Pirates begin preparations for Worcester

[wildcat48]

Pirates begin preparations for Worcester

Portland, ME ? Pirates? head coach Kevin Dineen held a light, but brisk practice at the Civic Center as they prepare for Wednesday?s game against the Worcester Sharks in Massachusetts.

 

Although, the Pirates have been on a roll to start the season by going an impressive 6-1-1, Dineen refused to sit idle. Instead, he opted to spend most of the time in practice working on forward drills, specifically on the forward?s defensive coverage on the transition.

 

Maine Hockey Journal>>>>>>

[LabattBlue]

?It?s nice to have that versatility. I met with him a few days before (the road trip) and I was really enjoying watching him playing defense. We talked about a lot of things defensively. I told him how my long-term play was to keep him on defense and two days later, I had to tell him he had to play forward.?

 

 

Call me confused, but shouldn't this be Lindy and Darcy's call? Granted, Dineen could just be repeating the directive from Buffalo(It's hard to tell from the quote).

 

I'll stick to my guns and say we could use more depth in the system at forward vs. defense and unless Gragnani has done a 180 in the offseason, I think his best bet in terms of an NHL career would be at forward.

[shrader]

It's an interesting situation. As of today, they need more depth on D, but that will change quickly over the next year or two. The best move for his career would be the stability of playing one position and not being bounced back and forth, but unfortunately, it doesn't look like they have that luxury.

[Hawerchuk]

Another little tidbit via BUF NEWS:

 

Miller and Vanek aren?t the only players in the organization tearing up their league. Several players in Portland are making an impact as well.

 

Tim Kennedy entered Tuesday night leading American Hockey League rookies with 12 points, which ranks 15th overall. Mark Mancari?s 14 points had him tied for third. Nathan Gerbe has seven goals in the Pirates? first eight games, which ranks tied for fifth.

 

The Pirates sat atop the Eastern Conference?s Atlantic Division at 6-1-1. Goaltenders Jhonas Enroth and Adam Dennis are both 3-1, and Enroth?s save percentage of .925 ranked 10th in the AHL.

:thumbsup:

[wildcat48]

?It?s nice to have that versatility. I met with him a few days before (the road trip) and I was really enjoying watching him playing defense. We talked about a lot of things defensively. I told him how my long-term play was to keep him on defense and two days later, I had to tell him he had to play forward.?

Call me confused, but shouldn't this be Lindy and Darcy's call? Granted, Dineen could just be repeating the directive from Buffalo(It's hard to tell from the quote).

 

I'll stick to my guns and say we could use more depth in the system at forward vs. defense and unless Gragnani has done a 180 in the offseason, I think his best bet in terms of an NHL career would be at forward.

 

When they play in Portland, it's Dineen who is in charge. Yes, Regier and Ruff are consulted and input is used, but Dineen is trying to develop players and win, using the players he has on the roster.

[Two or less]

^^ I'm gonna take a wild guess and say, if Ruff wants Gragnani at forward, he'll play at forward for Dineen as well. It's not nuts and bolts.

[carpandean]

When they play in Portland, it's Dineen who is in charge. Yes, Regier and Ruff are consulted and input is used, but Dineen is trying to develop players and win, using the players he has on the roster.

True, but ultimately Dineen is hired to coach the Sabres' young players as they see fit, as much as (if not more than) he is hired to make Portland a winning team. Darcy and Lindy won't and shouldn't micromanage how Dineen does that, but they definitely have the final say about where they want their prospects to go. If the Sabres say "we want Gragnani to be a forward," then that is how Dineen should mold him. Likewise, if the Sabres want him to be a defenseman, then that's how Dineen should mold him. It would be one thing for Dineen to say "I have some injuries at forward and need to use him as a forward for a couple of games", but it would be a whole different story if he were to say "I know you want him as a defenseman, but I'm making him into a forward." That isn't to say that Darcy and Lindy shouldn't listen to Dineen about his potential at each position -- he has direct eyes-on contact with Gragnani just about every day -- but in the end, it is their player, so it is their call.

[tom webster]

The other option would be for the FO to convince TG that they need to sign 3 more players. By my count, the Sabres have 47 players under contract which gives them 3 more spots to fill.

If they have enough players under contract, Portland doesn't have to scramble around looking for players.

That being said, since this is their first year back at having their own affiliation, we can give them a little slack on signing a few players and working out a deal with the ECHL to let them play when they aren't needed in Portland.

The last option would be to force Gogulla and Persson to play in Portland but I don't think that have the hammer here.

[LabattBlue]

True, but ultimately Dineen is hired to coach the Sabres' young players as they see fit, as much as (if not more than) he is hired to make Portland a winning team. Darcy and Lindy won't and shouldn't micromanage how Dineen does that, but they definitely have the final say about where they want their prospects to go. If the Sabres say "we want Gragnani to be a forward," then that is how Dineen should mold him. Likewise, if the Sabres want him to be a defenseman, then that's how Dineen should mold him. It would be one thing for Dineen to say "I have some injuries at forward and need to use him as a forward for a couple of games", but it would be a whole different story if he were to say "I know you want him as a defenseman, but I'm making him into a forward." That isn't to say that Darcy and Lindy shouldn't listen to Dineen about his potential at each position -- he has direct eyes-on contact with Gragnani just about every day -- but in the end, it is their player, so it is their call.

My feelings exactly. I just didn't want to type as much. :D Well said!