Easy Ryder Posted March 28, 2007 Share Posted March 28, 2007 It's not for this year because we are very shallow at center position but i come to think that Koivu would be more valuable at the wing. I explain myself, he's not gaining speed and he is getting caugh often in the offensive zone and is not able to come back in time to play his position in the defensive zone. He is very good around the opposing net and for short pass deep in the zone. This year he didn't get good +/- numbers and it is a good indicator that something is missing in his play. We have him still for a long time under contract so in order for him to be a force until the end of his career in Montreal it would be nice to see him putting good numbers for the money worth. Kirk Muller as an example played an extended career as a winger and a very valuable one for Dallas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ch_nl Posted March 28, 2007 Share Posted March 28, 2007 You may have a point, but I doubt it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Posted March 28, 2007 Share Posted March 28, 2007 Way too many good young wingers on this team. Never will happen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chips Posted March 28, 2007 Share Posted March 28, 2007 I like the idea, but he would make an expensive winger with all the talent on the wing that we do have. Nevertheless, if we are fortunate enough to sign a franchise center for next season then I'd be all for it. GO HABS GO! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CBHabs_fan Posted March 28, 2007 Share Posted March 28, 2007 No way.....to good a face off man. Also good at leading the rush out of our zone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeLassister Posted March 28, 2007 Share Posted March 28, 2007 2nd line center would be fine for him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OneSharpMarble Posted March 28, 2007 Share Posted March 28, 2007 The guy sets up goal after goal, thats what you want from a center. I don't see your reasoning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMMR Posted March 28, 2007 Share Posted March 28, 2007 (edited) NO way he becomes a winger anytime soon. He is a great centre and especially in the playoffs where he has shutdown the likes of Joe Thornton twice and was excellent the first two game's against the Canes last year. He also is the 12th best faceoff man in the league. Edited March 28, 2007 by JMMR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Easy Ryder Posted March 28, 2007 Author Share Posted March 28, 2007 The guy sets up goal after goal, thats what you want from a center. I don't see your reasoning. I didn't say to do it NOW but in the long run he's hurting this team 5-5. 39 of his points were 5-5 and he is -20 it means if i am not mistaken that he has been on the ice for 59 goals. 59 goals of the 168 goals we allowed 5-5 this year, 35% of the goals against. Do you think it has nothing to do with his lack of speed to come back play defense when he is catched high in the zone or near the net where by the way he excels ? That is why actually that Carbonneau plays a third defenseman(Streit) on the Koivu-Ryder line. Because he knows this line needs somebody who will not forecheck like any winger but stay down to come back and break the play in the middle zone. Right now it is a solution that Carbo has found, he will have to do that for the remain of Koivu career or move him at the wing if we can finally develop or sign a great first line center. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHice Posted March 29, 2007 Share Posted March 29, 2007 The guy sets up goal after goal, thats what you want from a center. I don't see your reasoning. yea i dont get it either saku has 48 assists right now I didn't say to do it NOW but in the long run he's hurting this team 5-5. 39 of his points were 5-5 and he is -20 it means if i am not mistaken that he has been on the ice for 59 goals. 59 goals of the 168 goals we allowed 5-5 this year, 35% of the goals against. Do you think it has nothing to do with his lack of speed to come back play defense when he is catched high in the zone or near the net where by the way he excels ? That is why actually that Carbonneau plays a third defenseman(Streit) on the Koivu-Ryder line. Because he knows this line needs somebody who will not forecheck like any winger but stay down to come back and break the play in the middle zone. Right now it is a solution that Carbo has found, he will have to do that for the remain of Koivu career or move him at the wing if we can finally develop or sign a great first line center. Saku would play 3rd line center i believe before he would be ever moved to the wing. at that might happen in the coming years just to get some wear off of him Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobRock Posted March 29, 2007 Share Posted March 29, 2007 I think this is a case of reading too much into a single season, a strange season where almost everybody played poorly at even strength and played great on special teams. Going into this season, he was a plus player (+11), and is a plus player in the playoffs (+11). Come the playoffs, he may be a plus player again, and the regular season will be forgotten. Same for next season. I wouldn't even think about asking him to switch to the wing, even if the team was deeper at center. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Familia Posted March 30, 2007 Share Posted March 30, 2007 Don't get down on koivu after one season, he's an intense on the face off, we need that, there is no other centre on the team that can fill that position. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shortcat1 Posted March 30, 2007 Share Posted March 30, 2007 2nd line center would be fine for him. i agree with you there but first we'd have to get a legitimate 1st line center... who? i don't know... GO :hlogo: GO! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
(zore) Posted March 30, 2007 Share Posted March 30, 2007 (edited) No way.....to good a face off man. Also good at leading the rush out of our zone The guy sets up goal after goal, thats what you want from a center. I don't see your reasoning. Exactly. Edited March 30, 2007 by (zore) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fanpuck33 Posted March 30, 2007 Share Posted March 30, 2007 Don't get down on koivu after one season, he's an intense on the face off, we need that, there is no other centre on the team that can fill that position. What about Plekanec? I remember him doing very well on faceoffs during the playoffs last season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMMR Posted March 31, 2007 Share Posted March 31, 2007 What about Plekanec? I remember him doing very well on faceoffs during the playoffs last season. Yeah why not. And he if he can produce at about a point per game all next season that would be excellent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAK Posted March 31, 2007 Share Posted March 31, 2007 Yeah why not. And he if he can produce at about a point per game all next season that would be excellent. I like plekanec where he is. his line is doing good, I would love ot see them stick together a bit longer so they can develop a good chemistry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chips Posted April 1, 2007 Share Posted April 1, 2007 (edited) don't look now but koivu, scores a big time goal tonight and has quite a nice 5 serious going thus far. he IMO has stood out and may have been reading this thread... cause he's turning it on baby and its great timing. GO HABS GO! Edited April 1, 2007 by Chips Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMMR Posted April 1, 2007 Share Posted April 1, 2007 don't look now but koivu, scores a big time goal tonight and has quite a nice 5 serious going thus far. he IMO has stood out and may have been reading this thread... cause he's turning it on baby and its great timing. GO HABS GO! One thing to notice is Koviu played only 11:06 tonight and scored a goal. I know there were only 2 power plays but I wonder if Carbonneau is sending him a message for his -4 the night before. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Easy Ryder Posted April 1, 2007 Author Share Posted April 1, 2007 The fact thathe played 11:06 is because Carbo wanted to line up Bonk against Brière and he didn't want to risk the game by playing Koivu-Ryder pair because they are scary in the defensive zone, numbers dont lie.. So Carbo had better result with less playing time of Koivu-Ryder, they had both a goal while playing less. The message is that it is a team effort that will put them in series. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
koivu-11 Posted April 1, 2007 Share Posted April 1, 2007 I didn't say to do it NOW but in the long run he's hurting this team 5-5. 39 of his points were 5-5 and he is -20 it means if i am not mistaken that he has been on the ice for 59 goals. 59 goals of the 168 goals we allowed 5-5 this year, 35% of the goals against. Do you think it has nothing to do with his lack of speed to come back play defense when he is catched high in the zone or near the net where by the way he excels ? That is why actually that Carbonneau plays a third defenseman(Streit) on the Koivu-Ryder line. Because he knows this line needs somebody who will not forecheck like any winger but stay down to come back and break the play in the middle zone. Right now it is a solution that Carbo has found, he will have to do that for the remain of Koivu career or move him at the wing if we can finally develop or sign a great first line center. umm koivu has some speed and just cuz 35% percent of the goals he was on the ice doesnt mean anything could be a rly bad goal the goalie let it, could be an own goal could have been someone elses fault theres so many factors that your not lookign at and blaming him for those goals please......think a little more carfully. Btw i like to add the usual habs fan finding something to complain about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.