Tlusty and Harrison

[My Special Purpose]

Seriously not trolling Leafs fans here -- at least, that's not my main goal -- but I don't think there have been two more consistent players on the Canes this season.

We've taken turns bashing Gleason, Corvo, McBain, Sanguinetti and even Faulk a little bit, and Pitkanen can't seem to get on the ice, but Harrison has been there, every day, every game, being Jay Harrison. He's a minus-4 somehow (maybe due to matchups?), but he's been chipping in offensively and defensively and he seems to have solidified himself in the top 4 on defense.

And I'm not sure what else can be said about Tlusty. Does he benefit from playing with Semin and Eric Staal? Of course he does. But others have been put in similar positions and haven't produced at all, in some cases. Tlusty is fundamentally incredible, goes to the net with his stick on the ice, gets open, backchecks ... essentially, everything you can ask for out of a player.

And I guess we owe a tip of the hat to former-coach-for-life Paul Maurice for dragging these guys with him from Toronto. I don't mind giving the guy credit, as long as he's never employed by the team ever again.

Click to read more...

 

[Datsyuk Prospect]

Harrison is a great guy, you can just tell when they bring him on interviews in between periods. But I can't help but laugh at Burke for essentially giving us both of these "Castoffs" I feel secure when he's on the ice and plays pretty smart to be honest.

As far as Tlusty goes I can't help but thank Burke on that one.

 

[poobags]

Tlusty makes me think of a poor mans Loui Eriksson. Sneaky good and underrated.

 

[tarheelhockey]

I'm not going to say anything bad about Harrison, who is as solid as you can hope for given his career path and salary. I'm a fan of keeping him around as a solid building block who can play pretty much any situation with competence.

But still, he isn't exactly a great defenseman. He takes dumb penalties and makes his fair share of defensive mistakes, not to mention lacking offensive skill beyond "put the puck on net". He is in every way a bottom-pair defenseman, and I'm looking forward to the day that we have a fully developed D corps that would move him back to that position.

And I'm not saying that to rip on him... but let's be honest, he's maybe the 5th best blueliner in a very weak group. It's not really fair to compare him to a guy like Faulk, whose role he could never play.

Edit: and yes, Tlusty is one of the better all-round forwards on the team. Both these guys have figured out what it takes to maximize their talents and have a career in the NHL. Both are smart players.

 

[geehaad]

At playing defense:

#1: Pitkanen
#2: Faulk (but gaining quickly)
#3: Harrison
#4: Gleason
#5: Corvo
#6: McBain
#7: Sangs

 

[AhoLottaLove]

At playing defense:

#1: Pitkanen
#2: Faulk (but gaining quickly)
#3: Harrison
#4: Gleason
#5: Corvo
#6: McBain
#7: Sangs

My list would be more like:
#1: Faulk
#2: Pitkanen
#3: Gleason
#4: Harrison
#5: McBain
#6: Corvo
#7: Sanguinetti

 

[the halleJOKEL]

1) Pitkanen
2) Faulk
3) Harrison
4) McBain
5) Gleason
6) Corvo
7) Sangs

 

[tarheelhockey]

Crazy how differently each member of a group of dedicated fans can evaluate the same players

1. Pitkanen
2. Faulk
3. Gleason

4. Harrison

5. McBain
6. Corvo

7. Sanguinetti

 

[Novacane]

I'll throw my list out there. Maybe I have Corvo so high because I am so blasted away at how he is at least looking competent. Although, it really was a toss-up between him and Harrison. I think the top 3 are pretty well locked in.

1) Pitkanen
2) Faulk
3) Gleason
4) Corvo
5) Harrison
6) McBain
7) Sanguinetti

 

[DaveG]

1 - Pitkanen
2 - Faulk

3 - Gleason

4 - Harrison
5 - McBain

6 - Corvo
7 - Sanguinetti

even if I have him at #6, Corvo's been a very pleasant surprise after an absolute **** start.

 

[My Special Purpose]

If I had to win a game tomorrow in order to keep breathing, and assuming all of our current d-men were healthy, I'd partner with:

1) Faulk
2) Pitkanen
3) Harrison
4) Corvo
5) Gleason
6) McBain
7) Sanguinetti

I just don't like Gleason's game. I think he missed his calling as a goalie. He's got no interest in tying guys up away from the puck, all he wants to do is sprawl all over the place trying to block stuff. I wouldn't choose to have him on my team, but alas, it's not my choice.

But the point is, of all the lists on this page, only one person has Harrison lower than No. 4, and they said they considered Corvo/Harrison a wash at No. 4. Never for a minute did I think Jay Harrison would be a consensus top four d-man on this team, and Jiri Tlusty a consensus first-line left wing.

 

[StormCast]

Harrison is a great guy, you can just tell when they bring him on interviews in between periods.

He was on 95x the other day, during a segment called the Power Play, and the guy's knowledge of music was pretty impressive too. Know I better understand why he was the overwhelming choice by his teammates to be the guy most likely to be on Jeopardy.

 

[DaleCooper]

Jay Harrison... Always a cerebral interview.

 

[bb99]

If you don't like Jay Harrison...you don't like bacon.

 

[Sasha Cares]

If you don't like Jay Harrison...you don't like bacon.

you called

 

[tomdundo]

Three of Tlusty's goals were empty-netters. They are therefore illegitimate goals.

 

[My Special Purpose]

This stuff makes me well up ...

http://insider.espn.go.com/nhl/stor...ower-rankings-anaheim-ryan-getzlaf-rises-no-5

If you don't have ESPN Insider, here's the gist. Hockey Prospectus provides "Player Power Rankings for the top 10 skaters and top five goalies in the NHL based on HP's proprietary value metric, GVT, a statistic that combines player contributions in all aspects of the game, including defense and the shootout."

http://www.hockeyprospectus.com/unfiltered/?p=70

Eric Staal is No. 2 (12.0 GVT, behind Crosby's 14.8). Tlusty comes in at No. 9 (9.7 GVT).

Also, the Canes are No. 9 in the Power Rankings.

 

[What the Faulk]

People still pay for ESPN Insider?

 

[Chrispy]

People still pay for ESPN Insider?

I was able to get a 5 year deal on ESPN The Magazine with Insider for $5 total a couple of years ago. At that price, it's worth it.

 

[My Special Purpose]

People still pay for ESPN Insider?

It comes with a subscription to the magazine, and if you are patient, there are one or two times a year you can get the mag for something like $4 a year. Then once you have the mag, there are one or two times a year you can add a year for $1. I think I've had the mag plus insider for three years and it's yet to cost me $10 total. My son (he's 7) enjoys the mag and I enjoy being able to click on any link on ESPN.com without wondering if I'm going to get to read the full story.

And if you want to put in a little minimal effort, you can get ESPN the Mag for free following the details here: http://slickdeals.net/f/5501568-Fre...-s-Fitness-PC-World-Shape-and-Wine-Spectator?

 

[bb99]

you called

No surprise there! You don't like anything that doesn't involve you and Big Ben jammed in a bathroom stall with him wearing your uniform and you his.

How can you not like him? He does a fine job at what he is asked to do. He even fills in decently when injuries have happened above him. No matter the mocks, he seems to be very intelligent and actually decent to hear in an interview. Seems to play to his best every game and does chip in from time to time and has been known to stand up for himself and a team mate. He just seems like the dude that goes to work and cares, shows some heart, then would have a beer with you afterwards and I appreciate those types.

 

[Sasha Cares]

I like Jay Harrison. You completely missed the joke. I was responding to the Bacon comment.

 

[bb99]

I like Jay Harrison. You completely missed the joke. I was responding to the Bacon comment.

hahaha, oooooo. pwnt.

 

[Razputyn]

He was on 95x the other day, during a segment called the Power Play, and the guy's knowledge of music was pretty impressive too. Know I better understand why he was the overwhelming choice by his teammates to be the guy most likely to be on Jeopardy.

What are his favorite forms of music?

I'm rearin' to love me some Harrison. With a last name of Bacon, I'm basically FORCED to love him.

 

[rocky7]

Tlusty has proven to be a finisher, a goal scorer. IMO, he has that chemistry with Semin. He knows were to go and anticipates very well. The results are in on him.