sakiqc Posted December 3, 2011 Share Posted December 3, 2011 Eller is right where he belongs. Imo, DD is nothing special. He is comparable to Eller and the fact that he is one of our top two centers says more about our lack of depth then his talent. If I could wave a magic want, I replace DD and Gomez with Malkin. Done. Desharnais, nothing special? Wow. This guy is probably one of the brightest hockey player around, with top vision, poise and hockey sense. He just showed it greatly against Joe Thornton's line. He outmatched the giant 1-1 and the play resulted on Cole's goal. Desharnais: 1G 2A 3Pts +2 Thornton: 0-0-0 -3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlbalr Posted December 3, 2011 Share Posted December 3, 2011 Desharnais, nothing special? Wow. This guy is probably one of the brightest hockey player around, with top vision, poise and hockey sense. He just showed it greatly against Joe Thornton's line. He outmatched the giant 1-1 and the play resulted on Cole's goal. Desharnais: 1G 2A 3Pts +2 Thornton: 0-0-0 -3 That's a one game sample. Should we then overlook the rest of the season's stats which tell a different tale? Desharnais: 3-10-13, E Thornton: 5-16-21, +9 Desharnais, to me, is nothing special at this point. He's one of the streakiest offensive players on the team and is simply brutal in the defensive zone. I liken him to Kyle Wellwood, an undersized quality offensive player who can put up 40 or so points but wouldn't be able to do so on a good team where the depth is better. For the Habs to succeed moving forward, it can't be with Desharnais as a top 2 centre. His ideal role is probably as a tertiary offensive specialist on a good team which isn't a bad thing by any stretch, a player can carve a good niche for himself in that role. But he's far from being one of the 'brightest hockey players around,' especially when again, he is mostly clueless defensively. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sakiqc Posted December 3, 2011 Share Posted December 3, 2011 That's a one game sample. Should we then overlook the rest of the season's stats which tell a different tale? Desharnais: 3-10-13, E Thornton: 5-16-21, +9 Desharnais, to me, is nothing special at this point. He's one of the streakiest offensive players on the team and is simply brutal in the defensive zone. I liken him to Kyle Wellwood, an undersized quality offensive player who can put up 40 or so points but wouldn't be able to do so on a good team where the depth is better. For the Habs to succeed moving forward, it can't be with Desharnais as a top 2 centre. His ideal role is probably as a tertiary offensive specialist on a good team which isn't a bad thing by any stretch, a player can carve a good niche for himself in that role. But he's far from being one of the 'brightest hockey players around,' especially when again, he is mostly clueless defensively. Come on lol, I'm not comparing Desharnais's career to one of the best Center in the league. This is a gamethread SJ-MTL and I'm just saying that DD fared pretty well last night against one of the elite C in the league, one who has more than 1000 GP and Pts. DD outmatched his line, and particularly on that play where he beat him along the board which led to a beautiful goal by Cole. Most of us complain for the lack of a French canadian superstar. We all know how well Desharnais performed at every level he has played. He has an extremely high hockey IQ, vision and playmaking habilities. He is more productive than St. Louis was at the same point in his career. He may have had points in only 2 of his last 8 games, but so did Plekanec with pts in 1 of his last 6. If he's streaky then the whole team is slumpy. He's also 5th on the team in +/-. Desharnais is electric to watch. Just for his playmaking and vision he is a very special player. Definitely belongs to the NHL even at 5' 7". He doesn't deserve the criticism. It's up to Eller to produce and show he can take his spot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlbalr Posted December 3, 2011 Share Posted December 3, 2011 Come on lol, I'm not comparing Desharnais's career to one of the best Center in the league. This is a gamethread SJ-MTL and I'm just saying that DD fared pretty well last night against one of the elite C in the league, one who has more than 1000 GP and Pts. DD outmatched his line, and particularly on that play where he beat him along the board which led to a beautiful goal by Cole. Most of us complain for the lack of a French canadian superstar. We all know how well Desharnais performed at every level he has played. He has an extremely high hockey IQ, vision and playmaking habilities. He is more productive than St. Louis was at the same point in his career. He may have had points in only 2 of his last 8 games, but so did Plekanec with pts in 1 of his last 6. If he's streaky then the whole team is slumpy. He's also 5th on the team in +/-. Desharnais is electric to watch. Just for his playmaking and vision he is a very special player. Definitely belongs to the NHL even at 5' 7". He doesn't deserve the criticism. It's up to Eller to produce and show he can take his spot. Since when should a player be exempt from criticism when he struggles? He gets points in bunches then goes quiet for 6, 7 games. Hardly the same as Plekanec who before the slump was averaging a point per game (without a ton of multi-point ones). I like his playmaking skills, they're decent. When he's on, he's a useful player. When he's not on, he's a guy who should be seeing 4th line minutes. Average it out and he's an offensive third liner which is where I believe I said his ideal role should be. Should he be playing just under 18 minutes per game? Not a chance. Swap Eller and Desharnais' ice time and linemates. I'm pretty confident Eller would be near Desharnais in points, not sure I'd be comfortable saying the same the other way. Desharnais fills a role on this team, I don't hate the guy. But I'm not putting him on any sort of pedestal, that's for sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hab29RETIRED Posted December 3, 2011 Share Posted December 3, 2011 Since when should a player be exempt from criticism when he struggles? He gets points in bunches then goes quiet for 6, 7 games. Hardly the same as Plekanec who before the slump was averaging a point per game (without a ton of multi-point ones). I like his playmaking skills, they're decent. When he's on, he's a useful player. When he's not on, he's a guy who should be seeing 4th line minutes. Average it out and he's an offensive third liner which is where I believe I said his ideal role should be. Should he be playing just under 18 minutes per game? Not a chance. Swap Eller and Desharnais' ice time and linemates. I'm pretty confident Eller would be near Desharnais in points, not sure I'd be comfortable saying the same the other way. Desharnais fills a role on this team, I don't hate the guy. But I'm not putting him on any sort of pedestal, that's for sure. Shouldn't the same hold for the $6M Cammeleri??? He has beyond worse then clueless in the defensive zone, shown very little interest or effort most nights and the way he is playing, he is probably one of the guys Martin referred to as not being on board. I also don't see why it has to be "Eller or DD"? IMO, DD is better suited as a winger and personally, I'd love to see them and another big winger on the same line. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlbalr Posted December 3, 2011 Share Posted December 3, 2011 Shouldn't the same hold for the $6M Cammeleri??? He has beyond worse then clueless in the defensive zone, shown very little interest or effort most nights and the way he is playing, he is probably one of the guys Martin referred to as not being on board. Absolutely. And I've been critical of him in my weekly pieces when warranted while he has been criticized on here as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hab29RETIRED Posted December 3, 2011 Share Posted December 3, 2011 Absolutely. And I've been critical of him in my weekly pieces when warranted while he has been criticized on here as well. Question I'd ask is why isn't his ice time effected. I'd also add gionta to that list of guys who deserve to be sitting. There is no excuse for the captain of your team being -9 in one week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlbalr Posted December 3, 2011 Share Posted December 3, 2011 Question I'd ask is why isn't his ice time effected. I'd also add gionta to that list of guys who deserve to be sitting. There is no excuse for the captain of your team being -9 in one week. A lack of options would be my guess. When you look down the bench and see the likes of Palushaj, Darche, and Moen as other wingers, I can see why Martin would be inclined to keep putting them out and hoping for the best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbp Posted December 3, 2011 Share Posted December 3, 2011 A lack of options would be my guess. When you look down the bench and see the likes of Palushaj, Darche, and Moen as other wingers, I can see why Martin would be inclined to keep putting them out and hoping for the best. People keep talking about getting him more ice-time... but I don't think he has shown anything to deserve it. Price has more points. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hab29RETIRED Posted December 3, 2011 Share Posted December 3, 2011 A lack of options would be my guess. When you look down the bench and see the likes of Palushaj, Darche, and Moen as other wingers, I can see why Martin would be inclined to keep putting them out and hoping for the best. I don't buy that. Martin is always mixing up his lines, but its always the same guys that get extra time or PP time. Why not give Eller 2-3 games to be a top PP guy - what he has been doing for the past 10 games or so hasn't been working. I'd also stack the top two lines and play them until they drop as follows: AK46-Pleks-Camy DD-Eller-Cole Gionta-Leblanc-Palushaj Moen-Noki-Darche Next game when Maxpac is back: AK46-Pleks-Cole DD-Eller-Maxpac Gionta-Cammy-Leblanc Moen-Noki-Palushaj Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlbalr Posted December 3, 2011 Share Posted December 3, 2011 Playing Gionta on his off-wing probably isn't the greatest of ideas. Also, Leblanc is most likely AHL bound after today. If not him, then Palushaj...barring more injuries of course. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Commandant Posted December 3, 2011 Share Posted December 3, 2011 That's a one game sample. Should we then overlook the rest of the season's stats which tell a different tale? Desharnais: 3-10-13, E Thornton: 5-16-21, +9 Desharnais, to me, is nothing special at this point. He's one of the streakiest offensive players on the team and is simply brutal in the defensive zone. I liken him to Kyle Wellwood, an undersized quality offensive player who can put up 40 or so points but wouldn't be able to do so on a good team where the depth is better. For the Habs to succeed moving forward, it can't be with Desharnais as a top 2 centre. His ideal role is probably as a tertiary offensive specialist on a good team which isn't a bad thing by any stretch, a player can carve a good niche for himself in that role. But he's far from being one of the 'brightest hockey players around,' especially when again, he is mostly clueless defensively. Desharnais is very smart defensively IMO.... his positioning and hockey sense is great. He just gets outmuscled far too often and this makes him a liability IMO. I still think he should be a winger eventually and we do need a better number 2. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Commandant Posted December 3, 2011 Share Posted December 3, 2011 People keep talking about getting him more ice-time... but I don't think he has shown anything to deserve it. Price has more points. Palushaj has gotten like one period of ice time on a decent line, and even then it was Moen - Eller - Palushaj. I think he needs more AHL time.... but I also think he doesn't fit on a line with Noko and Darche, and might be able to score a point or two with someone to work with. He's a guy who likes to cycle and pass a lot in the offensive zone and he has noone to work with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hab29RETIRED Posted December 3, 2011 Share Posted December 3, 2011 Playing Gionta on his off-wing probably isn't the greatest of ideas. Also, Leblanc is most likely AHL bound after today. If not him, then Palushaj...barring more injuries of course. I'd dump Darche. he's looked better tonight, but for the most part he has been horrible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Commandant Posted December 3, 2011 Share Posted December 3, 2011 I'd dump Darche. he's looked better tonight, but for the most part he has been horrible. Darche probably ends up in the pressbox when we are fully healthy. For now, I'd rather have Palushaj or Leblanc in Hamilton than playing fourth line minutes. Right now they are needed because there is noone else. But long term I'd rather see them getting 20 minutes in Hamilton than 6 in Montreal. Just like Patches needed to go down and dominate the AHL at the start of last season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hab29RETIRED Posted December 3, 2011 Share Posted December 3, 2011 Darche probably ends up in the pressbox when we are fully healthy. For now, I'd rather have Palushaj or Leblanc in Hamilton than playing fourth line minutes. Right now they are needed because there is noone else. But long term I'd rather see them getting 20 minutes in Hamilton than 6 in Montreal. Just like Patches needed to go down and dominate the AHL at the start of last season. I'd rather have both in Hamilton as well and would only keep Leblanc up, if he is going to play with skilled guys - not like the kind of shot that Palushaj has been getting. But I hope they bring someone else up until Gomez comes back, rather then playing Moen on the 3rd line or Darche at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Commandant Posted December 3, 2011 Share Posted December 3, 2011 Moen has 8 goals... he can stay on the third line for a little longer IMO. He always provides defence and physicality, so thats fine. And I'd keep him on the third until he stops scoring at this pace. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Commandant Posted December 3, 2011 Share Posted December 3, 2011 Eller has been really sexy handling the puck this past week, but we never see points Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Commandant Posted December 3, 2011 Share Posted December 3, 2011 Eller to AKost !!! Oh Yeah. Eller and Akost should always play together, let Moen go with Pleks and Gio. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hab29RETIRED Posted December 3, 2011 Share Posted December 3, 2011 Moen has 8 goals... he can stay on the third line for a little longer IMO. He always provides defence and physicality, so thats fine. And I'd keep him on the third until he stops scoring at this pace. I don't mind keeping him up there as long as he is productive -but I don't see him scroing more then 12 or 13 this year - 15 tops! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Commandant Posted December 3, 2011 Share Posted December 3, 2011 I don't mind keeping him up there as long as he is productive -but I don't see him scroing more then 12 or 13 this year - 15 tops! Oh I agree, he`s a fourth liner eventually... but I`d leave him on the third until its not working anymore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gern Posted December 4, 2011 Share Posted December 4, 2011 DD had a great game in San Jose, no doubt about it. Hey even Macleans noticed http://puckbandits.com/2011/12/04/httpwp-mep1ux3s-cv/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sakiqc Posted December 5, 2011 Share Posted December 5, 2011 DD had a great game in San Jose, no doubt about it. Hey even Macleans noticed http://puckbandits.c...wp-mep1ux3s-cv/ hahah good one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BCHabnut Posted December 5, 2011 Share Posted December 5, 2011 Eller has 8 points.. He has had plenty of time with offensive players. Not as much as DD, but DD has 16 points, and over all has done a pretty good job of being the team's #2 center for most of this young season. I honestly don't see the creativity from Eller. His hands are great, he can stick handle beautifully, he protects the puck better than anyone else on the team, and he seems to be getting better every game, but normally the play just dies in Petrovian fashion. (oleg petrov for you young fellers). If the DD Cole Pac line faulters, i would guess that Eller will get his chance, but to say that he should get DD minutes or that line should be broken up right now is out of the question. Overall they are playing too well. Pac and Cole on the same line seems to be excessive, but it is working right now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gern Posted December 5, 2011 Share Posted December 5, 2011 hahah good one thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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