Bart9349
Registered User
- Jul 4, 2016
- 3,156
- 3,340
I admit I am speaking from total ignorance on this matter, but reviewing the roster, it appears that VGK is a left-handed team:
Of the 21 skaters, only five are right-handed: Tuch (RW), Miller (D), Perron (LW), Engelland (D), and Marchessault (C).
https://www.geargeek.com/team/vegas-golden-knights
Good article on the significance of right-handed vs. left-handed players:
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/hockey/righty-lefty-don-shooting-nhl-puck-article-1.2655568
"Cahill compares being a right-handed shooting defenseman in hockey to being able to "throw 88 mph as a lefty pitcher" in baseball. Every baseball manager wants a lefty specialist in his bullpen for situational use.
There are fewer lefty pitchers than righties in baseball. So there is more opportunity for a left-handed pitcher to get a job because he has less competition, and his technique can counter the opposition's game plan because his skills differ from the norm.
It's similar for a right-handed defenseman in hockey. In the NHL this regular season, there were 186 left-handed shooting defensemen and 120 righties, a 1.55-to-1 ratio. Righties are at a premium on the blue line.
"On a team, you typically have seven or eight defensemen and maybe only two or three righties," Eminger says. "So it's an advantage for us because it possibly puts you in the lineup more or if the coaches need a righty D on the penalty kill or power play. You may be given that spot because you're the only righty 'D' we have, so it works out that way."
This could explain some of the roster moves. This could also help to predict future potential trades.
So, please help me with my ignorance. I need to gain some insight on this concept of handedness (especially among defensemen).
I know Babcock strongly believed in pairing right-handed D-men with left-handed ones.
https://www.thescore.com/nhl/news/1094190-babcock-explains-importance-of-left-handed-defensemen
Any thoughts appreciated. Or is this concept just meaningless (but interesting) trivia?
Of the 21 skaters, only five are right-handed: Tuch (RW), Miller (D), Perron (LW), Engelland (D), and Marchessault (C).
https://www.geargeek.com/team/vegas-golden-knights
Good article on the significance of right-handed vs. left-handed players:
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/hockey/righty-lefty-don-shooting-nhl-puck-article-1.2655568
"Cahill compares being a right-handed shooting defenseman in hockey to being able to "throw 88 mph as a lefty pitcher" in baseball. Every baseball manager wants a lefty specialist in his bullpen for situational use.
There are fewer lefty pitchers than righties in baseball. So there is more opportunity for a left-handed pitcher to get a job because he has less competition, and his technique can counter the opposition's game plan because his skills differ from the norm.
It's similar for a right-handed defenseman in hockey. In the NHL this regular season, there were 186 left-handed shooting defensemen and 120 righties, a 1.55-to-1 ratio. Righties are at a premium on the blue line.
"On a team, you typically have seven or eight defensemen and maybe only two or three righties," Eminger says. "So it's an advantage for us because it possibly puts you in the lineup more or if the coaches need a righty D on the penalty kill or power play. You may be given that spot because you're the only righty 'D' we have, so it works out that way."
This could explain some of the roster moves. This could also help to predict future potential trades.
So, please help me with my ignorance. I need to gain some insight on this concept of handedness (especially among defensemen).
I know Babcock strongly believed in pairing right-handed D-men with left-handed ones.
https://www.thescore.com/nhl/news/1094190-babcock-explains-importance-of-left-handed-defensemen
Any thoughts appreciated. Or is this concept just meaningless (but interesting) trivia?
Last edited:
