The Defence Thread
I've always personally felt that a team's Dcore is the most difficult to get right when building a contender. This year, we've seen Emelin switch to LD and take up a place beside Subban, Gilbert sign on and be RD with Markov, and now it seems Tinordi is the LD on the third pairing with Weaver.
Emelin-Subban
Markov-Gilbert
Tinordi-Weaver
I propose we use this thread to discuss the defence specifically throughout the year. Not just the players individually, but the pairings and the TOI as a whole.
To start things off:
1)What are your thoughts on the pairings so far this year?
2)What would you do differently?
3)Do we have an issue regarding room for Beaulieu
_______________________________
My thoughts:
1)I really, really like how our defence looks on paper, and after 8 games its just about as good as we can get with the players we have. Plus I love the balance of Left/Right handedness.
Our Physicality has gone up as well, leaving only Gilbert and markov as the "softest" D we have, but even then they can handle themselves well.
Emelin-Subban: This is the pairing I've been hoping for. Both Emelin and Subban can hit, skate and move the puck. Our #1D in Subban finally has a partner that can contribute offensively without having to stack our first pairing with Markov. As the season continues, I think we'll see Emelin break out a tiny bit offensively because teams will instinctively try to double team or cheat towards Subban, underestimating Emelin's abilities in the offensive zone.
Markov-Gilbert: This pairing is playing heavy minutes (Markov 24:55/GP, Gilbert 22:53) but they are playing well. Gilbert looked a little clumsy at times but frankly he's getting the job done. It's important to note that Markov has a RH partner, something he may not have needed in the past but it can't hurt. Markov looks pretty solid but I do hope that MT limits his icetime so he's fresher for the playoffs. Ideally, I think it would be nice to see a tiny upgrade on Gilbert, specifically to adding a more physical element to the pairing. But there's a long season ahead, and Gilbert has looked better and perhaps his reach and IQ will negate any lack of physicality.
Tinordi-Weaver: At first I was a bit skeptical about Tinordi playing with a non-puck mover, but then I came to see that Tinordi has no issue being the puck mover on the pairing. Weaver struggled early and I think that hurt Tinordi's numbers, but if you look closely Tinordi has been fantastic in the #5 role. Good skating, cautiously moving the puck up to the forwards, not getting caught taking chances, protecting the crease and standing up to physical forwards. He's only going to get better as time goes on, especially with his hitting. Weaver seems to be rounding into form, and frankly he's a fine #6, I don't expect too much out of him.
2)I would definitely include Emelin in the PP more often. Let Emelin-Gilbert be the 2nd wave D pairing and allow others than just Markov and PK to step up. It wouldn't have to be an even distribution between pairings but Emelin has shown he can make simple plays and get it to the net (as has Gilbert) and we should recognize him as an asset.
3)Beaulieu's skill and mobility should let him have no problem playing the offside, and we should look to let him draw in for Weaver, Tinordi, or (for rest purposes down the road) Markov. I'm sure injuries will happen and make the choice easy, but Beaulieu needs the minutes to grow his game, and his current playing level is enough to contribute well to the team's performance. MT has a difficult decision on his hands, but I'm sure an opportunity will come. I just hope that he isn't sulking about being spurned for Tinordi.
I've always personally felt that a team's Dcore is the most difficult to get right when building a contender. This year, we've seen Emelin switch to LD and take up a place beside Subban, Gilbert sign on and be RD with Markov, and now it seems Tinordi is the LD on the third pairing with Weaver.
Emelin-Subban
Markov-Gilbert
Tinordi-Weaver
I propose we use this thread to discuss the defence specifically throughout the year. Not just the players individually, but the pairings and the TOI as a whole.
To start things off:
1)What are your thoughts on the pairings so far this year?
2)What would you do differently?
3)Do we have an issue regarding room for Beaulieu
_______________________________
My thoughts:
1)I really, really like how our defence looks on paper, and after 8 games its just about as good as we can get with the players we have. Plus I love the balance of Left/Right handedness.
Our Physicality has gone up as well, leaving only Gilbert and markov as the "softest" D we have, but even then they can handle themselves well.
Emelin-Subban: This is the pairing I've been hoping for. Both Emelin and Subban can hit, skate and move the puck. Our #1D in Subban finally has a partner that can contribute offensively without having to stack our first pairing with Markov. As the season continues, I think we'll see Emelin break out a tiny bit offensively because teams will instinctively try to double team or cheat towards Subban, underestimating Emelin's abilities in the offensive zone.
Markov-Gilbert: This pairing is playing heavy minutes (Markov 24:55/GP, Gilbert 22:53) but they are playing well. Gilbert looked a little clumsy at times but frankly he's getting the job done. It's important to note that Markov has a RH partner, something he may not have needed in the past but it can't hurt. Markov looks pretty solid but I do hope that MT limits his icetime so he's fresher for the playoffs. Ideally, I think it would be nice to see a tiny upgrade on Gilbert, specifically to adding a more physical element to the pairing. But there's a long season ahead, and Gilbert has looked better and perhaps his reach and IQ will negate any lack of physicality.
Tinordi-Weaver: At first I was a bit skeptical about Tinordi playing with a non-puck mover, but then I came to see that Tinordi has no issue being the puck mover on the pairing. Weaver struggled early and I think that hurt Tinordi's numbers, but if you look closely Tinordi has been fantastic in the #5 role. Good skating, cautiously moving the puck up to the forwards, not getting caught taking chances, protecting the crease and standing up to physical forwards. He's only going to get better as time goes on, especially with his hitting. Weaver seems to be rounding into form, and frankly he's a fine #6, I don't expect too much out of him.
2)I would definitely include Emelin in the PP more often. Let Emelin-Gilbert be the 2nd wave D pairing and allow others than just Markov and PK to step up. It wouldn't have to be an even distribution between pairings but Emelin has shown he can make simple plays and get it to the net (as has Gilbert) and we should recognize him as an asset.
3)Beaulieu's skill and mobility should let him have no problem playing the offside, and we should look to let him draw in for Weaver, Tinordi, or (for rest purposes down the road) Markov. I'm sure injuries will happen and make the choice easy, but Beaulieu needs the minutes to grow his game, and his current playing level is enough to contribute well to the team's performance. MT has a difficult decision on his hands, but I'm sure an opportunity will come. I just hope that he isn't sulking about being spurned for Tinordi.