He dominated because of his mobility given his size. There have been plenty of bigger men, but size alone doesn't mean being a good player. The same is true for hockey
- willschulme

Right. They can't read so they think I'm saying that all players should be short when what I'm actually saying is that they shouldn't factor height at all. If a guy is 5'10" or 6'1" and equally skilled it doesn't really make a difference so we shouldn't just say one is better because he is 3 inches taller, which isn't even a huge height differential.

Height correlates to being in the NHL because there are very few players under 5'10" playing but also very few players above 6'3". But I think to just say that you should always just want the bigger player in the vacuum of equal skills is to just care about something meaningless. I'm not sure why this is so hard for them to understand.

CardiffGiant,

I didn't quote your post, because it was so long, but you make some very good points.

The coaching: Hynes constantly putting certain guys in the doghouse (Zacha, Bratt) yet continuosly running out other guys (Wood, Hayden, Rooney) is infuriating. Who turns the puck over more, and takes more dumb penalties than Wood. Yet he hasn't been scratched once this year. No one has fewer points per game than Rooney and Hayden. Those two should never play over Zacha and Bratt. In fact, Bastian fills Hayden's role better in every facet. I don't understand why Quennevile got such little opportunity, yet Hynes for some reason loves Hayden, who is a lesser version of Quenneville, and a much lesser version of Bastian. They rightly let Quenneville walk, but gave a 1-way contract to a worse player? Makes no sense.

The System: We haven't seen the Fast and Attacking part of the sytem this year. They've been the opposite of attacking. Hard to be fast and attacking when you can't exit the zone. Also the # of turnovers have been outrageous. I also am sick of the tactic they use on the power play of skating the puck out of their end then passing it backwards to a trailer. It hasn't been successful and defies logic. The system (if they even have one) is atrocious.

The scouting: Here's where I disagree. I think they do have a good system in place. It's just years off. Their college players (Walsh, Thompson, Talvite, and even Moynahan) are having really good seasons. If they cannot sign Walsh, that will be a disaster. Bernard has been very good, so couple him with Smith and Walsh, and we may have three good young d-men coming up together. I can't fault Shero on the Zacha pick, because on draft day, all the experts were in agreement with that pick. Nobody was jumping up and down and killing all the other teams who passed on McAvoy. Werensky was there, but you can't fault a GM for picking a center with size, with the pick all other scouts had him slotted in. I do feel they have really hurt his development and at some point Shero could have, or should have told Hynes to work with the kid rather than treat his every mistake as a felony.

The GM: No reason not to fire Hynes after they lost to the Coyotes. There was still time to salvage the season, and there were five off days for the new coach to get to work. Loyalty is great, but this is loyalty to a fault.

You know I was joking, right?
- robvl22

yes

strength matters in hockey.. this is why players train to get stronger. Height doesn't mean much, but when it's accompanied by muscle on that frame, you have a more physically imposing player to go with whatever talent he has.

strength matters in hockey.. this is why players train to get stronger. Height doesn't mean much, but when it's accompanied by muscle on that frame, you have a more physically imposing player to go with whatever talent he has.
- MartysBetter88

Yes, but strength and height are different things. That's why you have Mueller who is as soft as baby poop and 6'3".

Just to chime in on what devilish was proposing, if where going by science, a shorter guy with equal strength to a taller guy would be stronger on the puck due to having a lower sense of gravity.

I.E The higher the center of gravity, the more affect slight tilts to the part will cause it to topple.

Just to chime in on what devilish was proposing, if where going by science, a shorter guy with equal strength to a taller guy would be stronger on the puck due to having a lower sense of gravity.

I.E The higher the center of gravity, the more affect slight tilts to the part will cause it to topple.
- cu45161

right. I'm talking in more obvious cases of 5'8 180lbs vs 6'2 205lbs. All skill and talent being equal, I'm going with the bigger body.

would be neat to get Ekholm for Hall.. lol

would be neat to get Ekholm for Hall.. lol
- MartysBetter88

Podkolzin in Vancouver?

@ChrisRyan_NJ
BREAKING: The Devils are expected to fire John Hynes and name Alain Nasreddine as interim head coach, according to a source

Well, it can't get any worse...

Well, it can't get any worse...
- Pomegrant

That is worse. Nas may be the only dude in the NHL who I prefer less than Hynes

With our luck Hynes will be Fired and Nas promoted lol
- Devilish4

Good call. NJ.com reporting this.

https://www.nj.com/devils...-hynes-what-it-means.html

That is worse. Nas may be the only dude in the NHL who I prefer less than Hynes
- willschulme

Nas is going to get fired soon too, don't worry. This is just to prevent the fans from booing Hynes at another home game.

Well, it can't get any worse...
- Pomegrant

So we fire Haynes and promote the guy who runs the god-awful power play. Can't make this up.... that whole staff needs to be replaced. I get it, not enough time to get a new coach. This is pathetic!!!

Just living in fantasy land for a second here, but imagine a worlkd where Vancouver traded Quinn Hughes for Hall. We could get a stud defenseman and insurance that Jack would sign long term beyond his ELC. Probably a pipe dream, but I would love to see it.

Just living in fantasy land for a second here, but imagine a worlkd where Vancouver traded Quinn Hughes for Hall. We could get a stud defenseman and insurance that Jack would sign long term beyond his ELC. Probably a pipe dream, but I would love to see it.
- robvl22

Yeah would be nice, but I can't imagine Vancouver is in win now mode.

Are you (frank)ing kidding me?

Nesreddine blows. This is bullpoop.

The ship has been sinking all season and we promote the first mate to take over for the captain. I (frank)ing hate this team.

The D is probably the single biggest disaster on this team and we put that guy in charge? Horrible. Just Horrible.

Just living in fantasy land for a second here, but imagine a worlkd where Vancouver traded Quinn Hughes for Hall. We could get a stud defenseman and insurance that Jack would sign long term beyond his ELC. Probably a pipe dream, but I would love to see it.
- robvl22

No way we are getting a player of that caliber in the Hall trade. I think the absolute best-case-scenario (still likely not going to happen) would be Byram from Colorado or Caufield from Montreal.

24-48 hours..Christmas may come earlier then we thought

Not excited about Nas but I get it...it's clearly short term. They aren't hiring their next long-term coach right now. Who is available? Would make no sense, they'll hire their next coach in the summer.

Yeah would be nice, but I can't imagine Vancouver is in win now mode.
- willschulme

People are saying there is no way we get Bryam so I cant see us getting a young d man that is currently tearing the nhl up.

Not excited about Nas but I get it...it's clearly short term. They aren't hiring their next long-term coach right now. Who is available? Would make no sense, they'll hire their next coach in the summer.
- MannySilvers

exactly. the season is over. Im sure while Nas is coaching Shero is interviewing.

People are saying there is no way we get Bryam so I cant see us getting a young d man that is currently tearing the nhl up.
- Devilish4

I don't think the Byram prospect is as far fetched as people say, but money wise it's a little complex. It could very well be Timmins or Girard though.