There's also the argument that the evolution of systems at the pro level has created a demand for ever faster, ever smarter, more fit, more puck-capable players, which has affected the way players are being trained and developed at the youth level.

There's much less room in the game today for goons who can't keep up, dmen who can't move the puck, goalies who can't max the percentages, and coaches who aren't x's and o's proficient.

Systems evolve, players evolve, equipment evolves, fitness evolves, medicine evolves, rules evolve, the business of the game evolves -- they're all interwoven and interdependent -- there's no separating the evolution of one from the others.





So the 1-2-2 was perfect at its inception back in the 50's?

I really don't think Lemaire and subsequent trap-adopters were content to just lift their game plans out of the pages of history and leave it at that. No, they distilled, tweaked, honed the basic principles of the 1-2-2 to suit their unique conditions and requirements. Subsequent coaches built on top of their advances. Is that not the very definition of evolution?

Now, set aside the 1-2-2 for a second...

Look at the way modern teams craft their systems around shot blocking, around puck-movement, entering the zone with possession, regrouping in the neutral zone, players constantly switching positions on the ice... those are undeniable steps forward in the way the game is structured. Those things are only possible today because of advances that couldn't have been imagined in the 50's and 70's -- composite sticks, advances in player protection, European tactics, the butterfly style, modern rink construction... those were unimaginable back in the day and have fundamentally altered the way that coaches and players approach and plan for games.
- Tomahawk

...systems...=>true...=>fact....=>I'm right, you'll see...

Nope. Rather than taking the best player available, they drafted for team needs.
- Jsaquella

Thats dumb when your talking drafting in the top 5 and if they felt Toews was the better player

I would be fine with recouping the pick that was traded for Gagne.
- PLindbergh31

Need to move Gagne, Briere, Coburn or Mez.

Top 10 pick! Top 10 pick!
- NickTheKid87

mailing it in?

Need to move Gagne, Briere, Coburn or Mez.
- stveshdy

I'd zero in on Briere and Coburn

Need to move Gagne, Briere, Coburn or Mez.
- stveshdy

I'm fine moving any of those guys. I have soured on Coburn, and Meszaros is a pretzel.

So the team need was to take the defensive minded center, opposed to the equally good defensive center, with more skill? Interesting strategy.
- PLindbergh31

No, they took the more polished player who was ready to come in and play right away.

60 80 tomatoe tomado
- JoeRussomanno

Either way, that won't cut it in the NHL.
- NickTheKid87

Who says?

So the team need was to take the defensive minded center, opposed to the equally good defensive center, with more skill? Interesting strategy.
- PLindbergh31

The team need was to take the equally highly rated two way center over the NCAA kid who wasn't seen as polished as a two way player and lacked the bloodlines.

They had Crosby and Malkin. Didn't need another guy who projected as a 1st line center. They needed a guy who could be a defensive stopper and elite third line center.

It also wasn't that big a reach. Staal was very highly rated in that draft season. In fact, McKeen's did a mock draft, where their writers voted for players and determined the draft much like awards are voted on-5 points for a 1st place vote 3 for a second, etc... and Toews came in 5th.

http://mckeenshockey.riva...om/content.asp?CID=554806

The team need was to take the equally highly rated two way center over the NCAA kid who wasn't seen as polished as a two way player and lacked the bloodlines.

They had Crosby and Malkin. Didn't need another guy who projected as a 1st line center. They needed a guy who could be a defensive stopper and elite third line center.

It also wasn't that big a reach. Staal was very highly rated in that draft season. In fact, McKeen's did a mock draft, where their writers voted for players and determined the draft much like awards are voted on-5 points for a 1st place vote 3 for a second, etc... and Toews came in 5th.

http://mckeenshockey.riva...om/content.asp?CID=554806
- Jsaquella

We were so lucky to get Giroux.

Thats dumb when your talking drafting in the top 5 and if they felt Toews was the better player
- Just5

Staal was widely seen as one of the top two or three prospects that year, as well. He was certainly more polished than Toews.

They're close but per Hockey's Future:

2007-08: While Henrique’s numbers didn’t really take a huge jump forward this year, that was more due to him playing on a deep and talented Windsor team and didn’t get the type of offensive minutes that he likely would have received had he been on another team. He recorded 22 goals and 22 assists in 62 games, along with a +17 rating. His 44 total points matched his total from the 2006-07 season. He had a solid, though short lived playoff, contributing five points in five games. The Devils likely got a good read on the type of player Henrique was while they were scouting Brad Snetsinger, and had help in earning him a selection in the third round of the 2007-08 NHL draft by New Jersey.
- NickTheKid87

The other day i was looking for info about this years draft prospects. One of the sites (maybe Rivals or Hockeyprospects) reslotted the players from this past draft. Laughten jumped into the 12th or 13th spot.

No, they took the more polished player who was ready to come in and play right away.
- bradleyc4

That would probably be the response from the brain trust who was with the Portland Trailblazers in 1984. They had just drafted Clyde Drexler the year before. So they drafted area of need and took Sam Bowie.

We were so lucky to get Giroux.
- Feanor

According to Jeff Marek, Giroux was third on the Flyers draft board behind Trevor Lewis and Bobby Sanguinetti

I'd zero in on Briere and Coburn
- Just5

Need a shake up. Not suggesting to trade the entire team but moving two players and getting some picks/prospects would be a good move.

There have been no trade rumors involving briere. He is not even on Eks chart.

I'm fine moving any of those guys. I have soured on Coburn, and Meszaros is a pretzel.
- PLindbergh31

Coburn has to be the biggest disappointment this season.

There have been no trade rumors involving briere. He is not even on Eks chart.
- Just5

So?

The Flyers might not have made him available yet. He might not get traded or bought out

Need a shake up. Not suggesting to trade the entire team but moving two players and getting some picks/prospects would be a good move.
- stveshdy

That's fine, as long as you have a plan plus 4 backups for replacing those players in the short-term. If you trade Briere, well, he really doesn't have a spot anymore. As for Coburn, you'd better have a guy who can step right in and play 18+ minutes a night in mind if you move him for picks.

Need a shake up. Not suggesting to trade the entire team but moving two players and getting some picks/prospects would be a good move.
- stveshdy

Listen I've alway liked Coburn and usually stick up for him. My eyes, my brain can't take any more flubbed one timers, shots sailing 10 ft. wide and high. I can't do it anymore.

That's fine, as long as you have a plan plus 4 backups for replacing those players in the short-term. If you trade Briere, well, he really doesn't have a spot anymore. As for Coburn, you'd better have a guy who can step right in and play 18+ minutes a night in mind if you move him for picks.
- jmatchett

That's true there would have to be a plan.

According to Jeff Marek, Giroux was third on the Flyers draft board behind Trevor Lewis and Bobby Sanguinetti
- Jsaquella

That is almost sickening to the stomach... Literally unreal lol.

So?

The Flyers might not have made him available yet. He might not get traded or bought out
- Jsaquella

Your a funny guy

According to Jeff Marek, Giroux was third on the Flyers draft board behind Trevor Lewis and Bobby Sanguinetti
- Jsaquella

Did you send a gift basket to the Rangers?

That's fine, as long as you have a plan plus 4 backups for replacing those players in the short-term. If you trade Briere, well, he really doesn't have a spot anymore. As for Coburn, you'd better have a guy who can step right in and play 18+ minutes a night in mind if you move him for picks.
- jmatchett

Why? This team isnt going anywhere. I'll worry about that in the offseason.