Ziggy wins it on the PP.

Cup is coming home.
- Unholy_Goalie

- TheTaoOfSemenko

It's sad that the arena looks the same before, during and after the hockey game. How the hell is that team going to survive out in Abbotsford? They're not even the Canucks farm team. They're the team for the Flames. Who in the hell is going to have any kind of interest to go watch them?

It's sad that the arena looks the same before, during and after the hockey game. How the hell is that team going to survive out in Abbotsford? They're not even the Canucks farm team. They're the team for the Flames. Who in the hell is going to have any kind of interest to go watch them?
- Unholy_Goalie

Pretty much every AHL arena is like that. They get money from the big clubs.

It's sad that the arena looks the same before, during and after the hockey game. How the hell is that team going to survive out in Abbotsford? They're not even the Canucks farm team. They're the team for the Flames. Who in the hell is going to have any kind of interest to go watch them?
- Unholy_Goalie

It was a bad idea. At least the Oilers farm team isn't near a divisional rival. They just have to compete with the Thunder...who are currently pursuing an NBA title. Im sure lots of people are going.

It's sad that the arena looks the same before, during and after the hockey game. How the hell is that team going to survive out in Abbotsford? They're not even the Canucks farm team. They're the team for the Flames. Who in the hell is going to have any kind of interest to go watch them?
- Unholy_Goalie

I'll never understand why ANY of these teams aren't within a 3 hour drive from their big clubs.

Edit: Moving the Marlies back from St. John's was a great idea.

Pretty much every AHL arena is like that. They get money from the big clubs.
- yea-ok-buddy

That's not true. Abbotsford is one of the worst.

marlolies

marlolies
- flyfan1212

Flolyers.

I'll never understand why ANY of these teams aren't within a 3 hour drive from their big clubs.

Edit: Moving the Marlies back from St. John's was a great idea.
- As_I_See_It

There are some NHL clubs that can't even fill their place out, what are the odds their AHL team down the road will?

The AHL teams should be reasonably close but that only works with some markets. Could you really see a team 3 hours away from the Coyotes? Or the Panthers?

Flolyers.
- As_I_See_It

ty

There are some NHL clubs that can't even fill their place out, what are the odds their AHL team down the road will?

The AHL teams should be reasonably close but that only works with some markets. Could you really see a team 3 hours away from the Coyotes? Or the Panthers?
- Unholy_Goalie

Good point, but there are plenty of teams who could relocate their farm team and support both.

It's also a nice advantage for an NHL GM to be able to watch their AHL team anytime to get a better feel for their prospects and even coaching staff, not to mention emergency call-ups.

You would need hell to thaw, then freeze over again, knock the stars out of alignment and then align them again to have Parise play center.

Zach Parise is not a center. Neither is Rick Nash for the next guy that suggests we get Nash and put him at center because he's big or something.
- Unholy_Goalie

Umm..he may not play Center for the Devils, but Parise was drafted as a centerman, and is VERY capable of playing the position. He was transitioned to the wing for defensive purposes which would NOT be a problem with his development as a very well rounded player. He would do just fine there, especially with his speed, and skillset. Rick Nash has ALWAYS been a RW, Zach Parise..has not.

Umm..he may not play Center for the Devils, but Parise was drafted as a centerman, and is VERY capable of playing the position. He was transitioned to the wing for defensive purposes which would NOT be a problem with his development as a very well rounded player. He would do just fine there, especially with his speed, and skillset. Rick Nash has ALWAYS been a RW, Zach Parise..has not.
- Rysko81

except for that tiny little fact that he has been quoted as saying he hates playing center.

I have not found the quote for myself. I also havent looked for it

Ashton plays over Kadri, Armstrong and connolly
- steve362

LOL..um no he doesnt. Even D'amigo has a better chance than Ashton.
-
Prospect chances of making the team next year in this order:
1. Kadri
2. Frattin
3. D'amigo
4. Colborne
5. Scrivens
6. Blacker
7. Ashton
-
Ashton was garbage when he was up with the Leafs this year. That said, he has a solid work ethic and good frame/skillset to work with. He's very raw, but with a few yrs down on the Marlies may become something worthwhile.

Umm..he may not play Center for the Devils, but Parise was drafted as a centerman, and is VERY capable of playing the position. He was transitioned to the wing for defensive purposes which would NOT be a problem with his development as a very well rounded player. He would do just fine there, especially with his speed, and skillset. Rick Nash has ALWAYS been a RW, Zach Parise..has not.
- Rysko81

So basically you would take what has worked so well for him, transfer him to a position he has not played for some time and just assume everything would be the same or better. You're aware that playing center is a lot different than playing wing yes?

So basically you would take what has worked so well for him, transfer him to a position he has not played for some time and just assume everything would be the same or better. You're aware that playing center is a lot different than playing wing yes?
- TheTaoOfSemenko

I've played center and wing my whole life so yes bud im aware. He's a superstar, not a sub par, the transition would have bumps, but nothing that wouldn't be smoothed over in a short period of time. Playing center got him drafted ahead of Getzlaf, Perry, Kesler and many other great players, doesnt sound like it didnt work for him. Positional transitions dont turn you into insufficient players when you are that good, if you think that you're ridiculous.
-
PS: Parise's skill set isn't typical for a winger, his speed, durability, and playmaking are everything you'd expect from a centerman, i think he'd honestly be better at center in the right situation.

I've played center and wing my whole life so yes bud im aware. He's a superstar, not a sub par, the transition would have bumps, but nothing that wouldn't be smoothed over in a short period of time. Playing center got him drafted ahead of Getzlaf, Perry, Kesler and many other great players, doesnt sound like it didnt work for him. Positional transitions dont turn you into insufficient players when you are that good, if you think that you're ridiculous.
-
PS: Parise's skill set isn't typical for a winger, his speed, durability, and playmaking are everything you'd expect from a centerman, i think he'd honestly be better at center in the right situation.
- Rysko81

A number of players got drafted before Getz, Perry and Kesler, and Parise as well. Lots of guys that played center throughout juniors get moved to wing in the NHL. Center in the NHL is the hardest job there is (asides from tending) and many, even superstars, find that their skillsets dont quite make it. Its a little different than the tier of league guys like us play in.

You may be right, but I doubt you'll find many, if any, GMs that will agree with you. I know I wouldn't do it. Just my two cents.

Umm..he may not play Center for the Devils, but Parise was drafted as a centerman, and is VERY capable of playing the position. He was transitioned to the wing for defensive purposes which would NOT be a problem with his development as a very well rounded player. He would do just fine there, especially with his speed, and skillset. Rick Nash has ALWAYS been a RW, Zach Parise..has not.
- Rysko81

What the hell is your point? Kessel was drafted as a center too. Doesn't mean he can play it well enough at the NHL level that he can be a legit 1st line center.

A lot of high speed, high skill players are put at center when they're younger because it's a lot easier for them to score and control the game. The NHL is a completely different story. If Parise could play center well enough and if Parise liked it enough he would have played center. But he didn't.

PS: Parise's skill set isn't typical for a winger, his speed, durability, and playmaking are everything you'd expect from a centerman, i think he'd honestly be better at center in the right situation.
- Rysko81

PS: Every single NHL head coach to ever coach him has disagreed with you.

So basically you would take what has worked so well for him, transfer him to a position he has not played for some time and just assume everything would be the same or better. You're aware that playing center is a lot different than playing wing yes?
- TheTaoOfSemenko

All he has to do is pull on that Maple Leafs jersey. The rest will take care of itself.

What the hell is your point? Kessel was drafted as a center too. Doesn't mean he can play it well enough at the NHL level that he can be a legit 1st line center.

A lot of high speed, high skill players are put at center when they're younger because it's a lot easier for them to score and control the game. The NHL is a completely different story. If Parise could play center well enough and if Parise liked it enough he would have played center. But he didn't.
- Unholy_Goalie

I don't think Kessel is a good comparison, as his skillset is bread for the wing. Long stick, hard shot, doesnt get his nose nearly as dirty as Parise. As for no coaches agreeing with me, this is irrelevant. Are you telling me you've never sat at home (edit: and disagreed with a coaches decisions?) and asked yourself why certain players are never experimented next to eachother? Like for instance, did you ever ask yourself why Grabovski NEVER played with Kessel and Lupul? Now sure you'll say no, and have an answer like "we shouldnt put all our eggs in one basket," but when we were absolutely terrible on our 12 or sumn game losing streak, why on earth was it never tried? Parise at center would not exactly be like putting Bozak on D, he has all the intangibles to be good at that position, so that "the hell" is my point loll. If you don't agree so be it, but dont tell me im wrong just because the circumstance hasn't been tried.

The best art, comes from the most creative. I see no difference in coaching. Coaches are afraid to try things like this because they are scared they'll lose their job and look like a fool, not because it doesnt work. I agree center is its toughest in the NHL, but when you're a top 10 player in the NHL, which if Parise isnt, hes on the fringe of being, and you've excelled at the position before, i see absolutely no proof that he wouldnt do so on the big stage. My opinion is that he'd be great at center.

A number of players got drafted before Getz, Perry and Kesler, and Parise as well. Lots of guys that played center throughout juniors get moved to wing in the NHL. Center in the NHL is the hardest job there is (asides from tending) and many, even superstars, find that their skillsets dont quite make it. Its a little different than the tier of league guys like us play in.

You may be right, but I doubt you'll find many, if any, GMs that will agree with you. I know I wouldn't do it. Just my two cents.
- TheTaoOfSemenko

Fair enough. Like you though, i'd have to see him fail to believe it. Just like you'd have to see him succeed to believe it. Its all theoretical, but i think at the very least (IF SIGNED) could at least be tried.

I don't think Kessel is a good comparison, as his skillset is bread for the wing. Long stick, hard shot, doesnt get his nose nearly as dirty as Parise. As for no coaches agreeing with me, this is irrelevant. Are you telling me you've never sat at home (edit: and disagreed with a coaches decisions?) and asked yourself why certain players are never experimented next to eachother?
- Rysko81

Parise has never played center in the NHL because both he and his coaches have agreed, unanimously, that he's not good there. This isn't one coach. This is every single one he's ever had. Including himself.

Like for instance, did you never ask yourself why Grabovski NEVER played with Kessel and Lupul? Now sure you'll say no, and have an answer like "we shouldnt put all our eggs in one basket," but when we were absolutely terrible on our 12 or sumn game losing streak, why on earth was it never tried?

Because both Kessel and Grabovski need the puck on their stick. They're both shooters. They mix like oil and water.

Parise at center would not exactly be like putting Bozak on D, he has all the intangibles to be good at that position, so that "the hell" is my point loll. If you don't agree so be it, but dont tell me im wrong just because the circumstance hasn't been tried.

It's been tried and it failed. He hates it and his coaches don't like it either.

Parise has never played center in the NHL because both he and his coaches have agreed, unanimously, that he's not good there. This isn't one coach. This is every single one he's ever had. Including himself.



Because both Kessel and Grabovski need the puck on their stick. They're both shooters. They mix like oil and water.



It's been tried and it failed. He hates it and his coaches don't like it either.
- Unholy_Goalie

Kessel and Grabovski when on the ice together, have the puck in the oppositions zone 56% of the time. When not together this number substantially decreases. (corsi #'s). I recall MANY times in between line changes where these two would hemm the opposition in their zone and it would create a goal. They are not like oil and water, THAT is a false assumption. Grabovski and Kessel are both solid playmakers, and although Kessel, loves the puck on his stick ON THE RUSH he doesnt necessarily love having it on his stick in the offensive zone (unless its him getting the puck from a playmaker behind traffic to create an opening for his shot, whether its after a move or on the one timer). He gets trapped along the wall looking for an outlet many-a-time but Grabovski always finds a way to get open (great for this issue). You're not looking at the big picture you are looking at small instances, like "Kessel likes to shoot and so does Grabo", "Grabo likes the puck on his stick and so does Kessel". Those are very limited perspectives.