Possible Yakupov - Hemsky pairing could be just what #83 needs

[BadMedicine*]

Ive always thought Hemsky needed a true shooter to reach the next level.

I thought he was getting some good chemistry with Hall last year but nothing as good as I had hoped.

Yak is a bit more of a shooter than Hall I think so Hemsky should will be even better with him.

Looking forward to it.

I think Hemsky would be a perfect setup man for a bull like Hartikainen who always prefers to come right down the middle and into the danger zone every time.A constant serious threat like that might open up a few wraparounds for Hemmer if he can catch tenders cheating to Hartikainens up the gut attack.

 

[SchultzSquared*]

I think Hemsky would be a perfect setup man for a bull like Hartikainen who always prefers to come right down the middle and into the danger zone every time.A constant serious threat like that might open up a few wraparounds for Hemmer if he can catch tenders cheating to Hartikainens up the gut attack.

Teemu is a natural center isn't he:

Yakupov-Hartikainen-Hemsky

Lets the big man do just what you say and drive the middle of the ice. He can muck it up in the crease while Yakety Sax and Hemmer play pass-and-go. One of them shoots it finally and Hartski is there to bang in the garbage if it doesn't go in.

 

[BadMedicine*]

I had no idea he was a centerman naturally,what have we been doing then,with that middle game ability he is a perfect fit for Smyth and Hemmer.

 

[Mcnofool6110]

Teemu is a natural center isn't he:

Yakupov-Hartikainen-Hemsky

Lets the big man do just what you say and drive the middle of the ice. He can muck it up in the crease while Yakety Sax and Hemmer play pass-and-go. One of them shoots it finally and Hartski is there to bang in the garbage if it doesn't go in.

Wait.. what?!?!

Has the organization been using him wrong for years?!

Is this not the big hitting 2nd-line-potential centreman we've been looking for since the Ice Age?

Or is this post a little mistaken...

EDIT: Turns out he might actually be... or YahooSports might have another mistakes.

For all his time in the A, though, he's been a winger. I'd venture a good bet that he's much more comfortable on the wing. Then again, I'm not Hartski.

 

[The Nuge]

Wait.. what?!?!

Has the organization been using him wrong for years?!

Is this not the big hitting 2nd-line-potential centreman we've been looking for since the Ice Age?

Or is this post a little mistaken...

ya I'm pretty positive he's a winger

 

[SchultzSquared*]

ya I'm pretty positive he's a winger

From "International Scouting Services" (I copied this from Lowetide's blog)

International Scouting Services: “real warrior who hates to lose. Great work ethic, loves to play a physical style and when he’s on he’s unstoppable. Has a habit of taking bad penalties. Does not have a lot of offensive flair but does have the skill set to be a reliable defensive center at the next level.â€

 

[Mr Sakich]

Teemu is a natural center isn't he:

Yakupov-Hartikainen-Hemsky

Lets the big man do just what you say and drive the middle of the ice. He can muck it up in the crease while Yakety Sax and Hemmer play pass-and-go. One of them shoots it finally and Hartski is there to bang in the garbage if it doesn't go in.

What in the world are we doinng playing him at wing? The one place we have extra is at wing and the one thing we don't have is a big 2nd line centre.

cue the Gagner rumours.....

Hall RNH eberle
Hemsky Teemu Yakupov
Smyth Horc MPS

that looks like a smokin top 9

 

[Baggie]

that looks like a smokin top 9

Not too excited about the third line. Would love to see someone more physical there, but I guess we're out of luck.

 

[McJC]

If Teemu is indeed a natural centre, then we have a dream for a top 6.

Would be hilarious if what we were looking for this whole time was right under our nose.

 

[Towmater14]

I think that they will work great together, I can't wait!

 

[tiger_80]

I'd like to see Hemsky with yakupov/Hall and Horcoff at centre. Put Gagner with Smyth and Hartikainen who are both gritty and strong on the cycle.

Hall-RNH-Eberle
Yakupov-Horcoff-Hemsky
Smyth-Gagner-Hartikainen
Eager-Belanger-Petrell/Jones

 

[tiger_80]

What in the world are we doinng playing him at wing? The one place we have extra is at wing and the one thing we don't have is a big 2nd line centre.

cue the Gagner rumours.....

Hall RNH eberle
Hemsky Teemu Yakupov
Smyth Horc MPS

that looks like a smokin top 9

Hartikainen is not fast enough to be a good centre in the NHL. He could become an effective 2nd-3rd line winger though--his board play and cycling game are top notch at the AHL level.

 

[s7ark]

I'd like to see Hemsky with yakupov/Hall and Horcoff at centre. Put Gagner with Smyth and Hartikainen who are both gritty and strong on the cycle.

Hall-RNH-Eberle
Yakupov-Horcoff-Hemsky
Smyth-Gagner-Hartikainen
Eager-Belanger-Petrell/Jones

Why would you like to see that?

 

[tiger_80]

Why would you like to see that?

Yakupov is a shooter, Hemsky is a play-maker. Hemsky and Horcoff played well together in the past. Gagner and Hemsky never played well together. Horcoff is somewhat more reliable defensively than Gagner. I feel Gagner is better suited for the cycling game of Smyth and Hartikainen and does not have the speed to keep up with hem sky and Yakupov.

 

[s7ark]

Yakupov is a shooter, Hemsky is a play-maker. Hemsky and Horcoff played well together in the past. Gagner and Hemsky never played well together. Horcoff is somewhat more reliable defensively than Gagner. I feel Gagner is better suited for the cycling game of Smyth and Hartikainen.

Horcoff hasn't played well with anyone in years. Gagner at least has hands and doesn't mess up near ever pass he sends or receives.

I don't want Horcoff on the same line as any of our kids.

 

[tiger_80]

Horcoff hasn't played well with anyone in years. Gagner at least has hands and doesn't mess up near ever pass he sends or receives.

I don't want Horcoff on the same line as any of our kids.

Horcoff's been miscast in the past couple of seasons. I do think the days when he was close to a PPG player are long gone, but it is not out of the question that he rebounds offensively somewhat. He's still capable enough defensively to provide the needed balance on the line that could be a disaster in own end.

 

[nabob]

Horcoff's been miscast in the past couple of seasons. I do think the days when he was close to a PPG player are long gone, but it is not out of the question that he rebounds offensively somewhat. He's still capable enough defensively to provide the needed balance on the line that could be a disaster in own end.

You'd be better off putting 3 demon out there instead. At least they wouldn't get in the way in the offensive zone and fumble every pass and whiff on every shot.

 

[Draiskull]

If the Oilers had any intention of making Harti a center then they wouldve tried him at that position in AHL already.

 

[s7ark]

Horcoff's been miscast in the past couple of seasons. I do think the days when he was close to a PPG player are long gone, but it is not out of the question that he rebounds offensively somewhat. He's still capable enough defensively to provide the needed balance on the line that could be a disaster in own end.

I don't want to take this any further off topic than I have so I'll leave my side of the debate after this. I am interested in your response though.

How has Horcoff been miscast? He's been gifted 1st unit PP time and the best wingers this team has had for years. He's done nothing with it. Also, how many forwards bounce back offensively at 34?

Horcoff is fine defensively and ok on the draw. That should be his contribution to the team. Expecting offense from him as well is just not realistic, imo.

 

[Groucho]

Why would you like to see that?

His name is probably Shawn.

 

[tiger_80]

I don't want to take this any further off topic than I have so I'll leave my side of the debate after this. I am interested in your response though.

How has Horcoff been miscast? He's been gifted 1st unit PP time and the best wingers this team has had for years. He's done nothing with it. Also, how many forwards bounce back offensively at 34?

Horcoff is fine defensively and ok on the draw. That should be his contribution to the team. Expecting offense from him as well is just not realistic, imo.

He's been playing too much, I think (lots of PP time, PK time and ES against other teams top line)--not only because they have to shelter RNH and Gagner defensively, but also because these kids can't win a face-off on the PP in the offensive zone if their life depended on it. I expect as his minutes go down, he should become a bit more effective in every zone. 40 points projected over a 82 game season is a realistic expectation if he plays with Hemsky and Yakupov (which is fine, though not great, for a 2nd line centre)
I also believe you exaggerate Gagner's effectiveness. He, of course, has more natural talent than Horcoff ever had, but his style does not mesh with Hemsky--both are pass first guys; Hemsky likes to quickly carry the puck on the rush, then either takes a shot or looks for a shooter. Yakupov is like that too, although he's more of a shooter. Gagner is not fast enough to play this brand of hockey--by the time he catches up, the puck will be going the other way.

That said, we'll see how it shakes up. Maybe Yakupov finds chemistry with Gagner and changes the entire dynamics of the line with his ability to create space.

 

[Draiskull]

He's been playing too much, I think (lots of PP time, PK time and ES against other teams top line)--not only because they have to shelter RNH and Gagner defensively, but also because these kids can't win a face-off on the PP in the offensive zone if their life depended on it. I expect as his minutes go down, he should become a bit more effective in every zone. 40 points projected over a 82 game season is a realistic expectation if he plays with Hemsky and Yakupov (which is fine, though not great, for a 2nd line centre)
I also believe you exaggerate Gagner's effectiveness. He, of course, has more natural talent than Horcoff ever had, but his style does not mesh with Hemsky--both are pass first guys; Hemsky likes to quickly carry the puck on the rush, then either takes a shot or looks for a shooter. Yakupov is like that too, although he's more of a shooter. Gagner is not fast enough to play this brand of hockey--by the time he catches up, the puck will be going the other way.

That said, we'll see how it shakes up. Maybe Yakupov finds chemistry with Gagner and changes the entire dynamics of the line with his ability to create space.

Horcoff shouldnt have been overworked.. Smyth is good on the draws and Belanger couldve been given some PP time if the kids couldnt win a faceoff. I bet Horcoff wanted\demanded the PP time ..

 

[BadMedicine*]

Horcoffs days of close to a PPG are long gone,he has definately lost a step and he was on the wire in the first place maxing out at that level,he made his mark as a shadow as a defensive specialist--remember??--he is now a vet who can hang with the big dogs really anywhere in a limited role,he is still a premier shutdown guy.With his salary now becoming more inline he isnt such a bad deal considering he seems willing to accept a diminished role---but truth be told a team like Vancouver could use him and in this short season so could a few others.Its a funny market this year for players .

We have a better chance of winning a Cup with Horcoff on our team ,his veteran presence and leadership are what we need in the Playoffs,with less pressure to score goals Horcoff might become a bigger threat as a passer as he has great positional awareness especially crossice.When we recieve injuries Horcoffs value will increase quickly.He is the depth we need.

 

[AM]

Lets have five rookies together on a line and see how many goals we can give up in 30 seconds.

 

[Ogopogo*]

meh, its been 10 years of trying to find the perfect partner for Hemsky.

Exactly. What Hemsky needs is a heart transplant. He doesn't compete, doesn't battle, doesn't play to his potential and won't suddenly be a superstar because a better player is on his line. He has to bring it himself and, if after 10 years he hasn't done it, he never will.