Everyone is so obsessed with 18 year old forwards that I'm starting to think the NHL might have a Catholic Church type of problem....
- rangerdanger94

18 is far too old for the Church !

Ray Donovan

Not to sure why you have a hard on on anybody on that Dcorp not named Klingberg.

Dont get me wrong, they are allright and shoudnt be too much of an issue, BUT its seems far from the caliber needed to be considered a cup contenter. Very far
- Xizord

the penguins won the cup with lovejoy, schultz, and a barely effective olli matta so not catching your drift here

Not to sure why you have a hard on on anybody on that Dcorp not named Klingberg.

Dont get me wrong, they are allright and shoudnt be too much of an issue, BUT its seems far from the caliber needed to be considered a cup contenter. Very far
- Xizord

I think you are just ignorant to Dallas' defensive prospects.

And Hamhuis is well worth having a full chub over

what you continue to fail to understand is that being older and more experienced does not automatically make you good. if these kids can play (and dallas thinks they can) then why get someone who is more expensive and not as good? you're just assuming these kids can't handle a top 4 or 6 role and thats just not true. saying that because chicago has keith and seabrook is proof that you need older defenders is ridiculous. they're really good and its not because of their age
- bulet13

Actually you have it completely ass backwards. Max is just not assuming they can handle top 4 minutes. You see, there is a big difference between not assuming they can and assuming they can't. Give the guy a little more credit before you look like a knob. Obviously he understands older/experienced does not always equal better. A small (frank)ing child knows that. If that's the argument you think he is trying to make then this entire discussion has clearly gone over your head.

the penguins won the cup with lovejoy, schultz, and a barely effective olli matta so not catching your drift here
- bulet13

You forgot Ian Cole

Actually you have it completely ass backwards. Max is just not assuming they can handle top 4 minutes. You see, there is a big difference between not assuming they can and assuming they can't. Give the guy a little more credit before you look like a knob. Obviously he understands older/experienced does not always equal better. A small (frank)ing child knows that. If that's the argument you think he is trying to make then this entire discussion has clearly gone over your head.
- RonPielep

you clearly have not been following along and must be reading some other blog

what you continue to fail to understand is that being older and more experienced does not automatically make you good. if these kids can play (and dallas thinks they can) then why get someone who is more expensive and not as good? you're just assuming these kids can't handle a top 4 or 6 role and thats just not true. saying that because chicago has keith and seabrook is proof that you need older defenders is ridiculous. they're really good and its not because of their age
- bulet13

There in lies the argument. The Stars are not only assuming those kids will be able to handle top-4 minutes, they're banking on it. I'm critiquing them for exactly what you're now critiquing me for. It's not fact that they're unable to handle top-4 minutes, but nor is it fact that they will be able to.

I won't say this again, so please make sure you get this part:

I'm not saying they're doomed to failure because of this, but I'm merely making the contention that I think the team should've looked to add another established and safe bet for top-4 minutes so that Lindell or Honka or whoever would have to unseat him before getting top-4 minutes.

1st year D men under the age of 23 over the last 3 seasons with 20+ points

http://www.hockey-referen...d=5&order_by=games_played

You forgot Ian Cole
- Feds91Stammer

ah yes thank you. they also won with *gasp* a rookie goaltender! and two rookie forwards who had an important impact and a few gwg to boot. i bet they really wish they had some older, more experienced guys (cough fluery cough) instead of all their rookies

the penguins won the cup with lovejoy, schultz, and a barely effective olli matta so not catching your drift here
- bulet13

At the end of the day, how good a team is defensively depends on the system and all 5 skaters on the ice. The Penguins didn't win the Cup because of the names on their defense; they won because of how they played team defense as a 5 man unit. The forwards are every bit as important as the defensemen.

The Rangers under Torts were an elite defensive team due to the system and playing as a 5 man unit as well.

Ultimately, no matter who Dallas rolls out on the back end assuming they are at least serviceable defensemen, they will do well defensively if the forwards buy in and work their asses off in their own end. If they back check hard and support the defense the way they are supposed to, Dallas will do well.

1st year D men under the age of 23 over the last 3 seasons with 20+ points

http://www.hockey-referen...d=5&order_by=games_played
- Feds91Stammer

alas ghost bear is 24 years old

what you continue to fail to understand is that being older and more experienced does not automatically make you good. if these kids can play (and dallas thinks they can) then why get someone who is more expensive and not as good? you're just assuming these kids can't handle a top 4 or 6 role and thats just not true. saying that because chicago has keith and seabrook is proof that you need older defenders is ridiculous. they're really good and its not because of their age
- bulet13

And what you continue to fail to understand is : even if they look good on paper, maybe these 2 rookies wont do the job...so much can happen in the course of the season and there so many hyped player that just NEVER deliver...

And what you continue to fail to understand is : even if they look good on paper, maybe these 2 rookies wont do the job...so much can happen in the course of the season and there so many hyped player that just NEVER deliver...
- Xizord

I agree Dallas should sign Dan Boyle that would make them better

At the end of the day, how good a team is defensively depends on the system and all 5 skaters on the ice. The Penguins didn't win the Cup because of the names on their defense; they won because of how they played team defense as a 5 man unit. The forwards are every bit as important as the defensemen.

The Rangers under Torts were an elite defensive team due to the system and playing as a 5 man unit as well.

Ultimately, no matter who Dallas rolls out on the back end assuming they are at least serviceable defensemen, they will do well defensively if the forwards buy in and work their asses off in their own end. If they back check hard and support the defense the way they are supposed to, Dallas will do well.
- rangerdanger94

too bad you weren't the person i was trying to convince hahaha

And what you continue to fail to understand is : even if they look good on paper, maybe these 2 rookies wont do the job...so much can happen in the course of the season and there so many hyped player that just NEVER deliver...
- Xizord

ah yes because any of the remaining defensemen on the FA market are game changers

At the end of the day, how good a team is defensively depends on the system and all 5 skaters on the ice. The Penguins didn't win the Cup because of the names on their defense; they won because of how they played team defense as a 5 man unit. The forwards are every bit as important as the defensemen.

The Rangers under Torts were an elite defensive team due to the system and playing as a 5 man unit as well.

Ultimately, no matter who Dallas rolls out on the back end assuming they are at least serviceable defensemen, they will do well defensively if the forwards buy in and work their asses off in their own end. If they back check hard and support the defense the way they are supposed to, Dallas will do well.
- rangerdanger94

This hasn't exactly been their calling card else they wouldn't have let in as many goals as they did last year when they had a deeper and more established D corps.

I agree Dallas should sign Dan Boyle that would make them better
- rangerdanger94

Yeah they should go
Hamhuis - Klingberg
Ehrhoff - Boyle
Oduya - Benn

That is much better.

alas ghost bear is 24 years old
- bulet13

He sucks because he is from FL.

the penguins won the cup with lovejoy, schultz, and a barely effective olli matta so not catching your drift here
- bulet13

Althought the Dallas forward are very good, Crosby and Malkin are better than anybody on that roster (when looking at the full package)

Same can be said for Letang and anybody on Dallas D

oh oh oh..or ANY of the 3 goalies from Pitsburgh

but its quite allright, you don't seem to catch much !

There in lies the argument. The Stars are not only assuming those kids will be able to handle top-4 minutes, they're banking on it. I'm critiquing them for exactly what you're now critiquing me for. It's not fact that they're unable to handle top-4 minutes, but nor is it fact that they will be able to.

I won't say this again, so please make sure you get this part:

I'm not saying they're doomed to failure because of this, but I'm merely making the contention that I think the team should've looked to add another established and safe bet for top-4 minutes so that Lindell or Honka or whoever would have to unseat him before getting top-4 minutes.
- MaximumBone

if it was easy to get a safe bet top 4 defender without having to give much up or overpay every team would be jumping at it right now. its clear that either the asking price is too high or someone like that is not available. you're assuming that they can add this mythical player, but maybe they already tried and just can't

love the auto correct
- storm88

Alright, everyone has made their positions very clear, arguing time is over. Time to place your bets or stfu.
- RonPielep

Yeah, I'm about done arguing my point against what is fundamentally a different argument all together. See ya back in the Oilers thread, Ronald!

Althought the Dallas forward are very good, Crosby and Malkin are better than anybody on that roster (when looking at the full package)

Same can be said for Letang and anybody on Dallas D

oh oh oh..or ANY of the 3 goalies from Pitsburgh

but its quite allright, you don't seem to catch much !
- Xizord

thanks for helping my argument dummy

This hasn't exactly been their calling card else they wouldn't have let in as many goals as they did last year when they had a deeper and more established D corps.
- MaximumBone

It's never black and white. There a multiple factors that resulted in their GA. It includes poor defensive play, lazy effort from the forwards, bad goaltending, etc.

He sucks because he is from FL.
- Feds91Stammer

forgot about that part