There is an old thread from last season but I figured no one would read any further than the first post which is out of date, this being the reason I started a new thread; mods please feel free to merge the threads if you think it best.
John Negrin was in Red Deer last night and I was excited to see how he has developed since last season. He played a poor game by his standards however it's easy to see the potential and how he can control the the game without anyone noticing him. He spent the first 2 periods defending the Rebels scoring line, behind 2-1 in the 3rd, he was moved into an offensive role in hopes of tying the game. The Ice ended up scoring twice late in the third to win, Negrin had no points and I believe was either 0 or -1.
This defender is extremely smooth with regards to his skating and puck-handling, nothing flashy, he is definately not Ovechkin on defence. It's as though the ice is slanted down towards the oppositions end when Negrin is on the ice. When he has the puck, he seems to know where every player is, this is something I also noticed last year; he is poised and rarely gives up the puck. When opposing checkers are converging on him, he makes difficult plays or passes seem simple; he is fantastic at skating or passing the puck out of his zone under pressure. In the offensive zone, Negrin is constantly moving making himself open to the pass at the blue line.
The reason I feel he had a bad game, and this might have more to do with coaching and the system rather than with the player, is that he positions himself in front of his own net while defending. This can be helpful as he is attenpting to tie up opposing skaters, however, he relies on his skates and stick to block shot attempts, he never goes down in the traditional manner; this may help with mobility and loose pucks, but in the game last night, he screened the goalie on a PP goal and screened and tipped a goal even strength.
I would suggest that this might be more hazzardous than a meaningful tactic as his +/- this year is not that great; on the other hand, if he is defending the oppositions best line every night, is almost a point per game, perhaps his +/- isn't that big of an issue.
To summarize, he wasn't fantastic but even if he is having a poor game, he is still capable of controlling the play and making life easy for his teammates while logging alot of minutes and perhaps that is the most exciting aspect of this prospect. Glad he is Flames property!
The reason I feel he had a bad game, and this might have more to do with coaching and the system rather than with the player, is that he positions himself in front of his own net while defending. This can be helpful as he is attenpting to tie up opposing skaters, however, he relies on his skates and stick to block shot attempts, he never goes down in the traditional manner; this may help with mobility and loose pucks, but in the game last night, he screened the goalie on a PP goal and screened and tipped a goal even strength.
Defensemen need to be in front of the net to clear the opposition, but like you said it needs to be done properly otherwise they can be a hazard to their goaltenders.
Regehr is one of the better defensemen in the NHL for clearing the front of the net; Negrin will learn how to play in front of the goalie properly. That takes time.
I think Dion did this lots during his first two seasons, It almost seemed like he wanted to play goalie and wasn't letting Kipper see the puck at times. Seems to me like a coaching issue that 'll be taken care of when he spends some time with Playfair.
Just thought I'd comment on John Negrin. I graduated with him in Cranbrook here and I think you guys will like this.
Here's a few things you may not know about John that I have learned of him through conversation and observation (I'm not a stalker):
a) John never could stop talking about the Flames and how much he dreamed of going there. When he said that in an interview it wasn't just a regurgitated generic thing to say. He truly meant it.
b) John liked to make fun of the nerdy kids. One time he threw a paper ball at one for no reason.
c) John had no interest in Social Studies until William Lyon "The Wino" Mackenzie was mentioned... still a mystery to me.
d) Before he got drafted, John was often embarrassed to wear his Calgary Flames jersey. In fact, so many people made fun of him that his hair turned red. Could be a rumour, not sure.
e) John, Michael Stickland, and Dustin Sylvester just might be the most aggravating students to teachers in high school. They were always turned around talking to each other and being mouthy to teachers.
f) In my conversations with John, he often cited Hot Rod pepperoni sticks as a favourite food. I guess we now know why Sutter wanted him to get "bigger", but not in that way. Johnny, lay off of the Hot Rods.
g) John often wore flip-flops in the middle of the winter. Sockless, of course, but nonetheless a weird trait of his.
h) On the topic of clothing style, John had a very "different" clothing style. It's hard to describe, but I'll do my best: Red afro, collared puke green half-zip sweater, navy blue tee underneath, corduroy tan pants (sometimes just simple tan or green khakis), grey Kodiak socks, and his shoes are the hardest to explain, but they were those slip on shoes with a sort of suede texture (really weird). Anyways, that was his fashion sense. Hopefully he can get some fashion sense from Glencross.
So yes, that's about it. He's quite the human being.
Interesting post Pierre McGuire. Didn't know he was a flames fan growing up.
Anyways the Broncos are in Edmonton tomorrow night and I'll be going to watch the game. I'll check a close eye on Negrin and give a report on Saturday. Really big fan of Negrin so I'm excited to finally see him live tomorrow night.
d) Before he got drafted, John was often embarrassed to wear his Calgary Flames jersey. In fact, so many people made fun of him that his hair turned red. Could be a rumour, not sure.
haha, i used to wear my flames stuff in school. i used to get made fun of so much because kids said the flames suck. i had like flames toque, gloves and scarf for winter. i loved the flames but then when went to school i hated it cause all the kids were so hard on me for liking such a "crappy team"
John Negrin
