Rehabguy
Always open minded
- Oct 2, 2011
- 5,077
- 1,935
I was reading in the paper how Romanov decided (or was coached) to play a more conservative style focusing more good positioning rather than going out of his way to make a hit. Overall, of course you want your defensemen to be playing smart hockey no one's going to argue against that, but the Isles gave away a first round pick for this guy and if he's not playing up to his game strengths why the hell did we acquire him? Romanov is falling under the same mistake that hampered Barzal under Trotz for the past 4 years- not playing up to his individual strengths.
The problem with the Isles right now is their defense. They are making it far too easy for opposing teams to enter the D-zone unimpeded especially late in the game and as we have seen particularly when they have a lead. This is the time when someone like Romanov needs to literally step up and make a big well timed hit to get into the opposing team that getting the scored tied up is not going to be an easy task. He's got the talent for making these timely big hits and I'm not saying that he has to make these hits every shift or even every game, but when the time is right he has got to make it a point to make his presence felt. He's got to get into the opposing team's heads just like Barzal's ice capades (when done appropriately and at the right time) gets into the opponents heads. If he's not doing this he's pretty much just another dull defensemen and given the problems the Islanders are having now with defense that's not good place to be.
Lambert has got this D playing like a bunch of softees (I would have preferred a more explicit term but you know- the kids). Imagine a Kasparaitis without the physical game. Potvin is his time was known as one of the leagues fiercest hitters. Players were absolutely scared of him. Now, Romanov is no Kasparaitis nor is he Potvin, but he is able to make these types of hits from time to time and he should be doing it more often and not just playing positional D all the time especially doing what he has been doing lately and just turtling back towards the goaltender. Nobody fears him anymore. Watch Bortuzzi. The first shift he had as an Islander he runs right into and blows up the best player on the opposing team (Sabres?). He knows the game. He sends an immediate message to anyone watching that just because he's the new guy on the block he's not letting anyone get by him unmolested. That's what Romanov needs to do more of. Play with and edge. Be a little nasty.
This is what I want to see more from Romanov. (Not expecting the scoring of course)
The problem with the Isles right now is their defense. They are making it far too easy for opposing teams to enter the D-zone unimpeded especially late in the game and as we have seen particularly when they have a lead. This is the time when someone like Romanov needs to literally step up and make a big well timed hit to get into the opposing team that getting the scored tied up is not going to be an easy task. He's got the talent for making these timely big hits and I'm not saying that he has to make these hits every shift or even every game, but when the time is right he has got to make it a point to make his presence felt. He's got to get into the opposing team's heads just like Barzal's ice capades (when done appropriately and at the right time) gets into the opponents heads. If he's not doing this he's pretty much just another dull defensemen and given the problems the Islanders are having now with defense that's not good place to be.
Lambert has got this D playing like a bunch of softees (I would have preferred a more explicit term but you know- the kids). Imagine a Kasparaitis without the physical game. Potvin is his time was known as one of the leagues fiercest hitters. Players were absolutely scared of him. Now, Romanov is no Kasparaitis nor is he Potvin, but he is able to make these types of hits from time to time and he should be doing it more often and not just playing positional D all the time especially doing what he has been doing lately and just turtling back towards the goaltender. Nobody fears him anymore. Watch Bortuzzi. The first shift he had as an Islander he runs right into and blows up the best player on the opposing team (Sabres?). He knows the game. He sends an immediate message to anyone watching that just because he's the new guy on the block he's not letting anyone get by him unmolested. That's what Romanov needs to do more of. Play with and edge. Be a little nasty.
This is what I want to see more from Romanov. (Not expecting the scoring of course)