Opinions on Bouwmeester?

[PantherBlood6*]

When Bouwmeester was announced as Niedermayer's replacement -- there was alot of bickering on these forums about the decision. I ripped into alot of people here who were mostly speaking out of sheer ignorance. I haven't had the pleasure of watching Canada play yet -- so I really have no idea how Jay has played thus far and wanted to see how team Canada fans felt.

I don't want to turn this into another Phaneuf vs. Bouwmeester thread -- just being sincere and hope others can be objective as well. How do you think the kid has played? Impressed or disappointed with his play?

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[Phanuthier*]

I honestly think more people were wondering why McCabe was there then Bouwmeester.

Bouwmeester I don't have a problem with

 

[gbl1p]

I actually think Bouwmeester has looked fantastic. For someone who wasn't touted as highly physical, he hasn't been shy to muck it up and has the size to do it. Skates unreal and has had a few opportunities upon joining the rush. I like what I see!

 

[PantherBlood6*]

I actually think Bouwmeester has looked fantastic. For someone who wasn't touted as highly physical, he hasn't been shy to muck it up and has the size to do it. Skates unreal and has had a few opportunities upon joining the rush. I like what I see!

Jay has been developing a pretty nasty hip check -- he has "Rob Blaked" a few people this season. He's often the first one in a scrum now and even has a fight to his name and he did pretty well (although the guy he fought wasn't exactly an enforcer). His physical play has been one of the most improved aspects of his game for the Cats.

Joining the rush? He hasn't done much of that for us this year...he often lugs the puck up ice -- but usually takes the conservative route. Who is he paired with? Maybe that has something to do with it -- Sean Hill is atrocious (who has been his partner all year)

 

[NashisCash]

Bouw has been fantastic so far, and really looks dynamic on the ice. He's playing a pretty simple game. I'd like him to try and be more creative on the rush though. Overall he's playing a good solid very sound defensive game, and man is he fun to watch skate. Mccabe has sucked thus far IMO, especially on the powerplay, I really wish they would have put Boyle or Phaneuf on the team instead, I just know one of Mccabe's brain farts is going to cost us an important goal.

 

[BigE]

I agree with what's been said here, for the most part. He's been a pleasant surprise considering all of the negativity he's received over the last two years (his poor AHL year and people making light of his goal-less NHL season thus far).

McCabe has been weak, and surprising R.R. as well.

 

[Steve Latin*]

Would gladly give up the 1st / 2nd overall pick in this draft for JayBo. If he were on the Flyers, he'd be getting Ptikanen hype.

 

[arrbez]

I've been very pleased with Bouwmeester so far. Maybe I don't see him play as much as I'd like to...but if this is his regular level, he should have been on the team from the get-go.

McCabe has struggled, and isn't being used properly. It's obvious to everyone that he's basically on the team to play the PP, and yet he's not on the first unit. Even when we have a 2 mad advantage. I realize that Blake and Pronger are extremely capable PP players, but it makes me wonder why we brought McCabe at all. It seems like when he finally does get out there, he's too afraid to make a mistake to do anything, like he knows one screw up will get him benched forever.

So far I'd rank them:

Blake
Pronger
Bouwmeester
Redden
Foote
Regehr
McCabe

 

[Danny__K]

For me Bouwmeester is the only one not under performing at the Olympics right now. Blake and Pronger have been god awful quarterbacking the powerplay. HIT THE ****ING NET! Redden hasn't done much. Regher looks like he's a step off. Foote has been alright. McCabe has been absolutely brutal if he's not going to be PP specialist why is he there at all, since thats the argument everyone wanted to use in taking him.

 

[Vincent_TheGreat]

Bouwmeester has looked very good. Much more physical then he was coming out of Juniors. He moves so effortlessly, great stride, speed(he just eats up space, he can really handle the puck.

 

[Canuck21t]

I've been very pleased with Bouwmeester so far. Maybe I don't see him play as much as I'd like to...but if this is his regular level, he should have been on the team from the get-go.

Many people here were very much against the idea of J-Bo being on the team because he hasn't produced in the NHL. Some of us knew that he is the perfect match for international play, he has proven numerous times before but no, most people cared for were NHL stats.

I've been quite happy with J-Bo so far. Almost everytime he had the puck in the Canadian zone, he was able to make a long pass to a forward near the opposing line. He's been one of the best Canadian defenseman if not the best. He should have been named to the team from the get go along with Phaneuf.

 

[THE SOVIET*]

I think Bouwmeester has been one of the better defenders for Canada. He's probably had the best speed. I have been very un-impressed with McCabe and Regher, though.

 

[Liquidrage*]

Would gladly give up the 1st / 2nd overall pick in this draft for JayBo. If he were on the Flyers, he'd be getting Ptikanen hype.

Unplug your cable modem

 

[Milvesof Brown]

Jay Bouwmeester has vastly exceeded expectations. With Blake and Pronger injured hopefully Quinn has the wherewithall to step up JBo's ice time. Has not made one glaring mistake i can remember in the 180 minutes of hockey I have watched Canada play.

 

[hockeyfan125]

Dion Phaneuf should (and deserves) to be there. Holding someone back because of their age and not their talent is a joke.

He is good at both ends of the ice, and his hitting is an intangible that NO other defeseman on Canada brings. Blake and McCabe try their half-hip checks at times, Foote is more of a grinder than a big hitter, and Pronger is more positional these days.

having a huge, open ice threat would pay big dividends.

 

[Sykie]

I didn't saw this thread, I posted my impressions on the panthers boards.

Bouwmeester is rock solid defensivly. A defensive tower. Always in good position, great skating, very clam, suprisingly physical, the guy is a rock out there. The Bouwmeester I saw is exactly the Bouwmeester the Panthers fans are describing all season long.

I found his offensive game a little timid though. It's obvious Keenan has given Bouwmeester a "defensive-only" mentality, it's obvious he thinks about his defensive responsabilities first and foremost, as he doesn't take any risk out there offensivly speaking.

He still was one of the best canadian D, if not the best. When he'll round up his offensive game, he'll be the complete package, an absolute stud.

 

[boltsgirl41922]

I think Dan Boyle would have been a better choice, especially considering the lack of offense in yesterday's game

 

[Gags1288]

Would gladly give up the 1st / 2nd overall pick in this draft for JayBo. If he were on the Flyers, he'd be getting Ptikanen hype.

If he were scoring close to a PPG or even had a single goal this season, he may be getting Pitkanen like hype. Pitkanen has 3 fewer overtime game winners this season than Bouwmeester has NHL goals in 200 games. Make no mistake, Pitkanen deserves every bit of attention he gets. But this post should come as no surprise with your Flyers hatred being incredibly obvious.

 

[PantherBlood6*]

I didn't saw this thread, I posted my impressions on the panthers boards.

Bouwmeester is rock solid defensivly. A defensive tower. Always in good position, great skating, very clam, suprisingly physical, the guy is a rock out there. The Bouwmeester I saw is exactly the Bouwmeester the Panthers fans are describing all season long.

I found his offensive game a little timid though. It's obvious Keenan has given Bouwmeester a "defensive-only" mentality, it's obvious he thinks about his defensive responsabilities first and foremost, as he doesn't take any risk out there offensivly speaking

He still was one of the best canadian D, if not the best. When he'll round up his offensive game, he'll be the complete package, an absolute stud.

Well remember -- he does have 27 points for the fourth-worst offensive team in the NHL. He's on pace for about 40 points over a full season while playing the defense you just described with very little help around him. He's obviously not putting the puck in the net -- and exactly for the reasons you named. He doesn't take many chances, doesn't pinch in despite his great speed. I think it has more to do with the players around him than anything else -- Florida's defense is horrendous and he carries a tremendous responsibility. His partner (Hill) is easily our worst.

Thanks for the replies -- it's pretty much what I expected when he was named to the team. I hope to catch Canada's game later today and see Jay in action.

 

[Towelie*]

I think Dan Boyle would have been a better choice, especially considering the lack of offense in yesterday's game

Here, fixed. "I think Dan Boyle would have been a better choice because I am a Bolts fan"

 

[John Flyers Fan]

If he were on the Flyers, he'd be getting Ptikanen hype.

No he wouldn't, because he's not in the same league as Pitkanen offensively.

 

[mcphee]

I think he's been steady and just about flawless. His game seems so quiet right now, a bit of lateral movement to create some space, a good pass and you don't hear his name the rest of his shift. I think he'll be green lighted a little bit offensively in a year or so,not that he's gifted in that area. He'd be a huge difference maker on about 10 NHL teams right now.

 

[Rico__Persson*]

Boumesster is the real deal. He'll be an anchor for Cnada for the next 15 years.

You could see how much better he was then everyone else when he was at the WJC's a few years back. Thats usually a good indicator of what his NHL play will look like in 7 years, from that point.