ATD 2022 Draft Thread II

[ImporterExporter]

Some really fantastic picks coming off the board right now. Haven't seen a single one that I haven't liked.

 

[VanIslander]

 

[Dreakmur]

Orillia selects a bit of a wildcard to start our 3rd pair. He was gigantic for his era played a zestfully physical game. He was known to be reliable defensively, but he was famous for his dynamic offensive play - Babe Pratt

 

[TheDevilMadeMe]

Orillia selects a bit of a wildcard to start our 3rd pair. He was gigantic for his era played a zestfully physical game. He was known to be reliable defensively, but he was famous for his dynamic offensive play - Babe Pratt

I'm uncertain as to whether he was good defensively and offensively at the same time. Good pick regardless. I almost picked him yesterday.

 

[ImporterExporter]

Orillia selects a bit of a wildcard to start our 3rd pair. He was gigantic for his era played a zestfully physical game. He was known to be reliable defensively, but he was famous for his dynamic offensive play - Babe Pratt

Arguably the top blueliner left at this point. Very sound pick!

 

[VanIslander]

...He was known to be reliable defensively, but he was famous for his dynamic offensive play - Babe Pratt

He was not defense first, contrary to his coach's philosophy of being careful, and when asked about why he let the rushing dman go do his thing, the coach said that when you have a talent like that, you don't stop it. This is probably similar to how Bowman never asked Lemieux to play his system: he built around him.

 

[nabby12]

I'll take someone I've recently written about to close out my final D pairing...Bullet Joe Simpson

Check out his life story here: The Legend Of Bullet Joe Simpson

 

[Dreakmur]

I'm uncertain as to whether he was good defensively and offensively at the same time. Good pick regardless. I almost picked him yesterday.

I took it from your Bio!

Even so, I'm not trying to sell him as some defensive stalwart. I think he's good enough to say he won't be a liability.

 

[BenchBrawl]

Orillia selects a bit of a wildcard to start our 3rd pair. He was gigantic for his era played a zestfully physical game. He was known to be reliable defensively, but he was famous for his dynamic offensive play - Babe Pratt

The early Rob Blake

 

[BenchBrawl]

Roanoke selects

Ralph Backstrom, C

C1958 used to say that Ralph Backstrom was the third most important player of the Montreal 1960's dynasty. Always thought that was an interesting take.

 

[Dreakmur]

C1958 used to say that Ralph Backstrom was the third most important player of the Montreal 1960's dynasty. Always thought that was an interesting take.

Reading up on Toe Blake, he put a lot of responsibility on those centres. He seems to have been the first coach to have them play the current style of "working all 4 corners".

 

[Johnny Engine]

C1958 used to say that Ralph Backstrom was the third most important player of the Montreal 1960's dynasty. Always thought that was an interesting take.

He was real big on guys who stuck around for full careers, from an apprenticeship-type role, to a core contributer, to a leader/mentor. That's at least a part of it. (And yes, Backstrom retired a New England Whaler, but 12 full seasons, 15 in total is plenty long enough to call a full career arc).

 

[tabness]

C1958 used to say that Ralph Backstrom was the third most important player of the Montreal 1960's dynasty. Always thought that was an interesting take.

His even strength numbers are great, and like some other unheralded Habs, when he got his shot, he certainly took it in 1961-1962 (from what I've seen I'm always higher on the "little guys" of those Montreal teams and lower on the big names).

A perfect bottom six player in this sort of thing, clearly accepted a lesser role, although talented enough to take a bigger one if need be. Before I drafted him last year, I was watching a bit of Backstrom against Espo, and he did a wonderful job on him, great skater.

 

[The Macho King]

His even strength numbers are great, and like some other unheralded Habs, when he got his shot, he certainly took it in 1961-1962 (from what I've seen I'm always higher on the "little guys" of those Montreal teams and lower on the big names).

A perfect bottom six player in this sort of thing, clearly accepted a lesser role, although talented enough to take a bigger one if need be. Before I drafted him last year, I was watching a bit of Backstrom against Espo, and he did a wonderful job on him, great skater.

Skating was a big part of why I wanted him too to use in Gorman's system.

 

[BenchBrawl]

Reading up on Toe Blake, he put a lot of responsibility on those centres. He seems to have been the first coach to have them play the current style of "working all 4 corners".

He was real big on guys who stuck around for full careers, from an apprenticeship-type role, to a core contributer, to a leader/mentor. That's at least a part of it. (And yes, Backstrom retired a New England Whaler, but 12 full seasons, 15 in total is plenty long enough to call a full career arc).

His even strength numbers are great, and like some other unheralded Habs, when he got his shot, he certainly took it in 1961-1962 (from what I've seen I'm always higher on the "little guys" of those Montreal teams and lower on the big names).

A perfect bottom six player in this sort of thing, clearly accepted a lesser role, although talented enough to take a bigger one if need be. Before I drafted him last year, I was watching a bit of Backstrom against Espo, and he did a wonderful job on him, great skater.

Skating was a big part of why I wanted him too to use in Gorman's system.

When asked who was the 3rd best player of the 1960's dynasty, his answer:

Very easy answer. The third center, Ralph Backstrom, who assured continuity when Beliveau and Richard were hurt, could check Phil Esposito while providing offence.

All three centers were the defensive core of the team.

 

[VanIslander]

Chemistry is important.

Re-united in Milwaukee are longtime duos Joliat-Morenz, Lehtinen-Selanne and now the premier checking line and penalty-killing duo Ramsey-Luce:

 

[tony d]

I looked at Ralph Backstrom as well, got conflicting reports on if he was a defensive player.

 

[nabby12]

I am visiting the trophy room of a four-time Stanley Cup winner this afternoon.

There will be a gift to the person who guesses the correct player.

 

[BenchBrawl]

I am visiting the trophy room of a four-time Stanley Cup winner this afternoon.

There will be a gift to the person who guesses the correct player.

Dave Keon?

 

[ImporterExporter]

@ResilientBeast @Johnny Engine

If one of you is around and wants to open up the third draft thread, I'll get the draft picks updated and we can lock this one out.

Thanks!

 

[TheDevilMadeMe]

I'll take someone I've recently written about to close out my final D pairing...Bullet Joe Simpson

Check out his life story here: The Legend Of Bullet Joe Simpson

He's been underrated around here for a long time.

 

[nabby12]

Dave Keon?

Close, but no.

 

[The Macho King]

I am visiting the trophy room of a four-time Stanley Cup winner this afternoon.

There will be a gift to the person who guesses the correct player.

You're getting into a time machine one year into the future and going into Pat Maroon's house?

 

[Professor What]

I am visiting the trophy room of a four-time Stanley Cup winner this afternoon.

There will be a gift to the person who guesses the correct player.

Tim Horton

 

[nabby12]

He's been underrated around here for a long time.

Yeah since I've been doing these, I thought it was really weird why he goes so low.

This is someone that Newsy Lalonde once called the greatest living hockey player.