Which leaves Samuelsson - who isn’t really a player you’re excited to trade.
You can get a fine deal on a great car that needs a little care (let’s say a Mercedes (Byram)),
but if you’ve got 3 mint condition cars (a Lambo, a Porsche, and Ferrari)… it can still be a “good deal” on paper that results in a unused and forgotten car, making it a unnecessary deal and potentially a unwise investment.
Quoting: Pompadour_de_Armstrong
I don't think they were targeting Byram or a D, but I think they were ready to move on from Mittelstad and that was the best offer. Byram has untapped potential, and I think they "won" regardless of the depth chart. But health and consistency are still big question marks. They can always balance the roster with another trade later if they need to.
Quoting: aadoyle
Idk TBL did well with 3 strong LD remember Sergechev used to be behind Hedman and McDonagh
Byram can be eased back on the third pair and u can even out the ice more
Dahlin-Samuelsson
Power-Jokiharju
Byram-Clifton
EJ
The Avs had been playing Bo a lot at RHD to start the season and there were some growing pains; it did settle down but it wasn't the best Bo we had. He stated that it took him awhile to get comfortable there but we ended up moving him back to 3rd pair LD for the rest of the season to date. He also has to find a "perfect partner" that will mesh with his playing style otherwise it doesn't work. Eric Johnson was the most successful partner he had and now they are both in Buffalo so hopefully that will help out.
What is in the water by Lake Superior that teams think lefty/righty on defense doesn't matter. 3 of the only teams in the league that have no balance are Buffalo, Toronto, and Ottawa?
The Avs had been playing Bo a lot at RHD to start the season and there were some growing pains; it did settle down but it wasn't the best Bo we had. He stated that it took him awhile to get comfortable there but we ended up moving him back to 3rd pair LD for the rest of the season to date. He also has to find a "perfect partner" that will mesh with his playing style otherwise it doesn't work. Eric Johnson was the most successful partner he had and now they are both in Buffalo so hopefully that will help out.
What is in the water by Lake Superior that teams think lefty/righty on defense doesn't matter. 3 of the only teams in the league that have no balance are Buffalo, Toronto, and Ottawa?
It’s physically pains me to move a LShot D into the RD slots.
There’s a reason why even if hockey were to “lose positions” the game naturally would still stick inline with hand types and your core D will always be 3L and 3R.
The Avs had been playing Bo a lot at RHD to start the season and there were some growing pains; it did settle down but it wasn't the best Bo we had. He stated that it took him awhile to get comfortable there but we ended up moving him back to 3rd pair LD for the rest of the season to date. He also has to find a "perfect partner" that will mesh with his playing style otherwise it doesn't work. Eric Johnson was the most successful partner he had and now they are both in Buffalo so hopefully that will help out.
What is in the water by Lake Superior that teams think lefty/righty on defense doesn't matter. 3 of the only teams in the league that have no balance are Buffalo, Toronto, and Ottawa?
Also OTT’s best move would be to find a hockey deal for Chychrun or Chabot (whoever they chose to keep, but JC must have an extension for Ottawa “in place”) and find a top pairing RD.
I think Buffalos 3LD was already great that’s why I would have as well, looked for a RD (COUGH COUGH SEAMUS CASEY IS RIGHT THERE!!!)(obviously would have been a different trade to navigate).
It’s physically pains me to move a LShot D into the RD slots.
There’s a reason why even if hockey were to “lose positions” the game naturally would still stick inline with hand types and your core D will always be 3L and 3R.
Yeah very few can do it so it should be the exception rather than the norm. It also great affects the powerplay design as you funnel pucks from the point and which hand your bumper needs to be.
Also OTT’s best move would be to find a hockey deal for Chychrun or Chabot (whoever they chose to keep, but JC must have an extension for Ottawa “in place”) and find a top pairing RD.
I think Buffalos 3LD was already great that’s why I would have as well, looked for a RD (COUGH COUGH SEAMUS CASEY IS RIGHT THERE!!!)(obviously would have been a different trade to navigate).
Meanwhile LAK sit there with so many RHD that they can send Walker to Philly, Durzi to AZ, and STILL have a logjam for playing time on the right side.
What is in the water by Lake Superior that teams think lefty/righty on defense doesn't matter. 3 of the only teams in the league that have no balance are Buffalo, Toronto, and Ottawa?
My old person hot-take will continue to be that the issue is a relatively new fascination and is overrated. Mostly a comfort level from guys who never played off hand side. It does make a difference on how you will approach a play (and especially on the PP), but no-one capable of playing top-four minutes should be unable to shift to the other side. It just takes some adjustment to get comfortable and retrain the brain a bit. Wouldn't be too keen on asking a young guy still getting confidence at this level to make changes to his game at the same time or ask a fringe defenseman to change his game around, but most guys should be able to get comfortable with a bit of time.
Doesn't mean guys won't have preferences, or that some guys won't play better on one side or the other, or that you shouldn't try to line up with those preferences in mind. Just think it's a relatively new coaching obsession to grab a dedicated number of L/R defensemen as opposed to grabbing the best four defensemen you can ice and try to find the right mix and partners for them regardless of handedness.
My old person hot-take will continue to be that the issue is a relatively new fascination and is overrated. Mostly a comfort level from guys who never played off hand side. It does make a difference on how you will approach a play (and especially on the PP), but no-one capable of playing top-four minutes should be unable to shift to the other side. It just takes some adjustment to get comfortable and retrain the brain a bit. Wouldn't be too keen on asking a young guy still getting confidence at this level to make changes to his game at the same time or ask a fringe defenseman to change his game around, but most guys should be able to get comfortable with a bit of time.
Doesn't mean guys won't have preferences, or that some guys won't play better on one side or the other, or that you shouldn't try to line up with those preferences in mind. Just think it's a relatively new coaching obsession to grab a dedicated number of L/R defensemen as opposed to grabbing the best four defensemen you can ice and try to find the right mix and partners for them regardless of handedness.
I think the speed of the game has required much quicker reactions and therefore the extra half-second of pivoting to get an off-hand player to prime passing/shooting position it does matter. Playing a puck with pressure, I do think it matters. Would love to see some analysis on it.
I think the speed of the game has required much quicker reactions and therefore the extra half-second of pivoting to get an off-hand player to prime passing/shooting position it does matter. Playing a puck with pressure, I do think it matters. Would love to see some analysis on it.
I get the arguments for. I understand it. I just say for my money, give me the best four defensemen I can ice and I'll worry about handedness later. If I had "too many" good LD or RD defensemen, I would not care. I just want the best collection of defensemen. I'm not worried about trading someone away just to have to go pick up someone with the correct handedness.
I get the arguments for. I understand it. I just say for my money, give me the best four defensemen I can ice and I'll worry about handedness later. If I had "too many" good LD or RD defensemen, I would not care. I just want the best collection of defensemen. I'm not worried about trading someone away just to have to go pick up someone with the correct handedness.
Yeah I get that too, but I do think with many players you are only getting 80-90% of their best self on their off hand. It's just physics.
Many teams like to have offhand powerplay guys so they get direct shots on goal; if you only have lefty or righty you miss out on that too. Kind of the viewpoint of having wingers on their offhands is a benefit too.
I only think Lefty/Righty matters on offensive defenseman or powerplay quarterbacks. I don't think it matters with defensive-defenseman or penalty killers.
I wonder if Ottawa and New Jersey plus a 3rd party could find a deal.
Ottawa trades whomever they don’t want to keep (TC or JC) and receive Casey plus Assets
New Jersey moves Seamus Casey while his value is so high and they have a logjam at RD
3rd party receives the defender from OTT and New Jersey receives a package of pieces they want/ need.
Casey has zero players infront of him in Ottawa except Zub, but Zub is a defensive specialist, and will not interfere with any icetime for Casey.
Casey has played a lot of LD in both juniors and NCAA (and center!). I don’t think he is as blocked as many think. If he is one of six best, he will play.
Yeah I get that too, but I do think with many players you are only getting 80-90% of their best self on their off hand. It's just physics.
Many teams like to have offhand powerplay guys so they get direct shots on goal; if you only have lefty or righty you miss out on that too. Kind of the viewpoint of having wingers on their offhands is a benefit too.
I only think Lefty/Righty matters on offensive or powerplay quarterbacks. I don't think it matters with defensive-defenseman or penalty killers.
I enjoyed playing offhand as a forward so maybe that colours my thinking, but I don't remember any fuss about handedness in the old days.