Could be both, looked like he hit his fave on the ice too.Re-watch it. It was definitely the final punch.
I think Hanifin is probably the best possible partner for Michael Stone, so this could work out fine for us. Hopefully Prout can do better covering for Valimaki than Stone did in game 1, and Hanifin should be able to carry Stone as well as OEL/Brodie did.
I don't think so. Hanifin is great but he shouldn't be the anchor on his pairing. Could be very ugly tbh
Hopefully Prout comes in to send a message. Plays 9 solid minutes. And then eats popcorn the rest of the year. Because once Rasmus gets a chance I can’t see him losing his spot.
Hopefully Prout comes in to send a message. Plays 9 solid minutes. And then eats popcorn the rest of the year. Because once Rasmus gets a chance I can’t see him losing his spot.
The message is if you take a cheap shot on one of our players prepare to see the facepuncher Prout
Prout is more than a face puncher... has anyone saying this ever actually seen him play outside of 2 exhibition games?
He does the little things fairly well, he just lacks speed and isn't great with the puck, he also needs to use his size more consistently. Add skating to his game and have him be more consistent physically, he'd be a very good bottom pairing defenseman
Yeah and defensemen that can't do something other than face punch don't get 200+ games in the NHL, Yeah he can fight, doesn't mean that is all he is good for.Its not like he came over from Siberia he has been around the NHL long enough to establish the type of player he is.
@super6646 What are you talking about?
Hanifin is absolutely a pairing-anchor type of guy. Steadily controls the game all three zones, dominant on exits and entries, and generates scoring chances individually.
He's a dominant, dominant player if game 1 was any indication. I mean, in fairness I don't expect him to play as well as game 1 every game (if he did, that player would be the Norris front runner) but there are no real holes to his game. Goal scoring, he had ten last year. Possession, he's shown that the uptick in competition hasn't really affected him and he actually pulled Hamonic up pretty aggressively every shift I've seen them together, which gives me hope for Stone. And he was really solid defensively too. With his playmaking Stone should get plenty of chances to use that dangerous one-timer of his.
I honestly did not realize Noah Hanifin was this good when we made the trade, but I am becoming a fan every shift I watch of him.
We're really in a good spot this year as far as depth goes. Stone's a solid #6 who can pinch hit as a #4 if his partner has strong puck moving skills. Prout's a perfect #7 who's actually slotted as a #7. Once Kylington and Andersson get an opportunity I doubt there will be any looking back as those two are absolutely dominant players at the AHL level (Kylington needs to work on his PP skills down there, but it's not like we need him on the PP if he does get called up). Valimaki is a solid young player whose ups counteract any downs he may have. And Treliving was glowing about Valiev, too.
Yes, we need one of Valimaki or Kylington to step up as the #5 with the departure of our previous LHD #5, but they are the kinds of complete talents that you want in that role, despite their precociousness. About the only issue with our D core is that we don't have a partner suitable for Andersson on the third pair. That's just a matter of experience for Valimaki/Kylington, once they've established they're not shaky as NHLers, Andersson will be in and Stone will be traded at a net positive return.
Yeah and defensemen that can't do something other than face punch don't get 200+ games in the NHL, Yeah he can fight, doesn't mean that is all he is good for.
What message will he send?
because of his skating, which I stated in the first post you quoted.By the same measure defensemen that are useful don't play 20 games over the last two seasons.
I hate the idea that many fans have that just because a guy is big and can fight that he sucks but in Prouts case it isn't that far from the truth.
The message is if you take a cheap shot on one of our players prepare to see the facepuncher Prout