FirstRowUpperDeck
Registered User
Exaggerate much? Their commonality is they all play at least top 6 minutes in the NHL. But, NHL level GM and coaches no nothing, but you do?
You guys talking about elite defensive d-men like Kris Russell and Alec Martinez (also Pietrangelo, Morrissey, Provorov, Weber, Spurgeon, Ellis, Edler, McDonagh), players actually focusing on playing defense. ;-)
The two the best shot blockers leaguewide over the last few seasons, Kris Russell and Alec Martinez are actually pretty good puck movers. Martinez in particular is a very skilled defender who's also a PP specialist. Looking at this season, other top shotblockers include guys like Pietrangelo, Morrissey, Provorov, Weber, Spurgeon, Ellis, Edler or McDonagh. To say that those aren't good players would be crazy. Shot blocking is a skill. You gotta learn it. Not everybody can do it effectively and without getting hurt.
Um What???????????????????????????????
That is the first time anyone has ever, in the history of anything, referred to Kris Russell as elite anything... And most certainly does not belong with the group of players named immediately after.
He sucks
Well, I kind of agree on the Russell being over paid. While he has led the league (or nearly so) in shot blocks and can skate, I think how he has bounced around is indicative that despite those strengths, his game is lacking somewhat. I doubt many GM's make that deal, but EDM was in need of any D men, even if just filling some space.
Hitch challenged all his players, including forwards to ramp up the shot blocking, so yes, I think that is a skill that is required to play at least old time hockey! Maybe with Ruff's system, not so much, but with most coaches, they like it.
Exaggerate much? Their commonality is they all play at least top 6 minutes in the NHL. But, NHL level GM and coaches no nothing, but you do?
Yes, I think it does. It's not like PIT and COL didn't have a bevy of prospects and/or UFA to choose from. Coaches aren't idiots and play who they think will help them win. Nemeth is what, plus 11 on a below average D?
Granted, Oleksiak was seen by PIT as a project, but seems to be playing fine (from what I have seen) under a new system.
If you or anyone wants to say JO or PN doesn't have a complete NHL skill set, with some facets below average, others above average, but none at superstar level, I would surely agree, because that is what the situation is. It's not that they bring "nothing to the table" just because they won't be the next Zubov, or maybe even Darian Hatcher.
Actually, I think Nemeth probably skates and puck handles better than Hatcher, because its a requirement in today's game to have some of those skills. The way the game has changed, I wonder if Hatch, Luds, etc. would even make it in today's NHL?
Nemeth is what, plus 11 on a below average D?
Satan,
I would love to see a concrete example or three of the "cesspool of nepotism" you say exists in the NHL. Otherwise, your last post is as much an exaggeration as the first one I responded to.
I suppose you could point to Jordie Benn, but that didn't last forever, and he was never as bad as Stars fans (who compare him to his brother) thought. In fact, Ruff kept trying to put him in the press box, but he played his way back in. And, after leaving, his minutes go up (again, second pair) while his stats went down a smidge, but Montreal loves him. Until it doesn't.......their fans are probably more over the top in all or nothing analysis than we are. One bad game, and he will "have nothing to offer" I'm sure.
I don't think there is much correlation between hiring ex team stars in management and putting young relatives on the ice when they don't belong. Heck, even Steven Gainey didn't get more than a few games when his Dad was GM. They might get a bit longer look, not unlike first round picks like JC and JO, but they flush out about when they would otherwise.
Also has to be said that Nemeth got 11 of his 85 blocks from a single game against Arizona. I think somebody must have been drunk there. I haven't watched the game but this cannot be true. Only Anaheim and Washington have fewer shots than Arizona and even as a fantasy player focussing on Blocks and Hits I've never seen a player get 11 shots.
Nemeth looked good for Dallas before his injury. He might have become a top 6 D-man for Dallas had he not been injured. Ruff and Patrick didn't do any favors towards the development, or for the confidence, of the young Dallas D-men over the past 4 years. If he had Hitch and Wilson while with Dallas, who knows. Nemeth had some ability though.Nemeth stats after 50 games
GP G A TP +/-
50 3 11 14 +26 best in team in plus/minus
2,8 blocked shots /game for a total of 140 (best in the team)
0.28 points/game
TOI avg = 19:27 third highest def ice time in the team
I think he is slowly but surely coming to be a real stay-at-home def for long time.
Nemeth looked good for Dallas before his injury. He might have become a top 6 D-man for Dallas had he not been injured. Ruff and Patrick didn't do any favors towards the development, or for the confidence, of the young Dallas D-men over the past 4 years. If he had Hitch and Wilson while with Dallas, who knows. Nemeth had some ability though.
As for Oleksiak, he's a borderline NHL player. The Erskine comparison is spot on. Oleksiak just doesn't have it upstairs. He can fight, hit a little, and spin around or be completely out of position about 12 times a game. He just doesn't bring much to the table. He's very flawed. I really enjoyed playing Pittsburgh seeing Oleksiak on the ice. I bet his opponents think the same thing. I wouldn't trade the 4th rounder back to Pittsburgh for him if offered. Dallas has been much better without him. I imagine Pittsburgh would be as well.