I know faceoffs are important but can't a winger take a draw if needed?

Are faceoffs really the biggest reason people don't like Giroux on wing?

We do know if the draw is super important he can go take it.
- J35Bacher

The only issue I'd argue on that is that Giroux and Couturier were tied for best team FO% last year (or over 2 years I forget), so having them both on the same line negates one of them.

I'm marveled at Provorov but yeah I know what you mean
- nastyflyergirl

I admire Provorov's game but exciting he isn't. I'd take 5 of him but toss Ghost in there to get me on my feet.

No it doesn't not.
- jmatchett383

The only issue I'd argue on that is that Giroux and Couturier were tied for best team FO% last year (or over 2 years I forget), so having them both on the same line negates one of them.
- jmatchett383

It does but at the end of a game if a big draw is needed he can go out.

And really there is probably a good change Giroux and Couturier will probably both be out anyways

Understand.

But I do think he'll be able to create from the left side. Being a right shot he'll be able to see the ice coming into the zone and could cut a cross into a better shooter angle.

Also the new face off rules, if they stick to it, could change the FO worry but we will have to see how things go on that front.
- J35Bacher

With the way teams play offensively, the change isn't going to matter much in the offensive zone. It's the neutral and defensive zone where the difference is. He's also going to be taking draws I would imagine.

I could have adapted too but is was strange at first. My point however is that is Giroux is one of the best faceoff men in hockey he should be at center unless he is hurting. Just my opinion.
- joegreif17

There are pros and cons to the move.

Another advantage that hasn't really been touched on about Sanheim over Manning and MacDonald is SIZE and SPEED.

Manning and MacDonald do get pushed off the puck...and often. Sanheim has a lot more size over both of them, in addition to the offensive attribute.


Like Hextall said...if a rookie outplays a vet...there's no reason for the rookie to be sent down. He will find a way.

Here's hoping he sticks to his word. Because honestly, Sanheim has outplayed both of them by a country mile.

I played center all my life and from my own experience it was weird playing the wing on occasion. (I was invited to NYR camp in 1970 and have played good hockey). I hope I am wrong but it is just my opinion that he may struggle. It is a whole different game on the wing and Giroux is also the teams best face off man so it seem weird not to have him winning draws. If he has a wrist issue then he is going to have to adapt.
- joegreif17

Line combinations are like Mandala Sand paintings now anyway. For the forwards, it's usually first man in/2nd man in/3rd man high. With D jumping up more, forwards often have to turn around and play stand up D if the puck comes back quick the other way. I don't think it's a big deal. G has looked decent so far, better than Voracek who needs to pick things up. Couturier is what he is. He's hardly gifted offensively but has been a solid .5 PPG guy and that number SHOULD go up playing with more talented scoring wingers which he really hasn't had the last four seasons.

Provorov is good, but he's not exciting/dynamic like Ghost, Sanheim, and AMac.
- jmatchett383

agreed but I love watching him play. I love watching players make subtle good plays but thats me

I've been reading that (frank)ing book every night for 2 months
- Streit2ThePoint

it doesnt sound like you have

MAYBE YOUR FRIENDS ARE HIDING FROM YOU FOR A REASON
- Streit2ThePoint

Hey, what is your projected VGK opening day roster?

Line combinations are like Mandala Sand paintings now anyway. For the forwards, it's usually first man in/2nd man in/3rd man high. With D jumping up more, forwards often have to turn around and play stand up D if the puck comes back quick the other way. I don't think it's a big deal. G has looked decent so far, better than Voracek who needs to pick things up. Couturier is what he is. He's hardly gifted offensively but has been a solid .5 PPG guy and that number SHOULD go up playing with more talented scoring wingers which he really hasn't had the last four seasons.
- fls13

Couturier has played a lot with Voracek the past two seasons and that line has produced a lot of goals, with Couturier being the more productive player of the two. You could plug almost any winger on the team in that LW spot and that would continue. There's really not a need to move Giroux there unless they feel Giroux can't handle playing center anymore.

Didn't I hear when the Giroux to wing and Couts to center was first proposed that they had different strong sides and that they would be used for their strong side for faceoffs?

First game of the season for me last night. It's hilarious how guys will literally skate away from the center position before a faceoff because they don't want to play the pivot.

So maybe Giroux is welcoming this move to the wing?

Didn't I hear when the Giroux to wing and Couts to center was first proposed that they had different strong sides and that they would be used for their strong side for faceoffs?
- dragonoffrost

I heard that too.

And with the faceoff infractions now being enforced by the League, it might actually be a very good thing to have 2 centers at the faceoff dot.

Didn't I hear when the Giroux to wing and Couts to center was first proposed that they had different strong sides and that they would be used for their strong side for faceoffs?
- dragonoffrost

One is right handed and one is left handed, if that's what you mean

One is right handed and one is left handed, if that's what you mean
- YuenglingJagr

I just typed the way it was worded in the report I heard. But that's what they meant I bet. It probably also had to do with the circle in relation to the closest goal.

Giroux-Couturier-Voracek
Weal-Patrick-Simmonds
Konecny-Filppula-Weise
Raffl-Laughton-Lehtera

Provorov-Gudas
Macdonald-Sanheim
Morin-Gostisbehere

Elliot
Neuvirth

Just when I think I've figured it out, I forget Robert Hagg and Oskar Lindblum

Just when I think I've figured it out, I forget Robert Hagg and Oskar Lindblum
- SuperSchennBros

Good problem to have huh?

Live look at Hakstol coming up with a gameplan:

Live look at Hakstol coming up with a gameplan:


- BINGO!

as long as that isn't whole milk, you're probably right

Still prefer Giroux at Center but don't understand the brewing hate for Filppula as a Top 9 center. He's looked very solid in the pre season games I've seen.

If the stacked top line keeps progressing I don't mind this one bit.

Giroux-Couturier-Voracek
Weal-Patrick-Simmonds
Lindblom-Filppula-Konecny

The only reason to move Giroux from C is to kick start his 5v5 production.

I think Patrick makes the team but not sure I believe he nailed down the #2C spot.
Everything I'm reading says his defense is good so why not start the season at #3C.

Lindbolm, Weal and Konecny have actually played LW.

This top 9 makes more sense to me:

Lindbolm - Filpulla - Giroux
Weal - Courterier - Voracheck
Konecny - Patrick - Simmonds

...but Filppula will struggle a bit.

Not every team can have a genius like Bill Peters as coach who can take a bottom five roster and push it all the way to bottom seven.

The only reason to move Giroux from C is to kick start his 5v5 production.

I think Patrick makes the team but not sure I believe he nailed down the #2C spot.
Everything I'm reading says his defense is good so why not start the season at #3C.

Lindbolm, Weal and Konecny have actually played LW.

This top 9 makes more sense to me:

Lindbolm - Filpulla - Giroux
Weal - Courterier - Voracheck
Konecny - Patrick - Simmonds

...but Filppula will struggle a bit.
- JGHawley

That's new. Those two wingers on the third line look pretty good.