CP Radio Poll of the week! Who should be Dion Phaneuf's partner?

[JiriHrdina]

Simple question, which blueliner do you want to see partnered with #3 this season?

[Maritime Q-Scout]

where's the option for former Screaming Eagle Adam Party :p

[Machiavelli]

I would say Giordano but I like the newish idea of trying Sarich out with him. As others have mentioned, Phaneuf/Sarich looked pretty good in their very limited time together.

Phaneuf-Sarich
Regehr-Aucoin
Vandermeeer-Giordano
Pardy

And then Giordano can play with Phaneuf on the 1st PP unit.

The only real question is how Regehr and Aucoin will look together. We've been able to count on Regehr and Sarich to really shut down the opposing team; not sure if Aucoin will be able to handle that role.

[Phanuthier]

I went with Gio with consideration to Vandermeer, because I assumed Regehr-Sarich to be the shut-down tandom. Aucoin is too slow and defensively inconsistant, and I think Eriksson has played his way off this team. I could see Warraner working there though.

[Caged Great]

where's the option for former Screaming Eagle Adam Party :p

Something of an aside, but your signature is wrong.

Behind Dominik Hasek is any of the following the blue line, ice, the boards. Pretty much anything but the net.

[Caged Great]

Giordano should be tried there and we'll see if he can handle the 1st pairing duty. If not, than either Sarich or Vandermeer should be tried (sarich if Giordano is tried with Regehr)

[Daradon]

Gio should get the shot, if that doesn't work then Sarich.

Leave Regs to be the other go to guy and have two lines with physcial presence.

[Flame19,289]

I think it really depends on where Phaneuf takes his game this year. If Keenan really wants Phaneuf to develop more of his defensive game this year, then perhaps pairing him with more of a puck-moving, offensive D-man would force him to adopt the defensive defenceman role.

But, if Dion is counted upon to continue providing an offensive contribution to the team (which I think will ultimately be necessary), then I think that pairing him with more of a defensive d-man will be necessary.

Putting Phaneuf and Regehr out there together leaves the other defensive pairings a little underfunded on the punsiher scale, I believe.

I think that we may see Giordano with Phaneuf on occasion, but I think that Sarich or Vandermeer are the most likely. I give the edge to Vandermeer in this one.

[atb]

I think it really depends on where Phaneuf takes his game this year. If Keenan really wants Phaneuf to develop more of his defensive game this year, then perhaps pairing him with more of a puck-moving, offensive D-man would force him to adopt the defensive defenceman role.

But, if Dion is counted upon to continue providing an offensive contribution to the team (which I think will ultimately be necessary), then I think that pairing him with more of a defensive d-man will be necessary.

Agreed, it really depends if and when Phaneuf elevates the defensive side of his game. Right now I just see too many breakaways and odd-man rushes with him and Gio in the same pairing.

Right now my vote goes to Vandermeer. If we see that elevated defensive side of Phaneuf then a Gio Phaneuf pairing would probably work pretty well.

[FanIn80]

Why not Regehr?

I know, I know. They tried it once upon a time, almost two years ago, and it didn't work.

On paper, though, it's a perfect pairing and Dion's game has come a long way since then. Why not try it again? The key is to leave them together for longer than one shift so they actually get used to playing together. Not put them out for one 45 second shift and then split them up for the rest of their careers. (note: I'm exaggerating here)

I mean seriously, we have one of the best defensive d-men in the game and one of the best offensive d-men in the game. If they're really as good as people say they are, then they should be able to figure out how to play together.

But, for crying out loud, stop changing the pairings around every two shifts! (@ Keenan, not anyone here)