| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Beans15 |
Posted - 11/24/2009 : 11:08:34
Since the Final Forward positions for the team Canada team has been such a hotly contested thread, I thought we should talk about the defense group.
In my game, there are spots for 6 d-men and 1 on the taxi squad.
My Top 4 are :
Pronger - Niedermayer
Weber - Keith
My next two would be:
Boyle and Doughty
My Taxi Squad would be:
Chris Phillips.
I know I am going to get beat up for my picks, but that's what I expect. If needed, Keith and Daughty would be a SICK shut down pairing and both can play offensively if they have to. Chris Phillips is also a Mr. Shut down (maybe the best in the game) with less of an offensive upside.
The player I am remiss to not add is Jay Bouwmeester, but he is not as good defensively as the shutdown guys and not as good offensively as the offensive guys. |
| 12 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| willus3 |
Posted - 11/24/2009 : 17:14:11
quote:
Originally posted by Beans15
Phaneuf is a defensive liability. He is not even taxi squad material at this point in his career.
Anyone else notice that Phaneuf is in the corners like gangbusters if the guy is smaller than him, but if the guy is as big or bigger than Dion, he's tentative to mix it up??
Don't believe me?? Next Calgary game watch him exclusively. A friend of my told me about this and I didn't believe it until I watched it myself.
Last season you may have been able to argue this. This season however is an entirely different story.
Phaneuf and Regehr have been paired together from the beginning of the season. The first 5 or 6 games they were awful. Regehr was probably the most to blame for that. They were around the -6 mark roughly 8 games in. They have been quoted as saying they are working hard to become one of the best pairings in the league and it is starting to show. They have been fantastic together the last ten games or so. Phaneuf was dealing with a hip injury all of last season as he didn't want to take time off to have the surgery. He's all fixed up now and has his mobility back. He is much more defensively aware in his end now. He is showing signs of what he has the potential to be.
As for him battling in the corners with certain sized players, well that has to do with knowing which way to play certain players and what the best way to beat them is. If you can physically handle a smaller player and take the puck that way then that's what you do. If the player is the same size or larger the smart play is to get position on him not to try and win a physical battle. So now having said that, watch him next time and pay attention to how many times he gets beat along the boards or in the corners. He is fantastic in that area actually. Especially against the elite players. Last year for example, playing hurt, he was great against Thornton in that series. Beat Thornton almost every time along the boards.
Bouwmeester I wasn't sure about after watching Calgary in the pre-season. But I have to say I would have him as top two pairing on Canada's team. No question. This guy is fantastic. Calm cool and collected. Nothing fazes him. He doesn't have a weakness either.
I like Keith a lot. I've been singing his praises now for a few years. It's nice to see he is getting some attention finally.
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| tbar |
Posted - 11/24/2009 : 14:50:35
The only two defense that are locks for my team right now are:
Neids - he is definitely a leader and has too much experience and skill to pass up on.
Prongs - well he's Prongs I think that tells the story.
After that it’s up in the air till a day or two before I have to make up my mind.
The players I would have in consideration:
Green - what an offensive threat (probably the best in the game right now) but do I trust him on the defensive side of the puck.
Weber - Also an incredible player in the offensive zone and not as much as a liability on the back end.
Boyle - another really talented offensive defenseman similar to Weber.
I would only be taking two of the above three guys as I already have Pronger and Neids who also have a good offensive upside.
Now I got 2 spots left and I want two shutdown guys:
Keith - he’s just an incredible skater and tough to beat and if you’re not skating with your head up well...sorry.
Regher - pretty much the same player as Keith but he might hit yah a little harder and play yah a little tougher in the corners. The one thing is I don’t know if he can keep up with Keith.
Bouwmeester - very good defensive player maybe not to the extent of Keith and Regher but he can also add a little offence if needed to fill in on the PP.
Not on my list:
Phenauf: he has not had one season since he came into this league that I thought he has been a better player. To me he looks like he did his rookie season.
In case an injury or somebody goes into a terrible drought I would be keeping an eye on:
Seabrook, Barker, Doughty, and I am sure more will come to mind but that’s all I got for now.
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| sharksfan44 |
Posted - 11/24/2009 : 14:47:31
quote:
Originally posted by Mikey Boy
Come on sharksfan! Niedermayer is #1 or #2... if not captain of the whole freaken team. wake up!
MP
whoa, sorry but im not changing my mind. i didnt boot him off my team, i just wouldnt start him. i realize this may piss people off, as it seems ur pretty pissed off about it.
its just my opinion. if someone on my team wasnt performing well, i would b quick to put him in, i just wouldnt start him right of the bat, thats all |
| HawkinOilCountry |
Posted - 11/24/2009 : 14:26:56
Neidermeyer - Pronger Best D-men in the league
Keith - Seabrook Best pairing in the league
Boyle - Weber Extremely well rounded and versatile
I like Phaneuf but the last few games he's definitly shown that he's not what Team Canada needs. My 7th is Bouwmeester.
The arena wall in chicago should be credited with a goal. |
| Beans15 |
Posted - 11/24/2009 : 14:18:09
Phaneuf is a defensive liability. He is not even taxi squad material at this point in his career.
Anyone else notice that Phaneuf is in the corners like gangbusters if the guy is smaller than him, but if the guy is as big or bigger than Dion, he's tentative to mix it up??
Don't believe me?? Next Calgary game watch him exclusively. A friend of my told me about this and I didn't believe it until I watched it myself.
Phillips is as much a shutdown guy as Regehr, but has more offensive upside in my opinion.
Keith, however is the best shutdown guy Canada has. |
| 50brent |
Posted - 11/24/2009 : 14:15:34
my bad last one was mine |
| Guest4762 |
Posted - 11/24/2009 : 14:14:52
my six are niedermayer , pronger , weber, keith , seabrook and phanuef my taxi squad guy would be Bouwmeester. |
| Mikey Boy |
Posted - 11/24/2009 : 12:46:30
Come on sharksfan! Niedermayer is #1 or #2... if not captain of the whole freaken team. wake up!
MP |
| Mikey Boy |
Posted - 11/24/2009 : 12:43:10
I agree with you beans for the first 6...but i agree with Josh that Bouweemster needs to be there if not one the top 6. Bouweemster in Doughty out, Phillips on his couch at home. And if your looking for a defensive defenceman then look at another flame in Robyn Regehr. thats your guy!
MP |
| Leafs81 |
Posted - 11/24/2009 : 12:10:39
My locks are Niedermayer, Pronger, Weber and Boyle.
Phaneuf and Keith are my other two
Bouwmeester is on the taxi squad. |
| sharksfan44 |
Posted - 11/24/2009 : 11:58:56
ok, if i had your four guys locked in, my next two would be boyle and seabrook.
if i started from scratch my defense pairings would look like this
boyle-pronger
weber-green
keith-seabrook
on my taxi squad i would have neidemeyer and bouwmeester |
| JOSHUACANADA |
Posted - 11/24/2009 : 11:28:55
No Bouwmeester? You have clearly gone against the grain here. I am not disagreeing just pointing it out. I like Chris Philips as a candidate. Underated by most fans, but fewer GM's and coaches would disagree with your pick. He is quietly one of the most Gifted shutdown guys in the game.
I would probably taken Regher instead of Doughty, even though Doughty is playing excellent hockey right now. Regher is a lock for any Dream team I assemble. |
