James Tanner: Coyotes Questions Heading into the Season Looking into some of the more pressing questions heading into camp.

I doubt EOL and Yandle make the best PP combo in the league.,

I doubt EOL and Yandle make the best PP combo in the league.,
- WaterBoy

Well, i used the qualifier "arguably " but even so, whos better?

Well, i used the qualifier "arguably " but even so, whos better?
- James_Tanner

It's up there for sure.

STL,
Bos
MTL

Come to mind

and of course,

Chi
Nsh

Well, i used the qualifier "arguably " but even so, whos better?
- James_Tanner

Its a tough question to answer since not all team play with a 2 dman PP unit.
Bet yes they are probably the best point producing pairing for Dmen

Remember how I ripped you for your last blog where you claimed that everyone was going to improve on the team and Phoenix were going to make the playoffs?

Well, you should just delete that blog... make it never exist, and replace it with this one. While I still have some issues, this is a much better blog that outlines the question marks surrounding the Coyotes this upcoming season.

Remember how I ripped you for your last blog where you claimed that everyone was going to improve on the team and Phoenix were going to make the playoffs?

Well, you should just delete that blog... make it never exist, and replace it with this one. While I still have some issues, this is a much better blog that outlines the question marks surrounding the Coyotes this upcoming season.
- BruHAWK

I agree, it was better but still had a few weird statements that with a little fact checking could be clean up. The 6'6 Skill set is odd, curious I googled and you see Nick Bjugstad and Nik Antropov as other 6'6 notable forwards recently. Wih Bjugstad matching Hanzal production already and Antropov producing way beyond it. So just boils down to opinion on players if thats the skill set you are comparing to, since the offensive skill set seems to be mute with those comparisons.

If was an "in my opinion" statement, thats fine, but it comes off as this is a fact, which just opens up debate and nitpicking

The only question is during which game will Domi record his 100th point? My guess is game 63, and he gets 120 this year.

Unfortunately I think it's asking a lot to expect much more out of Hanzel, Boedker
may be a bit different though

Hanzel is 27 and should be in his prime but really haven't seen much in the way of steady, season after season improvement. He did just have his best season stat wise so that's optimistic, just don't see him getting over 20 goals.

Boedker is younger and he's shown steady improvement, my money would be on him getting past 20 goals, 60 points before Hanzel does.

The only question is during which game will Domi record his 100th point? My guess is game 63, and he gets 120 this year.
- FinAddict

His first. Period, that is.

Unfortunately I think it's asking a lot to expect much more out of Hanzel, Boedker
may be a bit different though

Hanzel is 27 and should be in his prime but really haven't seen much in the way of steady, season after season improvement. He did just have his best season stat wise so that's optimistic, just don't see him getting over 20 goals.

Boedker is younger and he's shown steady improvement, my money would be on him getting past 20 goals, 60 points before Hanzel does.
- nikel

The thing about Hanzal is that he may be 27, but (possibly due to his size)his development has been hurt by constant injuries. If he can remain healthy and take advantage of the opportunity that exists for him this year, maybe he can capitalize on it.

I think too often we follow these narratives that determine how a players career trajectory goes - like if he hasnt done this by this age he isn't ever going to -
and yes, I do realize that those things exists because they are generalizations, but there are exceptions to every rule.

In the last 5 years, the Blue Jays have had Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnation go from bench players /4A-ball players into superstars who are probably top 5/10 hitters in the MLB. They both did it after age 27 when conventional wisdom said they were washed up post-hype players who should be happy to just get a MLB paycheck.

Now - Obviously - these are not guys who are going to be representative of a normal development curve , they are both anomalies, but they should give people pause before they right a guy off just because he hasn't achieved his potential by a certain age.

I am not saying that Hanzal is going to suddenly be a great player, but it is possible.

I agree, it was better but still had a few weird statements that with a little fact checking could be clean up. The 6'6 Skill set is odd, curious I googled and you see Nick Bjugstad and Nik Antropov as other 6'6 notable forwards recently. Wih Bjugstad matching Hanzal production already and Antropov producing way beyond it. So just boils down to opinion on players if thats the skill set you are comparing to, since the offensive skill set seems to be mute with those comparisons.

If was an "in my opinion" statement, thats fine, but it comes off as this is a fact, which just opens up debate and nitpicking
- DDM-Coga

Bjugstad got 2 less points than Hanzal in 11 less games and you have taken me to task on far smaller margins.

This list of players 6'6" or taller http://www.sportingcharts...t-players-in-the-nhl.aspx

Shows that a forward that tall who is offensively skilled and not a goon is incredibly rare, so my statement actually does stand up to scrutiny.

Hanzel has 2 inches and 20 pounds on guys like Getzlaf and Stall. Antropov is a good comparison, but I'd say the same thing about the rarity of his size/skillset too. Actually Antropov is a good comparison in another way - he was so tall that he was beset by knee and back injuries for much of his career and his best year ended up coming when he was 29 and picked up 67 points in 76 games, close to the point per game player everyone always though he could have been.

Those two guys are actually a great comparison - huge, skilled, injured, tantalizing and leaving you wanting more. If you check it out, their careers mirror each other pretty closely. Antropov put up his first 50+ point season in his 9th year, I am sure long after anyone thought it was possible. If Hanzal picks up 67 points in this, his seventh year, I think we'll all be happy.

Bjugstad got 2 less points than Hanzal in 11 less games and you have taken me to task on far smaller margins.

This list of players 6'6" or taller http://www.sportingcharts...t-players-in-the-nhl.aspx

Shows that a forward that tall who is offensively skilled and not a goon is incredibly rare, so my statement actually does stand up to scrutiny.

Hanzel has 2 inches and 20 pounds on guys like Getzlaf and Stall. Antropov is a good comparison, but I'd say the same thing about the rarity of his size/skillset too. Actually Antropov is a good comparison in another way - he was so tall that he was beset by knee and back injuries for much of his career and his best year ended up coming when he was 29 and picked up 67 points in 76 games, close to the point per game player everyone always though he could have been.

Those two guys are actually a great comparison - huge, skilled, injured, tantalizing and leaving you wanting more. If you check it out, their careers mirror each other pretty closely. Antropov put up his first 50+ point season in his 9th year, I am sure long after anyone thought it was possible. If Hanzal picks up 67 points in this, his seventh year, I think we'll all be happy.
- James_Tanner

Bjugstad is also 22 years old, Hanzal is 27.
Is first full pro season Bjugstad put up those numbers, Hanzal put up 20 points in 74 games at the same age during his second full pro season.

You totally missed the point regarding all of that, since you didnt say that Hanzal in your opinion has the most unique skill set for 6'6 guy to ever play the game. For a big man yes he does have a offensive side to him that you rarely see. Hwever you are once implying your opinon as accepted hockey fact, which just opens you up to be scrutinize again.

The way you packaged Hanzal, it comes off as fact. But you always talk about young guys taking the next step to being more dynamic, so a 5 year younger Bjugstad wont improve any further, hitting 50 points perhaps? You cant claim on thing regarding your teams players and dicredit the youth factor when it applies to other players and teams.

The thing about Hanzal is that he may be 27, but (possibly due to his size)his development has been hurt by constant injuries. If he can remain healthy and take advantage of the opportunity that exists for him this year, maybe he can capitalize on it.

I think too often we follow these narratives that determine how a players career trajectory goes - like if he hasnt done this by this age he isn't ever going to -
and yes, I do realize that those things exists because they are generalizations, but there are exceptions to every rule.

In the last 5 years, the Blue Jays have had Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnation go from bench players /4A-ball players into superstars who are probably top 5/10 hitters in the MLB. They both did it after age 27 when conventional wisdom said they were washed up post-hype players who should be happy to just get a MLB paycheck.

Now - Obviously - these are not guys who are going to be representative of a normal development curve , they are both anomalies, but they should give people pause before they right a guy off just because he hasn't achieved his potential by a certain age.

I am not saying that Hanzal is going to suddenly be a great player, but it is possible.
- James_Tanner

Agreed, he could have been hampered by injuries and I'm a big Hanzal fan to be honest. But your logic isn't very sound...

Most NHLers (especially forwards) are in the NHL around 20 or earlier and hit their prime when they're 25ish.

I'm not sure if you're aware, but Bautista and Edwing play baseball... Much different beast in terms of development. Most players crack the big league lineup when they're around 22-23. Then it typically takes them another 4-5 years to hit their prime. Most All-Stars are pretty much 30. So yes they were slightly slower in developing, but not comparable to Hanzal who is over 30 in "baseball years".

Bjugstad got 2 less points than Hanzal in 11 less games and you have taken me to task on far smaller margins.

This list of players 6'6" or taller http://www.sportingcharts...t-players-in-the-nhl.aspx

Shows that a forward that tall who is offensively skilled and not a goon is incredibly rare, so my statement actually does stand up to scrutiny.

Hanzel has 2 inches and 20 pounds on guys like Getzlaf and Stall. Antropov is a good comparison, but I'd say the same thing about the rarity of his size/skillset too. Actually Antropov is a good comparison in another way - he was so tall that he was beset by knee and back injuries for much of his career and his best year ended up coming when he was 29 and picked up 67 points in 76 games, close to the point per game player everyone always though he could have been.

Those two guys are actually a great comparison - huge, skilled, injured, tantalizing and leaving you wanting more. If you check it out, their careers mirror each other pretty closely. Antropov put up his first 50+ point season in his 9th year, I am sure long after anyone thought it was possible. If Hanzal picks up 67 points in this, his seventh year, I think we'll all be happy.
- James_Tanner

He had 67 points once... Not sure if I'd qualify that as "breaking out". His next is 56 and then it drops off considerably from there with a couple 40pt seasons peppered in. All in all, not that great of a comparison if you're trying to pump Hanzal's tires.

I would love if the Oilers could somehow acquire Hanzal from the Coyotes. Wonder how much that would cost.

It's up there for sure.

STL,
Bos
MTL

Come to mind

and of course,

Chi
Nsh
- WaterBoy

Doughty and Slava Voynov are a pretty potent pairing as well.

Bjugstad is also 22 years old, Hanzal is 27.
Is first full pro season Bjugstad put up those numbers, Hanzal put up 20 points in 74 games at the same age during his second full pro season.

You totally missed the point regarding all of that, since you didnt say that Hanzal in your opinion has the most unique skill set for 6'6 guy to ever play the game. For a big man yes he does have a offensive side to him that you rarely see. Hwever you are once implying your opinon as accepted hockey fact, which just opens you up to be scrutinize again.

The way you packaged Hanzal, it comes off as fact. But you always talk about young guys taking the next step to being more dynamic, so a 5 year younger Bjugstad wont improve any further, hitting 50 points perhaps? You cant claim on thing regarding your teams players and dicredit the youth factor when it applies to other players and teams.
- DDM-Coga

You are the king of spurious logic and putting words into people's mouth. Whatever you said, sure, go with it.

Agreed, he could have been hampered by injuries and I'm a big Hanzal fan to be honest. But your logic isn't very sound...

Most NHLers (especially forwards) are in the NHL around 20 or earlier and hit their prime when they're 25ish.

I'm not sure if you're aware, but Bautista and Edwing play baseball... Much different beast in terms of development. Most players crack the big league lineup when they're around 22-23. Then it typically takes them another 4-5 years to hit their prime. Most All-Stars are pretty much 30. So yes they were slightly slower in developing, but not comparable to Hanzal who is over 30 in "baseball years".
- NugentHallberle

I think you missed point. And for a baseball player to go from benchwarmer to super star at the age of 27 is rare in both sports. I am only raising the point that not every player follows the accepted narrative.

Martin Hanzal is Michal Handzus.

So.....what's up with Yandle practicing with the bruins during there captains practices?

http://bigbadblog.weei.co...begin-captains-practices/

If you guys don't want him maybe we can work something out.


Never mind.....we have less than zero cap space.

He had 67 points once... Not sure if I'd qualify that as "breaking out". His next is 56 and then it drops off considerably from there with a couple 40pt seasons peppered in. All in all, not that great of a comparison if you're trying to pump Hanzal's tires.
- NugentHallberle

I am not pumping anyone's tires. Just making a comparison of two of the only guys in NHL history who are 6'6 and forwards who can score.

Antropov's 67 points in 75 games or whatever is almost a ppg and way better than anything he ever did, to that point. And it happened because for once, he managed a healthy season.

Hanzal has a lot of injury problems too and like Antropov, I am pretty sure they've mostly been knee and back. My point is only that if Hanzal pots 67 points that'll be great and that who knows, given his size and skill set, like Antorpov, there is always going to be that potential to have a crazy season if everything goes right.

So.....what's up with Yandle practicing with the bruins during there captains practices?

http://bigbadblog.weei.co...begin-captains-practices/

If you guys don't want him maybe we can work something out.


Never mind.....we have less than zero cap space.
- JIwasinskiJr

If I am not mistaken, it's only no cap space by a technicality in that once the season starts Savard goes on long term IR and his 4 mill comes off the cap. I am sure if the Bruins want to send us David Krecji we can take some salary and send them Yandle.

The thing about Hanzal is that he may be 27, but (possibly due to his size)his development has been hurt by constant injuries. If he can remain healthy and take advantage of the opportunity that exists for him this year, maybe he can capitalize on it.

I think too often we follow these narratives that determine how a players career trajectory goes - like if he hasnt done this by this age he isn't ever going to -
and yes, I do realize that those things exists because they are generalizations, but there are exceptions to every rule.

In the last 5 years, the Blue Jays have had Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnation go from bench players /4A-ball players into superstars who are probably top 5/10 hitters in the MLB. They both did it after age 27 when conventional wisdom said they were washed up post-hype players who should be happy to just get a MLB paycheck.

Now - Obviously - these are not guys who are going to be representative of a normal development curve , they are both anomalies, but they should give people pause before they right a guy off just because he hasn't achieved his potential by a certain age.

I am not saying that Hanzal is going to suddenly be a great player, but it is possible.
- James_Tanner

Except that baseball players peak in their 30s (except for stolen bases) and Edwin Encarnacion was a pretty good player with Cincinnati before injuries got to him and Bautista is probably juicing. But other than that, you've done a great job comparing apples to oranges.

You are the king of spurious logic and putting words into people's mouth. Whatever you said, sure, go with it.
- James_Tanner

I thought you wrote blogs based on Logic, so you agree with me for once instead of posting another long winded opinion based rant