Meh, his vision is questionable. If you ask Ducker, I spend way too much time with Habs fans not to see the guy's limitations. I really like Eller but he's best suited for a 3C role for the rest of his career.
- golfingsince

I agree with part of what you say, in that I can't see him as a set up man. He's more of a power-forward shoot-first type who can bulldoze his way through bodies and in the corners. That seems to be the game he plays but we'll have to see how things pan out. From everything I've heard/read and the times I've seen him play, he's been receiving good reviews (particularly after his great performance in the playoffs)

It's funny, just after I wrote that, I saw a summary of him when he was a prospect (all glowing reports) but which pointed out he had a lot of potential to be a great playmaker lol. Gotta love subjectivity, I suppose

I have to disagree. Have you watched him play recently? he was dynamite in the playoffs (17 5 8 13 ), which I think is the best example of what type of player you are getting And you could see he's finally using that big body to make room for himself and line-mates. There is no way he is regressing or has flattened out. I guarantee the next few years he'll really break out (if he gets that ice-time)
- Zogg

Bickell had a great playoffs a year ago as well.... doesn't make him a great player.

Eller's played 4 seasons now and is 25 years old. I personally thought he would be better by now.

I agree with part of what you say, in that I can't see him as a set up man. He's more of a power-forward shoot-first type who can bulldoze his way through bodies and in the corners. That seems to be the game he plays but we'll have to see how things pan out. From everything I've heard/read and the times I've seen him play, he's been receiving good reviews (particularly after his great performance in the playoffs)
- Zogg

He's solid at draws, but he rarely uses his frame. I'm pretty confident Horvat will become twice the player he is. Anyways, Horvat and Edler for Tinordi and Eller is gross overpayment IMO. Throwing in Burrows is ridiculous, especially when a team like ANA might be willing to overpay for him at a deadline considering his chemistry with Kesler and their cap space and his overall skillset.

Whereas Edler's cap hit may have seemed restrictive 12 months ago, it seems like a bargain already and will seem like a great deal in 2 years if he recovers his game whatsoever.

Bickell had a great playoffs a year ago as well.... doesn't make him a great player.

Eller's played 4 seasons now and is 25 years old. I personally thought he would be better by now.
- Mungo

Four seasons (considering his first year and a half was getting adjusted to the North American style of play) isn't that huge a sample size when you just turned 25. Moreover, it wasn't until 2011 that he started getting some decent ice-time. Bickell's been around since 2006 and is great at the Tim Kerr style of play - great net presence and good hands but not the greatest skater or playmaker.

As a bit of a sidenote, would you prefer a player that ups his game substantially in the play-offs or someone that has great regular season success but goes missing when the games count?

He's solid at draws, but he rarely uses his frame. I'm pretty confident Horvat will become twice the player he is. Anyways, Horvat and Edler for Tinordi and Eller is gross overpayment IMO. Throwing in Burrows is ridiculous, especially when a team like ANA might be willing to overpay for him at a deadline considering his chemistry with Kesler and their cap space and his overall skillset.

Whereas Edler's cap hit may have seemed restrictive 12 months ago, it seems like a bargain already and will seem like a great deal in 2 years if he recovers his game whatsoever.
- golfingsince

Oh, bear with me, I had no idea we were talking trade possibilities. I agree that Eller/Tinordi for Horvat and Edler would be fairly one-sided. And you also mention someone said throw in Burrows? I'll just leave that one alone lol

But back to Eller, I still feel he's top 6 material (perhaps moving him to the wing might be more beneficial in the long haul). I guess we'll have to wait and see

Oh, bear with me, I had no idea we were talking trade possibilities. I agree that Eller/Tinordi for Horvat and Edler would be fairly one-sided. And you also mention someone said throw in Burrows? I'll just leave that one alone lol

But back to Eller, I still feel he's top 6 material (perhaps moving him to the wing might be more beneficial in the long haul). I guess we'll have to wait and see
- Zogg

I guess Eller could still breakout, but I guess he's running out of time. I've always liked the guy's game but he really needs to start producing. I just think Horvat has as much potential and will become more than he is.

I guess Eller could still breakout, but I guess he's running out of time. I've always liked the guy's game but he really needs to start producing. I just think Horvat has as much potential and will become more than he is.
- golfingsince

It would be great if that's how things turned out . Keeping my fingers crosssed

And yes, Eller needs to show more consistency and build on that great play-off run. He also needs to stay healthy (has had quite a bit of bad luck with injuries which he's mostly played through but of course his game ultimately suffered as a result. Still, he's just entering those magical 26-29 break-out years, so we'll need to see if he can continue to improve his game

Four seasons (considering his first year and a half was getting adjusted to the North American style of play) isn't that huge a sample size when you just turned 25. Moreover, it wasn't until 2011 that he started getting some decent ice-time. Bickell's been around since 2006 and is great at the Tim Kerr style of play - great net presence and good hands but not the greatest skater or playmaker.

As a bit of a sidenote, would you prefer a player that ups his game substantially in the play-offs or someone that has great regular season success but goes missing when the games count?
- Zogg

he also played a full season in the AHL and 2 seasons in the swedish elite league. i think he's had enough time adjusting to playing against men and playing in NA. He's a valuable player no doubt about it. I just don't see him as comparable to guy like Horvat, which some peopel were throwing out there.

on your side note - of course i'd prefer a playoff performer, but to say that Eller is a proven playoff performer is a bit of a stretch at this point after just one good playoff.

It would be great if that's how things turned out . Keeping my fingers crosssed

And yes, Eller needs to show more consistency and build on that great play-off run. He also needs to stay healthy (has had quite a bit of bad luck with injuries which he's mostly played through but of course his game ultimately suffered as a result. Still, he's just entering those magical 26-29 break-out years, so we'll need to see if he can continue to improve his game
- Zogg

I think he'll be hard pressed to match his playoff production from this past season. However, he should be able to improve upon his regular season stats.

I think Tinordi skates and handles the puck better than Murray, but his total upside is as a shutdown D. Not saying we can't use him, but it's not like he's the 2nd coming of Pronger.
- golfingsince

I would take a solid shut down young Dman any day.

I would take a solid shut down young Dman any day.
- VANTEL

Hell man, if you think that was all that was asked of Edler for 18 minutes a night he couldn't handle it?

he also played a full season in the AHL and 2 seasons in the swedish elite league. i think he's had enough time adjusting to playing against men and playing in NA. He's a valuable player no doubt about it. I just don't see him as comparable to guy like Horvat, which some peopel were throwing out there.

on your side note - of course i'd prefer a playoff performer, but to say that Eller is a proven playoff performer is a bit of a stretch at this point after just one good playoff.
- Mungo

I agree that he's not a proven play-off performer (yet) but I really liked what I saw as well as the other times I've seen him play. I'm not quite sure how most Habs fans feel, but I would think most would have a positive viewpoint - at least at this particular time.

I think it's very early to start comparing Horvat to anyone at this point. He's a decent skater, with excellent two-way skills, and offensive potential. But it's going to take the proper development and patience until we see what we really have. As touched on (and to reiterate the obvious lol) I would love to see him have as much success as possible.

With respect to Eller, I guess we'll agree to disagree. I know the jury is still out on him until he comes up with a good campaign this coming season, but I've definitely liked what I've seen.

I agree that he's not a proven play-off performer (yet) but I really liked what I saw as well as the other times I've seen him play. I'm not quite sure how most Habs fans feel, but I would think most would have a positive viewpoint - at least at this particular time.

I think it's very early to start comparing Horvat to anyone at this point. He's a decent skater, with excellent two-way skills, and offensive potential. But it's going to take the proper development and patience until we see what we really have. As touched on, I would love to see him have as much success as possible.

With respect to Eller, I guess we'll agree to disagree. I know the jury is still out on him until he comes up with a good campaign this coming season, but I've definitely liked what I've seen.
- Zogg

I still like him a lot, just as a third liner.... and if he does move up you put him on the wing.... like you said he creates room for others. I just don't think he's got the puck distribution skills to be a #2. If I were Montreal i'd put him on LW on one of their top two lines to help balance their size with all the smurfs they have.

It's not nice if we're looking at a 9th place finish. I hope they sell at the TDL unless they shock the world and are looking like a decent bet to make the playoffs.
- Nucker101

The issue with all the loser points in this league is that almost every team looks like they "have a shot at the playoffs" at the TDL. If the Canucks are in the race for 8th, which they will be, Aquillini will not sanction a vet firesale.

How do you know that it's mid July? We are endlessly discussing whether or not Lars Eller is a 2LC or 3LC

Lord help us

How do you know that it's mid July? We are endlessly discussing whether or not Lars Eller is a 2LC or 3LC

Lord help us
- PetrolSexual

(frank) Lars Eller

Hell man, if you think that was all that was asked of Edler for 18 minutes a night he couldn't handle it?
- golfingsince

He hasn't yet

He hasn't yet
- VANTEL

He's asked to do much more, for far more minutes.

He's asked to do much more, for far more minutes.
- golfingsince

Bieksa is asked to do all things too, and he can play as an enforcer / tough guy. I have never seen Edler drop them yet.

Bieksa is asked to do all things too, and he can play as an enforcer / tough guy. I have never seen Edler drop them yet.
- VANTEL

That's all fine and dandy but you're comparing a guy that's asked to play top 2 minutes to a guy that has yet to crack an NHL roster. If you think Tinordi is guaranteed to make that jump it's one thing, if not it's one hell of a risk......especially when you consider the recent contracts handed out.

That's all fine and dandy but you're comparing a guy that's asked to play top 2 minutes to a guy that has yet to crack an NHL roster. If you think Tinordi is guaranteed to make that jump it's one thing, if not it's one hell of a risk......especially when you consider the recent contracts handed out.
- golfingsince

He is starting now to play on the Habs and he plays the enforcer. He is young and learning still.He will be an NHLer

He is starting now to play on the Habs and he plays the enforcer. He is young and learning still.He will be an NHLer
- VANTEL

The guy has had 5 NHL fights.....hardly an enforcer. His absolute upside is a top pairing defender if paired with an elite puck mover. He's most likely 2nd pairing. I'm not ready to trade away a certain top 4D and a possible 2C/3C for a 3C and a possible top 4D. Not to mention throwing in a utility player that gives his all every night.

That guy alone could fetch a very nice pick in next year's draft.

The guy has had 5 NHL fights.....hardly an enforcer. His absolute upside is a top pairing defender if paired with an elite puck mover. He's most likely 2nd pairing. I'm not ready to trade away a certain top 4D and a possible 2C/3C for a 3C and a possible top 4D. Not to mention throwing in a utility player that gives his all every night.

That guy alone could fetch a very nice pick in next year's draft.
- golfingsince

Who in Canucks prospect pool is better than him. Those 5 fights are five more than Edler has had in his entire career.

You have Edler who is a second pairing LHD at 28 and 5 mil per year who you are com pairing to a younger cheaper bigger 2 nd pairing D

Who in Canucks prospect pool is better than him. Those 5 fights are five more than Edler has had in his entire career.

You have Edler who is a second pairing LHD at 28 and 5 mil per year who you are com pairing to a younger cheaper bigger 2 nd pairing D
- VANTEL

I'll take the 28 year old D that has proven he can play at the NHL level and put up 40+ points. I never have been and never will be a fan of trading players while their value is low. A 5 million cap hit isn't that bad. Hell Stralman got 4.5 and recorded 12 points last year.

Also, I love the fact that my scotch glass has a little hat.