Yes it was at the cost of potentially downgrading Hamilton into Hanifin, but if the Brodano pair plays like it did a few years ago and Hanifin, who is *5 YEARS YOUNGER THAN DOUGIE* counties to improve, its beyond worth it
I'm so damn excited
I'm not even sure that Hanifin is a temporary downgrade from Hamiltoe.
I have been indulging in a lot of Hanifin highlights, and yes I understand that highlight packages aren't the best way to judge players as they usually do not include the snafus, but Hanifin seems to have a lot of qualities that go beyond numbers.
While he doesn't score as much, he seems to be very clutch. Many of his big plays happen when the team is down by one and come after second attempts. He doesn't give up and also seems to have a very high hockey IQ. He uses his teammates well. Hamilton just doesn't seem to have that 2nd gear.
I haven't looked at statistical comparisons or anything, so I could be wrong about the clutch thing.
__________________
"A pessimist thinks things can't get any worse. An optimist knows they can."
Chicago signs Cam Ward to a 1 year deal after they are caught with their pants down for backups last season and Staples craps on them..... ya what a risky signing you tool.
Edit: the comments section at the very bottom is Gold.
In Edmonton you don't need a valuable backup. You just play your #1 for 74 games until he dies of exhaustion.
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I'm not even sure that Hanifin is a temporary downgrade from Hamiltoe.
I have been indulging in a lot of Hanifin highlights, and yes I understand that highlight packages aren't the best way to judge players as they usually do not include the snafus, but Hanifin seems to have a lot of qualities that go beyond numbers.
While he doesn't score as much, he seems to be very clutch. Many of his big plays happen when the team is down by one and come after second attempts. He doesn't give up and also seems to have a very high hockey IQ. He uses his teammates well. Hamilton just doesn't seem to have that 2nd gear.
I haven't looked at statistical comparisons or anything, so I could be wrong about the clutch thing.
Agreed. Initially I was majorly disappointed in losing Hamilton (mainly because I felt he was a future Norris D-man before we even traded for him), but Hanifin is better defensively, takes way less penalties and put up the same amount of goals at 21 as Dougie did. Sure, he had 10 less points when both were that age, but defensive scoring only went down after Gio and Brodie split.
Giordano with Brodie: 13-21 goals 48-56 points (while missing 20 games)
Giordano with Hamilton: 12-13 goals 38-39 points
Brodie with Giordano: 6-12 goals 41-45 points
Brodie with Stone/Hamonic: 4-6 goals 32-36 points
Agreed. Initially I was majorly disappointed in losing Hamilton (mainly because I felt he was a future Norris D-man before we even traded for him), but Hanifin is better defensively, takes way less penalties and put up the same amount of goals at 21 as Dougie did. Sure, he had 10 less points when both were that age, but defensive scoring only went down after Gio and Brodie split.
Giordano with Brodie: 13-21 goals 48-56 points (while missing 20 games)
Giordano with Hamilton: 12-13 goals 38-39 points
Brodie with Giordano: 6-12 goals 41-45 points
Brodie with Stone/Hamonic: 4-6 goals 32-36 points
I think Hamilton is better defensively right now - Hanifin admitted to not really even being coached for defence in junior. He is a work in progress in the NHL in that regard, but he is unquestionably improving. He may even get pushed down into the third pairing for a bit while he improves, which won't worry me much. Hanifin seems like a strong IQ type and I bet he noticeably improves all the facets of his game as time goes on.
I too am curious why you didn't use a capital in six inches of text. I'm especially curious given that you used eight (!!!!!!!!) Question marks to denote an undecided roster slot.
Why eight question marks?
As to the signing of James Neal. I watched his goal reel with the Knights. He can score from anywhere. He can get his shot off from any angle. He can deflect pucks, and he goes to the front of the net. He's an assertive player, and he's a high skill player. His skating is smooth and strong, though he's not extra quick. He reminds me a bit of Bertuzzi, except I hate Neal much less. Neal seems the sort of player who will spear someone on behalf of Gaudreau, and I like that.
Down by one with a minute to go, we can now do this:
Gaudreau-Monahan-Neal-Tkachuk
Gio-Brodie
Tie game.
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Did Staples write similar when the Oilers signed Lucic to a deal far worse than any on this list? I don't think so. There was a brilliant comment in the comments section by a person named Greg Bates that pretty well covers Staples in a nutshell;
Quote:
I can't believe that actual sports journalists with half a brain are out of work while people like Staples continue to get paid to post basement bloggeresque quality articles.
The James Neal contract isn't even on the radar of worst contracts in the NHL but I'm pretty sure Lucic's is.
Big, mean and man can he score - on his knees, head, one timer or just a good ol' snipe. He sure gets that shot off in a hurry and he's big and smart enough to get in the right spot.
I'd love to see him with Johnny and Monahan, one of those three will have so much space at any given time - triple threat - that line should be good for 90 goals, perhaps even more (JG 25+, Monahan 30+, Neal 30+).
Then you run Tkachuk with Backlund and Lindholm as a second line against tough competition. Bennett/Frolik/Jankowski/Czarnik/Ryan can then enjoy easier competition on the third and fourth lines.
__________________ Always be yourself. Unless you can be Batman, then always be Batman.
Backlund and Tkachuk are not a pair. Backlund and Frolik are the pair. They play similar games and are very complimentary to each other in their skill sets. If anything, Tkachuk is the square peg playing with those two. Tkachuk is in search of a center that is creative and can distribute the puck better. I’d be more inclined to go with the following:
Until Treliving manages to move the immovable, you have to account for those guys in the lineup. Plus, the 4th line does need some size. I don’t think you can get by with three smurfs on a line in the NHL.
