Some nice post there TDMM. I thought I was giving you a compliment by calling your argumentation 'almost unbiased'. Don't think it was a way to discredit you or anything like that. Anyway!
I won't take time to cover all your post one by one, but I think I answer some of them in this post. I took over five hours to write it down in the train (9 1/2 pages in my book, and I write small!) and another few hours to re-transcript it in here. For a guy that he's suppose to be in vacation, I took far more time than I wanted on this ATD playoff. However, I wrote this before seeing all those new argument. Perhaps this will be my only post in this thread, although I guess I'll probably come back in this thread tomorrow or in two days to answer some question, but not in full length. I'm sorry if I cannot follow your pace TDMM, but this is my one big push, hopefully people will appreciate my effort.
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First line
First of all, I will admit that I'm a very big fan of TDMM 1st line. I'm one of the biggest supporter of Tom Phillips, who's speed and overall offensive abilities, alongside being a good defensive player, is the perfect fit for the Richard's brother. Maurice is obviously the offensive cataclyst of the line and it's very well true what TDMM wrote on Maurice: don't underestimate just how dominant of an offensive player he was in the playoffs. The only thing I havn't fully bought is that Maurice played any sort of defensive game, but Phillips is around and Henri, the pocket rocket who not only the name fit well, but but the fact that his great playmaking and two-way abilities complete the line and Maurice perfectly. Well, it probably dosn't help my cause to praise that line so much, but even my twisted mind couldn't find much negative to say on them.
Having said that, I do believe I do have an offensively potent and dangerous first line in his own right. Obviously, this line is primarly base on speed and the elite playmaking of Elmer Lach and I will try to use both of thse skills against TDMM slower defensive pairing. You also have to remember that I have Doug Harvey and Fern Flaman, two elite defenceman in the transition game, and when all five of them are together on the ice, this 5-man unit is perhaps the fastest in the draft, not really in term of pure speed, although it's a very fast line, but in term of transporting the puck from the defensive zone to the offensive zone. They can burn you by the crisp passing of Harvey, Flaman and Lach or the elite speed of Anatoli Firsov, especially, followed by Lach and Dillon. Talking about my first line individually, Anatoli Firsov is the fastest player in this matchup. He's also a prolific goalscorer, playmaker with good strenght and a ferocious backchecker. Elmer Lach is an elite playmaker who bring an array of skillset on the table: speed, goalscoring, toughness and defensive abilities. Such a complete hockey player who only injuries affected him to be considered alongside the best of the best. On the right side, Cecil Dillon goalscoring abilities, speed and defensive abilities is a good compliment to this line. All three of them can take faceoff and were renown playoff performer (or international performer). They were concern on TDMM part that this line was lacking toughness and could be in trouble against rough-and-tumble line (not that the Devils has a line of that sort), but I disagree. Yes, it's not a prototypical line with a designated powerforward ala Bert Olmstead or Punch Broadbent, but Anatoli is far from a player that can be pushed around. I think people underestimate just how tough of a customer Elmer Lach was. He's a punishing hitter with amazing strenght. He's probably the most forceful forward of all six first liner. I don't consider Dillon near as tough as the other two, but his style of play didn't seemed to hinder his play in the 1930's. Again, not the prototypical physical first line, but I have a hard time seeing them being pushed around, and if anything, I don't see any forward line or defense pairing on the Devils' team that can come close to intimidate them.
Second line
Interesting mix of player on that second line. Starshinov is definitely the offensive cataclyst of that line, Herbie Lewis the playmaker and defensive conscience and Boris Mayorov the rough partner, but I feel like there's a lack of playmaking to really use Starshinov at his best. His finishing twice 4th to never appear in the top-10 again in the 1930's good enough to support the entire playmaking department of a scoring line in the ATD? I also havn't seen anything on Mayorov as a decent playmaker. That it's why it's difficult to buils around Starshinov: he has to be the center of attention of the line and be surrounded by great playmaking and some defensive player and it's tough to do so when we are drafting an ATD team. The other thing about Starshinov is that he played a tough style of hockey and bullied his way through a defence to score goals. This quality, although still present at the ATD level, is much tempered down, as getting through an european 1960's team is a far much easier job that doing so against an ATD team. On top of that, he will have to pass through Doug Harvey, Fern Flaman, Zdeno Chara, Bert Corbeau and Jerry Korab, all five of them are either stronger or as strong as Starshinov himself. Don't get me wrong, I still think it's a decent scoring line, but putting together the fact that I think the line is a bit awkwardly built and I have the defensive corp talent and nastiness to stop that line biggest weapon, I think the Falcons will be able to rendered that line effectiveness to a minimum.
I'm a fan of my second line, and I think that most who don't see Vladimir Krutov as the steroids filled, fat and greasy Russian, but rightfully as one of the best left winger of the 1980's will also think so. Vladimir Krutov was a great powerforward with an array of offensive skills. He could pass the puck well, but first and foremost he was a formidable goalscorer, with either a powerful slapshot ora wicked wrister. He was fast, strong as an ox, was on the first powerplay and penalty kill on his country. A veritable force and a privilege to have to be able to use him on secondary scoring line. At centre, Tod Sloan is a speedy goalscorer with great strenght and decent defensive abilities at most. On the right side, Vladimir Vikulov, the underrated, good goalscorer and even better playmaker, with decent defensive abilities. Although a swift skater, he was not a fast in-line skater. Vikulov will be the main playmaker of that line, feeding passes to his speedy linemate, who will use their strenght and speed to create chances and score goals. I've read concern of TDMM that this line was lacking any kind of defensive abilities, and again I wil have to disagree. That line dosn't have a designated defensive conscience, but this line defence is what I call: defence by committee. None of them can be considered twoway forward, but none of them are inept defensively. Krutov from what I've read and see played a decent defensive game and was Russia top pk player. We thought not long ago that Tod Sloan was a great two-way forward, and I've pretty much concluded that this was not the case. However, let not go the other way and say he was awful defensively. He was a decent defensive player in his scoring year with Toronto and end up the premier defensive centre of a Stanlet Cup champion later in his career. Vladimir Vikulov is just as good and commited to the defensive aspect of the game than Firsov. That's what I'm saying by ''defence by committee''. None stand out, but all three will do their part in the defensive zone. Adding to the fact that they will be covered most of the time by Zdeno Chara and Bert Corbeau, the defensive conscience of that line is not a concern for the Detroit Falcons.
Third line
Definitely not the typical third line assemble by the Devils, but one of the most offensively potent in the draft. It work very well with Smith the main playmaker, Palffy the main goalscorer and Doan doing the 'powerforward', although his not a true pôwerforward per say. It's a different strategy to use 3 offensive line like that, and I'm not sure how it work on the ice, but as far as the line goes all of them fit well together.
On my part, I went in a more conservative direction and built a typical, two-way third line that the Detroit Falcons' team usually go for. All three of Don Marcotte, Ken Mosdell and Floyd Curry are strong defensive player that are used to play against the opposition best line. It's not a secret that in a perfect world, only my first and third line would be on the ice against the Richards. It's a pretty straightforward line, but I would like to point out something about the offensive production of that line. TDMM have claimed that only Kenneth Mosdell could be considered a two-way player at this level, and in the playoffs I disagree. I will even say that Mosdell is not even the best offensive player of that line. Indeed, let's not forget just how extremely impressive of a playoff performer Floyd Curry was. In fact, Curry was the 7th most productive goalscorer in the playoffs of the 1950's, only behind Geoffrion, Richard, Lindsay, Howe, Moore and Beliveau. Not too shabby of company! He and mosdell are a good two-way duo in the playoffs and all three are elite defensive player. Don't underestimate the fact that they could burn you on the offensive side of the rink if you're not careful.
4th line
It's easy to see that the Devils' 4th line was used as a throw-in of player that are used as special team specialist, which I believe was TDMM plan all along. However, as an ES line, I don't see it working very well. It's definitely an above average defensive line with Mackell and Handzus, but it dosn't bring much else. At the end, I'm pretty sure they will only play a handful of shifts at ES together, so I don't think it matter very much. Also, Mackell was a tremendous playoff performer, but his best offensive season came as a center with the Boston Bruins of the late 1950's. Seeing he's only use as a centre on the PK, I don't see the Devils using Mackell offensive potential to the fullest.
My fourth line will play some more minutes than the Devils fourth line, mostly because they are better at ES and they also have multiple purposes in that regard. They will mostly be use sporadically as a momentum changer on two front: first of all, the Almetov-Loktev duo is perhaps one of the most dangerous offensive duo of any 4th line. They bring a throng of skills and will be able to bring some scoring chances the some goals that can change the face of the hockey game. Secondly, Eddie Shack, of the biggest pest around, a great fighter and a punishing hitter that can change the momentum of a game by playing his aggressive style of hockey. I'm not saying that this line will see heavy minutes, but at the proper time they will see some action. Considering everything I've written and the matchup at hand, especially the second lines, I believe the Detroit Falcons will have just as much offensive support of their secondary line than the Devils, while bring more defense and intangible.
1st pairing:
I'm a big fan of Bill Quackenbush. He's a fantastic two-way defenceman who do everything well. He's the least physical defenceman of all 14 in this series, but I will say that this dosn't affect his play one bit. On the other side, Art Coulter is a good defensive defenceman and a great leader. However, I'm unsure about Coulter speed and if he has enough wheel the fastest player in this matchup in Anatoli Firsov time after time.
Maurice Richard is one hell of an offensive force, and one of the most dangerous in all the draft. With that in mind, he will have to face the second best defenceman of all-time in Doug Harvey. This is a perfect matchup for the Falcons, as you draft a franchise defenceman like Doug Harvey so that when he play against the cream of the crop, he's right there in their face each and every time. Make no mistake, when Maurice Richardis on the ice, Doug Harvey is also there, no question ask. At home, Art Ross will make sure 100% of the time, Harvey face Maurice. When the team is away, he cannot completely control that, but that's a great advantage to have probably the best #3 defenceman of All the draft in the big and strong Zdeno Chara. Talking about strong defenceman, Fern Flaman is an excellent defensive defenceman, also a mighty bruising one, who can support the attack if needed to.
2nd pairing:
Let's talk about Pratt first, who's obviously the Devils #3 defenceman. Big, strong offensive defenceman. His defence is definitely questionable, but he can be a dangerous offensive defenceman. We already talked alot about Bilayletdinov. My opinion is that he's a very good #4 defenceman who complement Pratt well. The pairing works very well.
Zdeno Chara is probably the best #3 defenceman the drat has to offer. Another norris nomination this year and each playoff game this year add to his legacy. Excellent defensively, perhaps the most physically impressive defenceman in the draft. few secondary scoring lines has to play against that good of a defenceman. On the other side, you have ot face Bert Corbeau: decent offensively, decent defensively, decent wheel, great leader, but obviously his biggest strenght being one of the nastiest and best bodychecker of his generation. I'm not sure how a player like Herbie Lewis will play against those two defenceman. Mayorov and Starshinov have good to great strenght and are definitely no pushover, but they will have a hard penetrating that defence and keep themselves in front of the net.
TDMM was writting that Dan Boyle was the best #5 defenceman of this serie and that this gave him more flexibility. First of all, I have a hunch that Bobby Rowe might have been just as good overall than Boyle, but I havn't had time to to research Rowe enough so I will agree with the first part of the statement. However, I'm a bit puzzle by the second part: what does having Dan Boyle as a #5 defenceman give you more option? He's what he is: an offensive defenceman, PP specialist. He's already playing on both the 1st and 2nd PP: how much Es minute do Boyle will play? I will need an explanation, because I don't see what Dan Boyle overall have on Jerry Korab, another offensive defenceman who's not as good offensively but far more physical.
Goaltending:
There's absolutely no doubt that the Devils have a decent edge in goals. Gardiner was an excellent goaltender with good crendentials. We know him him very well and talk alot about him in this draft.
Al Rollins will have the chance this time to play behind an excellent defense, which will change him from playing behind the most mediocre defensive team of the original-six era. Make no mistake, Rollins is a low-end starter in this draft, but if you have an underaverage goaltender as your starter, the Detroit Falcons definitely have the defence corp to make him look better than he actually is. Little edit: I read your stuff on Rollins and I will just add that Rollins won the Stanley Cup as the starter of a team that was anchor in the last decade by one of the best playoff performer in goal of all-time. He was in goals when Barilko scored. I won't go in details again. I've made my claim, it's all there in my biography. At this point, just like Vladimir Krutov, everyone has enough information to make their mind.
Spares:
I don't have much to say, other than I'm convince that Gilles Marotte is a better #7 defenceman and can be use in more situation than Alexei Zhitnik. I'm pretty sure that Sergei Kapustin is the best 13th forward in this series, who bring tremendous speed, grit and offensive abilities. Jiri Lala, for all account, his also an excellent spare to have.
Powerplay unit:
Overall, I would say that the Devils owns the better PP. This first unit with Maurice is scary. I'm not a big fan of the second unit, but Quack and Boyle are great 2nd PP defenceman.
For the Detroit Falcons, I think the first unit works very well together. Harvey and Lach, at both end of the ice, are the primary passers and are upmost elite at that. You can either use one of the heaviest shot of all-time in Chara or Anatoli Firsov great wrist shot while Krutov is the big body presence who can deflect shots, takes rebounds and screen the goaltenderé The second unit is more straightforward. Overall, edge to the Devils because Maurice Richard are Maurice Richard.
Penalty Kill:
I think the edge come to the Detroit Falcons by a decent amount in that matchup. I've been sold that to the fact that Fleming Mackell is an elite penalty killer and all other three on the first unit are fitting players. However, the Falcons boost probably the best set of PK in the draft. Doug Harvey and Zdeno Chara are elite PK player even at this level. Marotte and Mosdell are tremendous PK player. The second unit of the Devils is somewhat fitting, but unimpressive. On the other hand, Flaman is another elite pk player and crease clearer. Almetov is perhaps the best pk player in the history of Russian hockey. Floyd Curry and Bobby Rowe are fitting defensive player. Both the Detroit Falcons and the Devils use the same strategy for their third unit: strong two-way player that can take advantage of the fifth man coming out of the box. However, I think the Falcons are more dangerous in that regard. The lineup of Harvey, Lach, Krutov and Chara: Harvey being the elite transitional player, the elite passing of Harvey and Lach and the great speed of Lach and Krutov. Seeing as my opponent want to use Dan Boyle the full two minute, the Falcons think they will be able to take advantage of that fact.
Coaches:
I think both sets of coaches are very fitting to the style of play their team is playing. I won't go any further as I think this matchup is basically a draw.
So that's it for my evaluation of this matchup. I trully believe that I have the best 2nd seed team in the draft and that the Detroit Falcons have all the tools and a favorable matchup to create a small upset (Actually, it's not really an upset, 1vs2 is basically on equal ground). However, the Devils is able an excellent team and it would be no shame losing against them. Hopefully, the voters will take the time to read my novel before voting. As I said earlier, I will try to be back to answer some question, but I'm unsure if I'll be able to. Honestly, I spent 10 hours half the world away from home, in holiday to write down this argumentation ... talk about my commitment to this draft and the ATD!
PS. I'm so tired of writing down that I havn't even double-check what I wrote. Hopefully everything make sense!
