Florentino Ariza
Registered User
He is physically very gifted, but he needs to get on the machine that corrects bone-headed decisions, because his decision-making is not equal to his physical gifts. Not yet.
assuming we do trade Niskanen
Scuderi Letang
Orpik Martin
Despres Bortuzzo/Engelland
PP
would prob have Letang on 1st unit unless he's terrible there, Martin on 2nd unit. Possibly Despres on 2nd unit at times
PK
some combination of our top 4
In regards to his poor decisions and giveaways, it could very well be a product of the Bylsma get it out of the zone as quickly as possible system. Your coach constantly harps on you to get the puck going north ASAP, you're going to do that. I'm not trying to say the Letang has the greatest hockey IQ in the world, but it's worth thinking about.
Letang does not score his points with dangerous pinches and high risk plays. I see no reason why he can't increase his steadiness in his own end simply by adding a steady partner and having a goaltender who isn't fighting the puck all the time.
Letang is going to improve greatly defensively next year for a number of reasons, but I don't expect a major falloff of points. A point per game is too aggressive to expect, but he will still be at the top of the league.
I completely agree. I really don't see Letang's problem being poorly timed pinches or anything that would really make him better off playing safer. That's the part he's good at. His biggest mistakes come when he is playing safe and overthinks what he should do.
Letang is one of the most likable pro athletes out there. I can't figure out a reason to call a guy who works as hard as he does a d bag? Any team in the league would kill for that skill set and work ethic. Look at him. Look at Giroux, bloated and partying. Paunch belly and to injured to go to some meetings???? And Letang gets labeled a d bag for busting ass and being a family man?
you don't take a defensemen who is capable of scoring at nearly a point per game and tell him to stop playing offense. There are tons of shut down defenders in the NHL, there are maybe 2 other players who can put up points like Letang. You make is work with what you have IMO
If Letang focuses more on defense while playing smarter and scores less points, it will be a net gain for us.
Also, with Letang's new deal, he is going to have to be that defenseman to live up to it. He needs to be the 1st guy on the ice in every situation...not Paul Martin. That's why the guy is making the big bucks. He has to be the calming defensive force back there like the best defensemen in the NHL are. Not a guy who makes you hold your breath as he's trying to dangle 2 forecheckers with no help to be found...or he's leaving the zone before the puck is even close to being broken out.
I really think I watch a different player than you do. Those are not the kinds of mistakes I see him make.
Then we are watching a different player.
Hell, him leaving the zone early happened in the playoffs a few times. When he's not the puck carrier out of the zone, he's much more prone to start moving up ice than to support the play. Him pinching in on the powerplay with no help back happened a couple times in the playoffs, which is just not simply recognizing what is going on around him.
He needs to quit playing like a cowboy, even if him playing like that is 90% of his appeal. Having him be a rock steady defenseman who can be relied upon to play against the oppositions best and put up 50 points, or there about is much more valuable than him putting up 70 points.
If he can play defense the way Martin did this past season, he'll more than make up for the lack of production he would probably see by not being so run and gun all of the time.
That's the thing that drives me nuts about Letang. He doesn't get his points from pinches and taking high risk plays.... but he still takes them and he has a ton of bad habits. I have no problem with him skating in deep at times but skate in and skate out. Don't skate in and then hang around deep in the offensive zone.Letang does not score his points with dangerous pinches and high risk plays. I see no reason why he can't increase his steadiness in his own end simply by adding a steady partner and having a goaltender who isn't fighting the puck all the time.
Letang is going to improve greatly defensively next year for a number of reasons, but I don't expect a major falloff of points. A point per game is too aggressive to expect, but he will still be at the top of the league.