PK Cronin
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- Feb 11, 2013
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His gap control is just top notch. It's impressive to watch.
Player Discussion: Adam Pelech
- Thread starter majormet
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His gap control is just top notch. It's impressive to watch.
The Winter Soldier
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- Apr 4, 2011
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I am going to compare Pelech to another Islander. One that you didn't appreciate perhaps as much when the Isles were winning cups, but looking back he was the quiet, underrated defender on those Cup dynasties. Ken Morrow. Pelech picked 65OA, Morrow 68OA. 2 terrific defensive D men that let their teammates shine, while they were quietly looking after the house.
PWJunior
Stay safe!
He's so rangy, he's a lot more mobile than most think. I hope this Achillies injury doesn't significantly impact his skating in a negative way. It may hurt his initial burst, but that was never a big part of his game. Hopefully the package of his length and smarts can compensate for any loss of explosiveness.
PWJunior
Stay safe!
I've made the comparison elsewhere, but I get heavy Vlasic vibes from Pelech. The old timers may remember Morrow, but the more contemporary comparison may make more sense to the youngsters on here. I actually don't remember Morrow all that well, the Jonsson reference is a lot more fresh for me as I saw so much more of him.
The Pelech-Pulock pairing is so reminiscent of Jonsson-Aucoin to me, it's kind of scary. Pulock wasn't the same without Pelech after the injury.
The Winter Soldier
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This is so true. Pulock was not as good without Pelech. Under Trotz they became the best shut down pair in the NHL last season. Morrow and Potvin were kind of like one Ying and Yan. Potvin was a great no doubt already before Morrow came into the league. But I am convinced Morrow allowed him to elevate his game even more. That's as good a Defensive pairing the Isles ever had. Yeah I am an oldie. I can recall those Islander dynasties when I was a fan of another team. It was a terrible feeling playing that team.
mm11
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as a 9-10-11, 12 year I thought the Isles would never lose. Looking forward to seeing Dobson playing a larger role whenever we see NHL hockey again.
The Winter Soldier
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Do you remember those Isles teams? As an opposing fan, when I saw a game @ nassau coliseum I would recall thinking well that will be a L in the boxscore the next day. I used to hate the Oilers, they were so cocky under Sather. I was so satisfied when the Isles beat them for their 4th cup. What a team, what a time.
mm11
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sure do and I was a wrecking ball John Tonelli the next day playing roller hockey...good times indeed
The Winter Soldier
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True team is what I recall. Tonelli, Nystrom, Bourne, Langevin, Sutter, Goring, Lane, heck I even remember Wayne Merrick? Every player was important on that team. Not just the stars.
YeS player comp. closer to Morrow then Jonson. I’m old enough to remember some of the dynasty days although tv coverage was limited in my area as no cable tv in my area until 1987. My dad would usually take me to 1-2 games a season. Bossy was the first Jersey I ever got. Islanders were not on much free tv back in the early 80s. Watched a lot of Mets baseball back then as they were on free tv a lot. Nowadays it’s just hockey and football lost interest in baseball.
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BelovedIsles
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Is there any chance he returns this season, he's going to have 4-5 extra months to rehab.
He's a gamechanger. Though a rested Greene will be quite useful as well.
He's a gamechanger. Though a rested Greene will be quite useful as well.
I think so too. his D was always strong, but I felt like his offense was really coming along.
going into PO's with 7 legit NHL D would be a nice option, especially with Boychuk and Greene a bit long in the tooth.
BelovedIsles
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If he returns, which looks like July would be the start of anything, he instantly changes this team's chances IMHO. He may have some rust, but his smarts are still intact.
mm11
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BelovedIsles
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YearlyLottery
The Pooch Report
I would not rush Pelech back in any way, shape, or form. This is a crapshoot and you do not want any long term effects of our best player on defense because you wanted to rush him back.
BrockLobster
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BelovedIsles
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Great news. He's probably already conditioning at Northwell. Gamechanger, as I said. He wont be playing 'real' games until 1st/2nd week of July. Thats 7 weeks, roughly.
He's become such a good shutdown Dman. You could tell the difference in the Isle's defensively when they lost him. Having him, Cizikas, Boychuck and Clutterbuck back, gives me a lot of confidence. Also, they can go 7 Dmen if they want. Pulock, Pelech, Leddy, Boychuck, Toews, Greene & Mayfield. Really solid D. Cizikas & Clutterbuck do a good job playing team D for the forwards and penalty kill.
The Winter Soldier
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I am going to be cautious, based on my experience of players coming back from this type of injury. But yes, if Pelech is back as good as before he was hurt. This is huge. He's that valuable to the Isles D.
