think asking your D man who plays 25 minutes a game to be more physical is all that crazy.
- Kucherovski

Dog poop on a stick is more useful at stopping people the Matt Carle. He. Is. Garbage.

Yes I do think 1 or 2 more hits PER game is a big deal. It's what Chara used to do against all the good players, he would hit them any chance he got and when you have that big body running into you over and over again it wears the players down. Pittsburgh had zero trouble in our zone, there were times it looked like a PP out there when it was 5 on 5. If you have a guy that will put someone on their a$$ time and time again that shuts that down. When you cycle and can skate as fast as Hedman you limit his ability to defend.
- Kucherovski

Nice comparison between a offensively challenged d-man and one of the best offensive d-man in the league, but yeah let's cherry pick one stat.

One thing you haven't mentioned is this team plays a much different defensive system than the B's and given the history of the B's with Lucic, Chara, Thornton etc the stated goal of the B's was to wear the other team down with hits. They were big, mean, nasty, and had the size to back it up. This Bolts team is not built that way. It is a speed based system that focuses on speed and skill. If you want to compare teams, at least stick with teams who play similar styles. For instance a Kings/Bruins comparison would hold water.

To say one or two hits more per game doesn't make a difference is insane. If Matt Carle put Kunitz on his ass instead of trying to stick check him he would not have scored. Plenty of goals were scored all playoffs in front of the net with a body on them but the Lightning trying to lift a stick. Yes one or two hits could make a huge difference in a game. Will that make Hedman much better? Probably not, it will add a small element but he is a stud already. Hockey is a physical game, I don't think asking your D man who plays 25 minutes a game to be more physical is all that crazy.
- Kucherovski

Or as would actually happen is Carle would be turned into a pilon and Kunitz would walk around him b/c Carle's footspeed is soooo slow.

Dog poop on a stick is more useful at stopping people the Matt Carle. He. Is. Garbage.
- Artyukhin76

...and played his last game in a Bolts uni

...and played his last game in a Bolts uni



- uf1910

I sacrificed my first born to the hockey gods to make sure.

Nice comparison between a offensively challenged d-man and one of the best offensive d-man in the league, but yeah let's cherry pick one stat.

One thing you haven't mentioned is this team plays a much different defensive system than the B's and given the history of the B's with Lucic, Chara, Thornton etc the stated goal of the B's was to wear the other team down with hits. They were big, mean, nasty, and had the size to back it up. This Bolts team is not built that way. It is a speed based system that focuses on speed and skill. If you want to compare teams, at least stick with teams who play similar styles. For instance a Kings/Bruins comparison would hold water.
- uf1910

Wait what? Were you referring to Chara? Chara has a Norris, which everyone says Hedman will get, Chara has two seasons of at least 50 points, Hedman has one but many more years to get it done. They are both about a 0.4 point per game defenseman and Chara has been around much longer.

Before this series I always thought Hedman was a bit overrated. I sure as hell dont think that anymore! Hedman was all over the ice, he broke up so many plays that I thought were sure grade A chances.

When you factor in his size and age... I'd probably put him atop the league.

I'm not as "down" as I thought I would be. Sure, we are out of the playoffs, but most of the team will be back next season, one or two additions to help an already strong core. The cupboards are stocked with very good prospects and we have NINE picks in the upcoming draft. Take heart Lightning fans, the Yzerplan has built this team to endure.

Wait what? Were you referring to Chara? Chara has a Norris, which everyone says Hedman will get, Chara has two seasons of at least 50 points, Hedman has one but many more years to get it done. They are both about a 0.4 point per game defenseman and Chara has been around much longer.
- Kucherovski

Yes I was referring to Chara, the same Chara you compared to Hedman even tho they are drastically different players