I think it's pretty close between the two, because while D's are not as implicated in the play, they have more ice time than Centers. Gilbert should play close to 18-20 minutes a night with 2nd special units time. I think top4 D's are as important as Centers in that aspect.
- QuebecPride

If the centers don't get the puck from the D they can't control it. If the centers are poop it doesn't really matter if you give them the puck.

I think it's pretty close between the two, because while D's are not as implicated in the play, they have more ice time than Centers. Gilbert should play close to 18-20 minutes a night with 2nd special units time. I think top4 D's are as important as Centers in that aspect.
- QuebecPride

but i don't see your dmen as the guys who maintain possession. they initiate, yes, but it's got to be your forwards who excel down low and protect the puck.

BTW... chew on this...

IMO Jimmy Fallon outright rocks!!!

If the centers don't get the puck from the D they can't control it. If the centers are poop it doesn't really matter if you give them the puck.
- Fredobface

right because your forwards will just cough up possession.
where i see the Dmen helping this year (Gilbert/Beaulieu instead of Gorges/Murray/Bouillon) is helping Montreal get hemmed into their zone less by moving the puck more efficiently.

watching Montreal play LA and SJ last year was... just a soul-crushing experience.
though for whatever reason, they played the Ducks well.
- DoubleDown

IT was terrible.

true, he's got a nice mouth. and great eyes.
- DoubleDown

I want to frame them on my wall.

...and make a blanket of his skin.

but i don't see your dmen as the guys who maintain possession. they initiate, yes, but it's got to be your forwards who excel down low and protect the puck.
- DoubleDown

Pk being an exception.

(frank) can he skate with the puck.

BTW... chew on this...

IMO Jimmy Fallon outright rocks!!!


- Tee-Dot

Okay but nobody asked.

Pk being an exception.

(frank) can he skate with the puck.
- WaterBoy

i wonder what Kovalev's advanced stats would have been. he was always so great at protecting the puck and maintaining possession. maybe he would have been more appreciated today.

Pk being an exception.

(frank) can he skate with the puck.
- WaterBoy

Beaulieu can to if they let him.

Fire Therrien

no idea.
- Pecafan Fan

You know Uncle Acid?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yACaB6fzt_c

I'm actually a pretty normal guy
- dt99999

you're a looney

i wonder what Kovalev's advanced stats would have been. he was always so great at protecting the puck and maintaining possession. maybe he would have been more appreciated today.
- DoubleDown

maybe.

I'd love to see a stats that shows the corsi/fenwick when the HAbs win and when they lose.

Beaulieu can to if they let him.

Fire Therrien
- Fredobface

It will come.

maybe.

I'd love to see a stats that shows the corsi/fenwick when the HAbs win and when they loose.
- WaterBoy

loose what?

Okay but nobody asked.
- PepinoPamplemousse

What the h is a PepinoPamplemousse anyway?

Gainey hired as consultant for the blues coaching staff.

but i don't see your dmen as the guys who maintain possession. they initiate, yes, but it's got to be your forwards who excel down low and protect the puck.
- DoubleDown

Dmen maintain possession if they are good puck movers. It's pretty easy to understand that a tape-to-tape pass has a better rate of success than a chip high on the glass. They also maintain possession by supporting the attack, something Murray and Gorges were poor at.

Gilbert can get out of trouble with his intelligence and his skating unlike the two aforementioned players who had for sole solution to flip the puck in the neutral zone.

Up front, there have not been major changes, but one could argue that losing Moen and replacing him by Weise should be good for possession. Ditto for Brière vs Sekac.

Dmen maintain possession if they are good puck movers. It's pretty easy to understand that a tape-to-tape pass has a better rate of success than a chip high on the glass. They also maintain possession by supporting the attack, something Murray and Gorges were poor at.

Gilbert can get out of trouble with his intelligence and his skating unlike the two aforementioned players who had for sole solution to flip the puck in the neutral zone.

Up front, there have not been major changes, but one could argue that losing Moen and replacing him by Weise should be good for possession. Ditto for Brière vs Sekac.
- QuebecPride

3 top 10 puck possessions team last year.

NJ at 7, Ott and Car 9th and 10.

Who cares...

Wait, Halak is with the Islanders?

3 top 10 puck possessions team last year.

NJ at 7, Ott and Car 9th and 10.

Who cares...
- WaterBoy

More pucks in the opponent's net, generally tell the tale..

More pucks in the opponent's net, generally tell the tale..
- pete26

Not an advanced enough stat.

Most of them may be empty netters. Like Pacioretty

More pucks in the opponent's net, generally tell the tale..
- pete26

Would be nice to see the Habs do that.

3 top 10 puck possessions team last year.

NJ at 7, Ott and Car 9th and 10.

Who cares...
- WaterBoy

It's certainly not a perfect science. But it's a good tool to use to evaluate players/teams. Its best aspect(and most likely why it's so popular) is that you don't have to see play a team/player to have a rough idea of what they are. Scouting in person drains a lot of time, let me tell you.

Not an advanced enough stat.

Most of them may be empty netters. Like Pacioretty
- Fredobface

Pacioemptynetty lol