GDT: 1/6/13: Norfolk Admirals@Charlotte Checkers - PNC Arena
- Thread starter Anton Babchuk
- Start date
the halleJOKEL
strong as brickwall
Good game. Came away pretty impressed with Boychuk and Dalpe. Amazing what confidence can do. Both looked a lot more poised when the puck was on their stick than at any point in the past couple of years, and they both were seeing the ice pretty well in all three zones, especially Boychuk. Dalpe's pass on the third goal was dirty. Wallace deserves a look on the third/fourth line. I think he would be a solid fit with Chad. Kind of disappointed that Sutter got tossed early because I heard he has been playing well this season thus far, but that hit was brutal. Late and high from behind. 5 and a game every time.
Would love to see more AHL games at the PNC, though. Was a good time.
Would love to see more AHL games at the PNC, though. Was a good time.
- Oct 31, 2007
- 39,242
- 41,237
Like I said, I have no problem with Boychuk's tools. His decision using those tools leaves a lot to be desired.
Yes, it's impressive that he can burn a defender or dangle his way past 1 or 2, but if he's dangled himself into a weak angle shot, it's not much use. He has a very "Staal" way to play, where he loves to take control and be "the guy".
Looks great when it works, but most of the time, it's just 1 player taking on 5 defenders. His decision-making needs work, but his speed and his hands looked close to NHL-ready.
Yes, it's impressive that he can burn a defender or dangle his way past 1 or 2, but if he's dangled himself into a weak angle shot, it's not much use. He has a very "Staal" way to play, where he loves to take control and be "the guy".
Looks great when it works, but most of the time, it's just 1 player taking on 5 defenders. His decision-making needs work, but his speed and his hands looked close to NHL-ready.
AntonFromAppState
Hurricaniac
Had a lot of fun at the game. My fiance and I bought tickets for our parents and siblings. I love the atmosphere of checkers games. Too bad Charlotte can't have this type of attendance consistently.
HisIceness
This is Hurricanes Hockey
Unfortunately when they do, they generally lose. Thankfully that wasn't the case today in front of a different home crowd.
Boom Boom Apathy
I am the Professor. Deal with it!
- Sep 6, 2006
- 48,361
- 97,942
Like I said, I disagree. I saw no issues with his decision making in this game. He was in the right spot in the defensive zone, he made good passes out of that zone, he made good passes in the neutral zone and created a lot of scoring chances for both him and others. And it wasn't just "dangling and a player going 1 on 5".
Based on the comments in this thread, most others seem to agree. Sounds like you had a pre-conceived notion and picked a few things to try and make your point. We obviously saw it differently.
I have no idea if he'll ever be a good NHL player and I'm not commenting on the quality of competition, but based on what I saw this game, he was one of the better forwards on the ice...both his skill set and his decision making.
Anton Babchuk
Registered User
If Zach Boychuk has questionable decision making when it comes to shot selection and yet has scored more goals than any Checkers forward in each of the last two seasons (including Jesus Dalpe), what does that say about the rest of the Checkers? Either they have even worse hockey sense or they can't generate scoring chances.
And I don't really see how any of the rest of the forwards would have an easier time translating offensive their skills to the NHL level. Dalpe can skate in a straight line and that's pretty much. Samson and Terry are like a million other jack-of-all-trades, master-of-none, boring AHL players who are totally useless in the NHL.
And I don't really see how any of the rest of the forwards would have an easier time translating offensive their skills to the NHL level. Dalpe can skate in a straight line and that's pretty much. Samson and Terry are like a million other jack-of-all-trades, master-of-none, boring AHL players who are totally useless in the NHL.
bb99
Registered User
Myself and a couple friends went. Grilled, boozed, little fire to help keep warm and hockey. I was to the point of digging the xbox out just to see a puck. Good time!
Boychuk and Dalpe def stood out to me. Looking good! Ready for the big boys to hit the ice now.
Boychuk and Dalpe def stood out to me. Looking good! Ready for the big boys to hit the ice now.
Anton Babchuk
Registered User
- Oct 31, 2007
- 39,242
- 41,237
And you're welcome to disagree. I'm not trying (nor do I need to) justify my observations to you.
He made some poor decisions with the puck, especially with shot selection. It's not pre-conceived notions, it's a fact. It's great that he was getting those chances in the first place, and in fact, that's what I loved about his game in this match. He created a lot of chances. It was his execution when he got those chances that left a lot to be desired. If he wants to be a NHL Top 6er (which I imagine is still the case, since I don't believe we'll be changing the 3rd/4th lines too much), his finish has to be better or he's got to start using his linemates more.
Now, if he wants to be an energy guy, his finish isn't so important and just creating those chances is enough. But then he's also got to be more physical. Actually, the whole Checkers team needs to be more physical. They got manhandled in the first period, and obviously, that was the message in the first intermission, since they did much better in the 2nd and 3rd about ramping up their physical play. Might have just been the result of Sutter's early penalty though, sort of a "better safe than sorry" approach.
But since I'm a glutton for punishment, I've also got to add that Welsh didn't really stand out this game. I'm assuming he's had a better season for Charlotte than he showed this game, especially if we're expecting to pencil him into the 3rd line center role for the Canes.
He dominated the offensive boards single handedly on 2-3 shifts, and against a team that had been out-muscling his teammates. Like I said though, I was starting out with low expectations. I was happy with what he showed even if the scoring prowess isn't there.
tarheelhockey
Offside Review Specialist
It's crazy how two people can see the same game and come away with opposite impressions.
That, I would agree with. Welsh looks like any bottom-6 AHL player to me.
Boom Boom Apathy
I am the Professor. Deal with it!
- Sep 6, 2006
- 48,361
- 97,942
Wait, so you're not trying to justify your observations, but then you proceed to follow this sentence by trying to do exactly that?
But carry on, that's part of the fun of a message board. If we all agreed all the time, it would be boring around here. Anyhow, another observation about Boychuk. When he was up with the Canes in the past, it seemed he played very unsure and tentative a lot of the time. I could never tell if he was just afraid to make a mistake or if he really didn't have the hockey sense to play the NHL game the way he should and use his speed and skills to his advantage. For whatever reason, that's how he looked much of the time and might be part of the reason he was inconsistent. You'd see flashes of his skill, but more often than not, he'd look lost.
Seeing him with the Checkers, I don't see that at all. He looked confident and aggressive and used his skills to his advantage. If (and that's a big if) he can do that at the NHL level, I think he has a shot at being successful. Given the NHL game is much faster though, I don't know that he can, but based on his performance so far in Charlotte, I think he deserves an extended look.
Joe McGrath
Registered User
- Oct 29, 2009
- 18,168
- 38,261
Boom Boom Apathy
I am the Professor. Deal with it!
- Sep 6, 2006
- 48,361
- 97,942
If I had to guess now, especially with a shortened season where each game is even more important, I'd guess Jokinen...then he'll use a Checkers player or LaRose as the 2nd line winger.
Last edited:
- Oct 31, 2007
- 39,242
- 41,237
Now that, I agree with. He certainly played with more confidence than I've seen him play with before. I'm sure Maurice sticking him on the 4th line didn't do a lot to help his confidence.
Just one more comment about Boychuk, nothing to do with his play, but just an observation I didn't really notice until yesterday's game: He's short. Like, really short. They showed some segment/ad on the Jumbotron about some bounce house theme park or something, and he and Dalpe were "racing" two pre-teen girls through this bounce obstacle course. They lined up at the end, and Boychuk was barely taller than both of the racers. Worth a laugh.
tarheelhockey
Offside Review Specialist
That seems like just about the only option for putting an actual top-9'er in that position.
On the other hand, that would mean putting someone inadequate at a RW spot in the top-6. Kind of a crummy situation, really. We had a decent looking top-9 until Ruutu went down. Now we're back to a situation where a guy like Stewart or Dwyer might end up on a scoring line.
One of those forward prospects really needs to step up and take a spot.
garnetpalmetto
Jerkministrator
Boom Boom Apathy
I am the Professor. Deal with it!
- Sep 6, 2006
- 48,361
- 97,942
I agree and it seems like we've been saying that for the last 3 years. Although in fairness, I guess Skinner and Tlusty (to some degree) have done that.
Given the Canes already weren't willing to subject Bowman to Waivers at the start of the season, I think he's close to a shoe-in to at least have a spot on opening day )(probably 3rd line). I think there might only be 1 more spot available and that depends on what they do with STewart.
Tlusty-Staal-Semin
Skinner-JStaal - OPEN / LaRose
Bowman - Jokinen - Dwyer/LaRose
Nodl-Brent-LaRose/Dwyer
Stewart
tarheelhockey
Offside Review Specialist
That is dead-on exactly how I see the lines. That RW spot on the second line is just calling out for a guy like Boychuk to step up and have one of the easiest jobs on the team.
Anton Babchuk
Registered User
