Ghost and Sanheim can move the puck from RD as well as any righty. Not saying it isn't nice to have all opposite handed pairs, but it is really overblown imo. If you're an elite puck mover, odds are you can play RD no problem. Hell some rare D even prefer it, though there are guys who don't. Depends on individual.

Some names I can think of that played off hand a lot or exclusively with no problems: Pronger, Coby, Hjalmarsson, Orr, Bourque, Niedermayer, Streit...my point is that it really isn't usually a problem if the defenseman has great puck skills.
- Mononoke

I don't know. I actually think it makes a difference. Read a piece on it years ago. The data wasn't perfect, but it appeared there was a difference.

I don't know. I actually think it makes a difference. Read a piece on it years ago. The data wasn't perfect, but it appeared there was a difference.
- PhillySportsGuy

It was a minor effect. Guys like Niedermayer and Orr played their entire careers on the off side...didn't hurt them. Again, it depends on the individual. The data can gloss over that lumping everyone together and having players who should not be on off side on their off side. Someone like Sanheim always play RD. Sergachev too. Are they really inferior on that side? Like I said: preferable, but no worth fussing about if your d men are good enough. Don't need to force it.

We do have Myers and Friedman and for now Gudas too. Not completely devoid.

Seeing that picture was why I created my account.
- Mononoke

I'm honored

Ghost and Sanheim can move the puck from RD as well as any righty. Not saying it isn't nice to have all opposite handed pairs, but it is really overblown imo. If you're an elite puck mover, odds are you can play RD no problem. Hell some rare D even prefer it, though there are guys who don't. Depends on individual.

Some names I can think of that played off hand a lot or exclusively with no problems: Pronger, Coby, Hjalmarsson, Orr, Bourque, Niedermayer, Streit...my point is that it really isn't usually a problem if the defenseman has good-great puck skills. There's no way the Sharks and Pens wouldn't be even better puck moving teams with someone like Ghost playing RD.
- Mononoke

The pens d are eating the Sharks alive with how active they are. When they get the puck, they are always in shooting position with the puck. They don't have to dilly dally around. Sanheim has a long way to go to group him with ghost imo.

Why fight it so much. The names on the Sharks and pens d units don't blow you away but it seems like getting them to play on their strong side is maximizing everyone of them. Just an observation

It was a minor effect. Guys like Niedermayer and Orr played their entire careers on the off side...didn't hurt them. Again, it depends on the individual. The data can gloss over that lumping everyone together and having players who should not be on off side on their off side. Someone like Sanheim always play RD. Sergachev too. Are they really inferior on that side? Like I said: preferable, but no worth fussing about if your d men are good enough. Don't need to force it.

We do have Myers and Friedman and for now Gudas too. Not completely devoid.
- Mononoke

I'm not worried about it and I agree that LH guys can play on their off side as long as they're comfortable. I just think it does matter a bit, but not enough to make wholesale changes to accommodate it

I'm not worried about it and I agree that LH guys can play on their off side as long as they're comfortable. I just think it does matter a bit, but not enough to make wholesale changes to accommodate it
- PhillySportsGuy

I remember Streit saying he doesn't care, but switching from one to the other too much can be tough.

Reduced to watching the Penguins win a fourth Cup. Pathetic

Why fight it so much. The names on the Sharks and pens d units don't blow you away but it seems like getting them to play on their strong side is maximizing everyone of them. Just an observation
- Just5

Wouldn't fighting it be taking all our great LHD in the organization and trading or finding new ones who are lesser but RHD? One or both Ghost and Sanheim will be on the right most likely. They're good at it, so it is OK. Sanheim exclusively plays RD with his partner Bean. I highly doubt Ghost at RD would be less preferential to Lovejoy, Schultz, or Polak.

Sharks can't do poop in the offensive zone.

Since we are talking off sides, something I'd like to see is the forwards stop playing their off sides on the PP. Does any other elite PP do this? They all seem to play on their natural wing. It makes it more fluid passing wise and harder to read. Flyers have it ingrained like this for some reason that it HAS to be this way.

Reduced to watching the Penguins win a fourth Cup. Pathetic
- PLindbergh31

On the bright side Fluery has to watch from the bench.

Sharks can't do poop in the offensive zone.
- bird_dog_pa

Defensive monsters Dimoulin, Cole, and Lovejoy are absolute blueline stalwarts.

Defensive monsters Dimoulin, Cole, and Lovejoy are absolute blueline stalwarts.
- PLindbergh31

Rutherford a rotting corpse of a GM.

Sharks got their win for the series.

Rutherford a rotting corpse of a GM.
- Just5

Dimoulin, Cole, Lovejoy, and 67 year old Cullen on the Penguins PK. Laughable if this is the best the NHL has to offer

I don't know. I actually think it makes a difference. Read a piece on it years ago. The data wasn't perfect, but it appeared there was a difference.
- PhillySportsGuy

It matters less to guys who are really good with their sticks or can recover really quickly.

For most guys tho, they need that extra half-second to make a play or keep a puck in or poke a puck away.

Metallicca and vinny. Retirement can't get here soon enough
- Just5

You'd figure by this point in their careers they'd actually be able to... you know... not play so many wrong notes.

Dimoulin, Cole, Lovejoy, and 67 year old Cullen on the Penguins PK. Laughable if this is the best the NHL has to offer
- PLindbergh31

I think it's great that a league with a handful of watchable teams feels it can EXPAND!

Jeez I hope Pavelski stops choking soon.

Remember the time Doc Emrick confused Joel Ward for Patrick Marleau

Jeez I hope Pavelski stops choking soon.
- MBFlyerfan

well it's tough playing against the refs every game of the season

Reduced to watching the Penguins win a fourth Cup. Pathetic
- PLindbergh31

egg on giroux's face

Damn are the pens really gonna win 4 before we get another? Hextall's plan better work.