all this comes from a canadian (not from montreal), very few quotes just general thoughts. high high quality hockey mind. i hold his thoughts at or above the level of the sr mods here at bp (in hockey discussion, not football half of those guys think football has three downs.)
commodore brought in for personality, character and as a player will fit will. shut down guy, not quick or fast, rugged. no baggage. loose but serious as hell. something needed after some fiery veterans.
tyutin plays the L pt, untapped offensive upside. straka plays his pt for the NYR. excellent contract.
backman R point-left shot.
nash has a good game, more there, truely has unbelieveable if he wants it. not ovie or sid sexy, blue collar. more there, will hitch and rick find it. if its there hitch will find it. projection as one of the best two way players in the world, reach, size, strength could make rick awesome. probably wont be the goal scorer he could have been, but with hitch hell be a better player and his team will win more than if he was a scorer. "chance at unbelieveable"
pp-last year no R pt on the team, operated basically off the left side, caused the power play to be meager. should increase the effectiveness of the unit with a R pt on the team now. not a great one, serviceable. unit wont be great. will be better.
mayorov, played in a low level in russia. low level jr low. (not ohl/q/whl low, lower...) quick to the net, one step on dman and hes got you beat, can get to the net, potential force, needs to imporve. has had 3 weeks in north america and has improved. will continue, he hopes/thinks. euro game (big ice) has resulted in relying on outside play (aka hes not driving to the net, getting to the net, not playing the tough parts of the ice) hes learing the north american game and will improve.
klesal, finding his role. suprised to find out after the deadline klesla can play against top lines. actually more effective slotted higher? time will tell...
this will be the first time in franchise history with 4 lines, 3 pairings. more depth, guys slotted down, as they should be. still relying on younger guys (good and bad).
jake and brassard add scorers and guys who can play on top lines. last year only scorer was nash, add modin as his year was lost to injury.
jake plays north south game for a young player. added size, lost % body fat. still not chiseled rip build, not everyone is, likely more room for improvement like many players-typical of this age. plays the game with speed, plays through the NZ, carries the puck and can play the puck in the NZ.
pazzy-can steal games, period. hopes he stays healthy (he loves netminders-like myself)
cbj are "unknown" team. none of the 4 lines they will ice have ever played together. chemistry will be important in the this team. this team has added depth, guys will be slotted down the line up from where they were last year-a good thing. still will rely on youth-good/bad.
he felt like they were a playoff team during the eastern conf canada roadie last year, feb? yes could have made it, would have lost in first round. team actually played better after the deadline (foote/feds trades), with those moves they didnt have the depth to compete. that showed. guys stepped up, guys wanted it, guys improved, guys elevated there games, all good things.
team built on pace and tempo, will roll 4 lines, 3 pairs, they will wear teams out, earn wins. typical hitch hockey.
prediction from him-no prediction. general statement was team capable of 7th spot. 10th wouldnt suprise him. playoff bubble team.
I guess I don't understand that with all the moves that they have made this off-season to improve the team. If they don't make the playoffs this year. I think the fan base in Columbus will erode and people will begin to wonder what is going on with this franchise.
