Comments on: The most wonderful time of the year http://inthecheapseats.com/avs-previews/10-03-2007/the-most-wonderful-time-of-the-year Colorado Avalanche recaps, stats and analysis Thu, 28 Aug 2008 15:57:57 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: Mike Thompson http://inthecheapseats.com/avs-previews/10-03-2007/the-most-wonderful-time-of-the-year#comment-1704 Mike Thompson Thu, 04 Oct 2007 14:22:43 +0000 http://inthecheapseats.com/archives/308#comment-1704 Good game, IMO. I though the D pairing worked well together and Leopold was arguably the best blueliner out there last night. Hannan started slow, but was more of a factor as the game went on. The story will be Son of Statsny, of course. All three goals were beautiful, particularly the setup on the 3rd. The H-link may be everything Hejduk advertised him to be. I'm concerned with how Svatos is supposed to have a bounce-back year playing on the 3rd and 4th lines. Unfortunately, with the current lineup, I doubt he'll ever crack the top two. It then falls to Joey Q. to truly roll three lines for offense, which I didn't really see last night, even when they were up 3 goals. I'll have to try and pay closer attention tonight to see if the 3rd line gets enough ice to be effective. Ohh, and SOMEBODY needs to win a D-zone faceoff!!! Good game, IMO. I though the D pairing worked well together and Leopold was arguably the best blueliner out there last night. Hannan started slow, but was more of a factor as the game went on.

The story will be Son of Statsny, of course. All three goals were beautiful, particularly the setup on the 3rd. The H-link may be everything Hejduk advertised him to be. I’m concerned with how Svatos is supposed to have a bounce-back year playing on the 3rd and 4th lines. Unfortunately, with the current lineup, I doubt he’ll ever crack the top two. It then falls to Joey Q. to truly roll three lines for offense, which I didn’t really see last night, even when they were up 3 goals. I’ll have to try and pay closer attention tonight to see if the 3rd line gets enough ice to be effective.

Ohh, and SOMEBODY needs to win a D-zone faceoff!!!

]]> By: thedoctor http://inthecheapseats.com/avs-previews/10-03-2007/the-most-wonderful-time-of-the-year#comment-1703 thedoctor Wed, 03 Oct 2007 22:56:27 +0000 http://inthecheapseats.com/archives/308#comment-1703 i agree, parker is not an "offensive" agitator option -- he's a defense against those types. in addition, his skills aren't the worst i've ever seen for an enforcer -- he's actually gotten better as his career has gone on, imo. he's not a total loss when in the lineup. i think he's worth it even if it's mostly as a psychological security blanket for the team. they know that someone has their back in ALL situations, be it lappy or parker. i agree, parker is not an “offensive” agitator option — he’s a defense against those types. in addition, his skills aren’t the worst i’ve ever seen for an enforcer — he’s actually gotten better as his career has gone on, imo. he’s not a total loss when in the lineup.

i think he’s worth it even if it’s mostly as a psychological security blanket for the team. they know that someone has their back in ALL situations, be it lappy or parker.

]]> By: Dario http://inthecheapseats.com/avs-previews/10-03-2007/the-most-wonderful-time-of-the-year#comment-1702 Dario Wed, 03 Oct 2007 19:25:27 +0000 http://inthecheapseats.com/archives/308#comment-1702 I'm willing to entertain that argument Doc. I just don't see a lot of elite teams in the NHL that have a big enforcer for Parker to go against. Why does Lappy have to do that anyway? Probably because the other heavy weight was able to take liberties on our guys. Parker doesn't take liberties on other players because he doesn't have the skill set to do so without taking a penalty (5 minute interference anyone?). I think guys like Lappy, McCarty etc... play more important roles when your heavy weight can only play five minutes a game. I’m willing to entertain that argument Doc. I just don’t see a lot of elite teams in the NHL that have a big enforcer for Parker to go against. Why does Lappy have to do that anyway? Probably because the other heavy weight was able to take liberties on our guys. Parker doesn’t take liberties on other players because he doesn’t have the skill set to do so without taking a penalty (5 minute interference anyone?).

I think guys like Lappy, McCarty etc… play more important roles when your heavy weight can only play five minutes a game.

]]> By: thedoctor http://inthecheapseats.com/avs-previews/10-03-2007/the-most-wonderful-time-of-the-year#comment-1701 thedoctor Wed, 03 Oct 2007 17:19:57 +0000 http://inthecheapseats.com/archives/308#comment-1701 you've gotta have parker to counter the giant enforcers of the league. if he's not at least available, someone who shouldn't be fighting to fedoruks of the league (lappy) will end up fighting him, or no one will fight him at all. and we know what that's like from the '97 avs, who got totally pushed around without Simon around. you’ve gotta have parker to counter the giant enforcers of the league. if he’s not at least available, someone who shouldn’t be fighting to fedoruks of the league (lappy) will end up fighting him, or no one will fight him at all. and we know what that’s like from the ‘97 avs, who got totally pushed around without Simon around.

]]> By: Draft Dodger http://inthecheapseats.com/avs-previews/10-03-2007/the-most-wonderful-time-of-the-year#comment-1700 Draft Dodger Wed, 03 Oct 2007 16:40:32 +0000 http://inthecheapseats.com/archives/308#comment-1700 Agreed on Parker. If I'm not mistaken, the fighting major in the 5th preseason game (against Dallas) was his first fight since the trade. For a guy who really has just one skill, he doesn't seem to be using it an awful lot. Agreed on Parker. If I’m not mistaken, the fighting major in the 5th preseason game (against Dallas) was his first fight since the trade. For a guy who really has just one skill, he doesn’t seem to be using it an awful lot.

]]> By: Dario http://inthecheapseats.com/avs-previews/10-03-2007/the-most-wonderful-time-of-the-year#comment-1699 Dario Wed, 03 Oct 2007 15:57:56 +0000 http://inthecheapseats.com/archives/308#comment-1699 The Rockies playoff game has pushed the Avalanche in to the footnote section of every sports section in the papers and news broadcast. I feel like the only one in Denver thinking about the Avs. I'm not sure what to think about those defensive pairings, I want Hannan and Leo together to cover top pairings but it seems the coaches are taking a parity approach to defense. I do like the philosophy of stay at home defensemen paired with more offensive minded partners, it could still work well. I'm looking forward to seeing our PK and if it's as bad as it seemed during preseason. I also want to see if that PP is as dominate as it seemed. Basically, I'm looking forward to watching a game to catch the nuances of play that just never show up in a box score or recap in the news. As a footnote, I just don't get Parker. He's intimidating to me and I'm sure most normally adjusted people looking at the guy. However, in the current NHL he can't make you fight. He can't skate well enough to line up crushing hits, he's not remarkable on defense and his offensive upside is hindered by his inability to get back on D quick enough so he never goes too far into the offensive zone anyway. Deep down I like Parker because of his AHL exploits and his old school attitude. I just don't know how he helps you win hockey games. The Rockies playoff game has pushed the Avalanche in to the footnote section of every sports section in the papers and news broadcast. I feel like the only one in Denver thinking about the Avs.

I’m not sure what to think about those defensive pairings, I want Hannan and Leo together to cover top pairings but it seems the coaches are taking a parity approach to defense. I do like the philosophy of stay at home defensemen paired with more offensive minded partners, it could still work well.

I’m looking forward to seeing our PK and if it’s as bad as it seemed during preseason. I also want to see if that PP is as dominate as it seemed. Basically, I’m looking forward to watching a game to catch the nuances of play that just never show up in a box score or recap in the news.

As a footnote, I just don’t get Parker. He’s intimidating to me and I’m sure most normally adjusted people looking at the guy. However, in the current NHL he can’t make you fight. He can’t skate well enough to line up crushing hits, he’s not remarkable on defense and his offensive upside is hindered by his inability to get back on D quick enough so he never goes too far into the offensive zone anyway. Deep down I like Parker because of his AHL exploits and his old school attitude. I just don’t know how he helps you win hockey games.

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