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"You're a boring old man"
Some really fantastic picks coming off the board right now. Haven't seen a single one that I haven't liked.
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
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
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....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.
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
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.
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).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.
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.
Skating was a big part of why I wanted him too to use in Gorman's system.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.
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.
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.
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.
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
You're getting into a time machine one year into the future and going into Pat Maroon's house?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.
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.
He's been underrated around here for a long time.