deadhead
Registered User
- Feb 26, 2014
- 49,215
- 21,617
The fact that Ron didn't want to give more than 2 years to a center, didn't sign an experienced RHD (Folin doesn't count), and hasn't made any of the big trades people keep suggesting simply supports that he's hasn't varied an iota from his long-term plan, and that is to build around his draft picks.
But Ron is also the one who hires/keeps the scouts, Gordon and Hakstol, and sets the philosophy for the organization.
And you read the same thing from the scouts talking to prospects, Gordon in Lehigh and Hakstol in Philly.
The organization values hockey IQ, responsible two way play, back checking, gap control, etc.
This is Hextall's approach to hockey, and if Hakstol was fired tomorrow, the next coach would adhere to this philosophy. Reliable players over flash.
SO GET OVER IT.
As far as my "opinions:"
I was one of the earliest champions of TK, I think he will be a great player in a few years, but he has a way to go, love his explosiveness, his fieriness, his raw skills. But he plays out of control at times, channeling his inner Rinaldo (without the stupid penalties), and he doesn't make players around him better - one of the marks of a great player like Couts. Couts was the same player on the 3rd line with dreck as he was on the first line with quality. TK plays down to his linemates. But TK will only be 21 this year, he's still maturing physically and as a player. Right now he's a top scorer with the right help, but he's not a top NHL player. That is still probably a couple years away. I know that distinction is too subtle for certain posters to grasp.
I simply don't see Giroux as a dominant player, a great PP QB, a very good even strength scorer, meh defensively, lacks size and speed and can't impose his will. It's OK to be a very good player but not quite HOF quality. I don't think Patrick Kane is a great player either, great scorer but that's not enough in my book (unless you're off the charts great as a scorer, i.e. Sidney). Giroux will bounce back in the playoffs when the 2nd and 3rd lines are good enough to take the pressure off him. But great players by definition don't need help, they are the help.
Ghost played like a 3rd pair defenseman in 2016-17.
2016-17: 0.48 pp/60, Corsi 52.86, CorsiRel +2.32, xGF 49.45, xGFrel -0.14, power play 4.89 pp/60 (16th in the league)/last year 6.85 (5th in the league)
Those are bad numbers for an undersized offensive defenseman.
Part of the problem was his injury, part of his problem was his refusal to change his game to compensate for his injury.
Ghost has also come up small in the playoffs, he has yet to score an even strength point in 12 playoff games.
12 games: 0.00 pp/60, Corsi 48.37, CorsiRel +1.61, xGF 42.81, xGFrel -0.44, power play 2.19 pp/60
Facts are facts, Ghost wasn't a good player in 2016-17, he was much better last season, but he has come up small went it counts.
But Ron is also the one who hires/keeps the scouts, Gordon and Hakstol, and sets the philosophy for the organization.
And you read the same thing from the scouts talking to prospects, Gordon in Lehigh and Hakstol in Philly.
The organization values hockey IQ, responsible two way play, back checking, gap control, etc.
This is Hextall's approach to hockey, and if Hakstol was fired tomorrow, the next coach would adhere to this philosophy. Reliable players over flash.
SO GET OVER IT.
As far as my "opinions:"
I was one of the earliest champions of TK, I think he will be a great player in a few years, but he has a way to go, love his explosiveness, his fieriness, his raw skills. But he plays out of control at times, channeling his inner Rinaldo (without the stupid penalties), and he doesn't make players around him better - one of the marks of a great player like Couts. Couts was the same player on the 3rd line with dreck as he was on the first line with quality. TK plays down to his linemates. But TK will only be 21 this year, he's still maturing physically and as a player. Right now he's a top scorer with the right help, but he's not a top NHL player. That is still probably a couple years away. I know that distinction is too subtle for certain posters to grasp.
I simply don't see Giroux as a dominant player, a great PP QB, a very good even strength scorer, meh defensively, lacks size and speed and can't impose his will. It's OK to be a very good player but not quite HOF quality. I don't think Patrick Kane is a great player either, great scorer but that's not enough in my book (unless you're off the charts great as a scorer, i.e. Sidney). Giroux will bounce back in the playoffs when the 2nd and 3rd lines are good enough to take the pressure off him. But great players by definition don't need help, they are the help.
Ghost played like a 3rd pair defenseman in 2016-17.
2016-17: 0.48 pp/60, Corsi 52.86, CorsiRel +2.32, xGF 49.45, xGFrel -0.14, power play 4.89 pp/60 (16th in the league)/last year 6.85 (5th in the league)
Those are bad numbers for an undersized offensive defenseman.
Part of the problem was his injury, part of his problem was his refusal to change his game to compensate for his injury.
Ghost has also come up small in the playoffs, he has yet to score an even strength point in 12 playoff games.
12 games: 0.00 pp/60, Corsi 48.37, CorsiRel +1.61, xGF 42.81, xGFrel -0.44, power play 2.19 pp/60
Facts are facts, Ghost wasn't a good player in 2016-17, he was much better last season, but he has come up small went it counts.