Quote:
Originally Posted by GranteedEV
We lost last game.
|
What's the point? We're going to lose a lot of games down the stretch. It won't be Engelland's fault exclusively will it?
Quote:
Originally Posted by GranteedEV
Then he should be dropped down to 3rd pair and someone else tried on the 2nd pair. Whatever Hartley is doing right now is not working. We've won a single game (VAN) this season with Engelland in our top 4 and that was a game where Engelland was still a minus.
|
Agreed. I'd like Wotherspoon or Jokipakka to try and play with Hamilton. Dropping Engelland out of the top 4 and scratching him aren't the same thing.
Quote:
Originally Posted by GranteedEV
Sure you can. There are successful teams in the NHL who don't have a single Top 6 player playing that role.
|
In our division? Engelland is probably the only player on our team who has the strength and mass to even think about hitting/moving guys from the front of the net like Perry, Getzlaf, Lucic, Kopitar, Thornton, Ward, Kesler, etc. We struggle against big, cycling teams as it is. Removing the only guy who can physically attempt to disrupt the cycle isn't a winning idea long term IMO.
Quote:
Originally Posted by GranteedEV
I'm not saying that role is obsolete but you have to have your six best defensemen out on the ice, you can't let "roles" preside over "usefulness in scoring and preventing goals" that's exactly how you become the Leafs teams that Burke left behind in shambles. The ghost roster concept is not how you build teams in a cap world.
|
I think you underestimate the physical defensive defensemen role in the NHL. Not surprising given your emphasis on numbers and how poor the possession metrics usually are for that type of player. Just the other day I saw someone try to argue Marc Staal wasn't very good because of his metrics but he's a great defensive defensemen who you can win with in this league. Darryl Sutter wanted MORE physical, defensive defensemen so they picked up Luke Schenn for him.
Roles and usefulness in preventing goals are very much related. I'm just surprised you don't see the obvious link between dressing physical defensive defensemen and trying to prevent goals scored by big, strong forwards.