ARZ*
Guest
When JVR played center a season or two ago what went wrong? I didnt watch the games but I heard many things. Does Babcock try it again and maybe teach him to be a good center. I would love for him to be a center. A fast 6"3 200 center.
Swervin81
Leaf fan | YYZ -> SEA
hamzarocks
Registered User
garce
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Mats13
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- Apr 22, 2015
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He played it a while back when things weren't going well (shocking right).
Anyway I think he played it for like 10-15 games and those were easily his worst as a Leaf. So yeah, let's no try that again.
Didnt he play for the games that Kadri got suspended and Bolland and Bozak were injured.
Lets say he is tried at center in training camp and maybe Babcock can get him to play deeper into his own zone would he be an effective center.
Ya... he played center when practically everyone else was unavailable. He didn't look good at all.
It's not to say that he couldn't learn... but that's probably a really bad idea.
hamzarocks
Registered User
The Apologist
Apologizing for Leaf garbage since 1979
soulie
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- Jan 9, 2008
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Ugh please no. Last time JVR was center he really dropped the ball defensively against opposing centers. He was frequently out of position, and a step behind due to unfamiliarity of that position at the NHL level.
I suppose if we want to tank hard it's always an option? Perhaps even get our forwards playing on D and vice versa #tanknation
I suppose if we want to tank hard it's always an option? Perhaps even get our forwards playing on D and vice versa #tanknation
Turk Broda
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- Jun 2, 2009
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JVR is a winger. It's what he is. We have Kadri, Bozak, and Holland who play center. Yes its not a very impressive group, but this is something that will be addressed in next years draft.
The Winter Soldier
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- Apr 4, 2011
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Played Center at the U of New Hampshire.
Could not covert this to the NHL. There are no guarantees until you can actually do it at the NHL level.
Wing is where he belongs.
Could not covert this to the NHL. There are no guarantees until you can actually do it at the NHL level.
Wing is where he belongs.
Tak7
Registered User
The guy is a winger. That's where he is most comfortable because that's where he'd played most of his career.
Why mess that up?
It was like trying to it a square peg into a round hole - didn't work. No need to try it again. He's just not comfortable there.
Sort of like throwing someone who has played D their life, into the net.
I don't think JVR was bad defensively at centre. He wasn't able to do the job a centre does & still create offence. You also need your centres to do an excellent job in getting your line mates involved. JVR struggled with that the most at centre.
In 2013-14, Nazem Kadri wasn't working out with James van Riemsdyk and Phil Kessel while Tyler Bozak was injured. Dave Bolland was also injured then as you know. So Carlyle decided to move JVR to centre and move one of the 2nd line wingers up (Joffrey Lupul) to the 1st line. And kept Kadri on the 2nd line.
LeafalCrusader
Registered User
Carlyle should have tried Kulemin at center during that stretch. Thought he looked good later on when Carlyle tried him there.
Mess
Global Moderator
To play center you need to be good on face-offs and strong defensively as defensive zone coverage and responsibilities without the puck increases significantly for a center over a winger.
JVR proved despite playing center up until draft time as a junior he wasn't qualified to play the position in the NHL.
JVR proved despite playing center up until draft time as a junior he wasn't qualified to play the position in the NHL.
frankthetank91
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- Jul 30, 2011
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The guy is a winger, let it be. No use of forcing someone into a position that makes them play much worse.
Pyromaniac3
Registered User
He wasn't comfortable at all playing centre. And he sucks defensively as a winger, why would you put him in more defensive role?
