Aho vs. Bolduc
- Thread starter Disgraced Cosmonaut
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PK Cronin
Bailey Fan Club Prez
- Feb 11, 2013
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Aho isn't nearly good enough offensively to make up for his poor defensive play. He needs to go.
That saying, we need a real puck moving D-Man who can skate like Leddy can... Neither Aho or Bolduc should be counted on next year of filling that role....
If you look at who is in front of him whenever he's on the ice, you'll understand why. He's put into a lot of defensive situations and not given the offensive advantages that Dobson was given.
He's improved the most out of any player this season. This means that he still has room to improve and learn more. His creativity is above average and he always hits the net. My only issue with him is he needs to HIT...god damn Swedes...so soft! I would ban Swedish meatballs from being served until all of the Swedes get their shit together.
Bolduc has played safe...he's not as fast as I thought he'd be, but so far not bad for a real young player. He needs another 2 years before he's ready for the big time.
I still see Salo as a better player than Aho, surely had something to do with contract flexibility.
He should be given a better shot, and I'm very high on Bolduc it was great seeing him rebound this year.
JKP
Registered User
I was pleasantly surprised with Aho by the end of the season compared to early on and previous years. It's clear getting some consistent reps helped him improve. If he can just stop falling down once or twice a game, he'd be fine in the 6/7 role.
Bolduc is a kid. And like all young D, he needs to marinate some more.
More curious with the org's thoughts on Salo and where they see him...
D take time. And ours are pretty young overall.
Bolduc is a kid. And like all young D, he needs to marinate some more.
More curious with the org's thoughts on Salo and where they see him...
D take time. And ours are pretty young overall.
PK Cronin
Bailey Fan Club Prez
- Feb 11, 2013
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I don't think he's creative at all. He's not doing anything creative, he plays a very vanilla offensive game. He tries to carry the puck down low and throw it at the net or walk the line and throw it at the net. That's not creative, that's just normal stuff from an offensive defenseman.
He cannot physically handle playing defense and is tossed around constantly. I don't care who is in front of him or what situations he's put in, he needs to be able to defend and not get knocked down repeatedly.
Glory Days
Registered User
I saw Bridgeport play a few times last season. I thought Bolduc and Salo were the best players on that team. I think the Islanders already had two young defenders in Dobson and Romanov so they didn’t want more youth on D. I’m hoping both get an opportunity next season. At least one should replace Aho.
Richie Daggers Crime
Boosted 9 times double masked they/them
I think there's this common idea that if player X is Y, then he must be Z. So, if Aho isn't good at defending or being physical, he must be good at offense and creating plays. You see this all the time. If player X is small, he must be fast. If player X is big, he must be physical.
doublechili
For all intensive purposes, your nuts
- Apr 11, 2006
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I think that might be at least part of the reason TOR fans say Engvall is so "soft". He's 6'5", 215lbs, they needed toughness, and that's not his game.
Dutch Frost
Battle Level
Both are AHL Journeymen who can be called up in a pinch to plug a hole for a game or 2. If you are relying on them for playoffs.. Lots of luck
Bolduc is hardly an AHL journeyman. He’s played a total of 137 games over 3 seasons. That’s a little more than a season and a half.
If anything, Samuel Bolduc is still a prospect.
I think what we learned from the Canes series is that Aho is useful situationally - he worked against a team like the Canes. Bolduc was not ready for them. But other than that I don't see any point to comparing Aho and Bolduc. Bolduc has had way less time to develop, part of that due to COVID rules. And he's also much younger.
Exactly. Pulock, Pelech, and Mayfield didnt earn a spot fulltime until they were 23 (25 for Mayfield). I think longterm Buldoc has top 4 upside. Aho at best is a bottom pairing defenseman thay can play on the 2nd pp. For next year its a tossup, beyond that give me Buldoc.
Aho truly is a power play specialist and not a full time top 6. Given how few teams dress 7 defensemen Aho would probably be better off in another system, one that doesn't need him playing below the D zone hash marks.
Sparksrus3
Registered User
- Jun 2, 2012
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Dobson had 49 points which puts him 5th on the team in scoring. He needs to stay.
The Real JT
No diving allowed
Feel free to make an argument that Dobson should be dealt. Many would disagree but it’s not a crazy premise based on this past season’s performance.
With that being said, merely comparing those 2 players salaries is baffling as an argument to deal Dobson.
It was good that Bolduc did a few nice things in his time on the Island. There were lots of pucks sent straight on goal and a few really nice pokechecks along the way. He showed that he's "closer" than may have been expected, especially in comparison to the 21-22 season.
He still needs reps and the in-game experience that builds situational awareness. I also hope they're getting him some type of speed skating schooling in the summer. He needs to be stronger in his straighaway movement and he can't simply rely on reach for his lateral challenges.
Aho has been a very patient soldier and finally got his shot. He battles. There's only so much he can do, but it's not for lack of effort that he sometimes fails and there were plenty of times where he simply was one of our better breakout players. He also draws more penalties than most. He's gutsy, but he is what he is. There's a spot somewhere in the NHL for him. There are worse Dmen out there getting as much, if not more ice time. But there have been plenty like him along the way who came and went. He's replaceable and upgradeable.
If Mayfield is not re-upped, then neither of these guys will be a legitimate #3 LHD option is Mayfield's replacement isn't at least as good as he is. That just won't be enough in light of the night-in, night-out competition in this conference.
He still needs reps and the in-game experience that builds situational awareness. I also hope they're getting him some type of speed skating schooling in the summer. He needs to be stronger in his straighaway movement and he can't simply rely on reach for his lateral challenges.
Aho has been a very patient soldier and finally got his shot. He battles. There's only so much he can do, but it's not for lack of effort that he sometimes fails and there were plenty of times where he simply was one of our better breakout players. He also draws more penalties than most. He's gutsy, but he is what he is. There's a spot somewhere in the NHL for him. There are worse Dmen out there getting as much, if not more ice time. But there have been plenty like him along the way who came and went. He's replaceable and upgradeable.
If Mayfield is not re-upped, then neither of these guys will be a legitimate #3 LHD option is Mayfield's replacement isn't at least as good as he is. That just won't be enough in light of the night-in, night-out competition in this conference.
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doublechili
For all intensive purposes, your nuts
- Apr 11, 2006
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Yeah, between the two players Bolduc has the advantage of size and youth (gotta figure higher upside). He fits the stereotype of the big D who takes some time - and a year ago he wasn't on a lot of people's radar. Aho is 27 and we're probably close to seeing all that he is. He moves the puck okay, but he's not a productive PP player.
Disgraced Cosmonaut
Registered User
Good thoughts from all sides. If we have to run the D back, then I’m ok with Bolduc manning a spot along Mayfield. I prefer his upside to Salo’s or Aho’s. He needs the reps but seemed to play a smart enough game for a young guy.
Ideally, Mayfield takes a deep discount and our 5/6 includes him and Romanov. I’d like Pelly or a high quality PMD biased, but all-around D man to play with Dobber (??)
Pulock and Adam or Pulock and (??).
Ideally, Mayfield takes a deep discount and our 5/6 includes him and Romanov. I’d like Pelly or a high quality PMD biased, but all-around D man to play with Dobber (??)
Pulock and Adam or Pulock and (??).
crashthenet
Registered User
Aho is a huge liability. I am at loss to understand what the coaching staff sees in him. Houda is brutal at managing the D so maybe that's part of it. Bolduc may be serviceable but I think Salo got screwed over. He seemed to possess a little more than either.
Skip To My Lou
Abused Fan
I am a big fan of Bolduc, but like someone said before in this thread; he's still a prospect. There were a lot of situations, where he still needs to get over mental hurdles, and increase his speed. Offensively, I'm not concerned. He's fine in that department.
For Aho, I was so down on him heading into the year. But my view has changed a bit. He needs a stout, defensive partner for him to be successful defensively. Him and Mayfield were the third best pair in expected goals against all season. That STUNNED me.
He's a useful player, but you need to know how to use him. Truthfully, I think he should be on the PP1 instead of Dobson. Put Dobber on PP2, and perhaps the powerplay gets slightly better.
For Aho, I was so down on him heading into the year. But my view has changed a bit. He needs a stout, defensive partner for him to be successful defensively. Him and Mayfield were the third best pair in expected goals against all season. That STUNNED me.
He's a useful player, but you need to know how to use him. Truthfully, I think he should be on the PP1 instead of Dobson. Put Dobber on PP2, and perhaps the powerplay gets slightly better.
