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Around the NHL: 2015-2016


LGR4GM

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I'm siding with 3putt on ROR. ROR does not play a heavy or physical game. His game is more tenacious and courageous in style, with higher than average hockey IQ and wits.

 

Just because he's moving around everywhere and on players, doesn't make it physical like the label is typically used. E. Kane has a physical game. Foligno has a physical game. ROR does not bring anything like that. And that's okay, BTW.

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This is purely semantics, but for me physical =/= heavy.

I don't think it's semantics at all, I think there's a huge difference. One can play physical without throwing body checks.

 

3putt, I just can't get past your "avoids contact like the plague" language. It simply isn't true at all. No, he doesn't throw a lot of checks, but that has nothing to do with physically engaging, which he does as willingly as anyone else. I'll agree he doesn't play a heavy game, but that's quite different from your original language IMO.

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I don't think it's semantics at all, I think there's a huge difference. One can play physical without throwing body checks.

3putt, I just can't get past your "avoids contact like the plague" language. It simply isn't true at all. No, he doesn't throw a lot of checks, but that has nothing to do with physically engaging, which he does as willingly as anyone else. I'll agree he doesn't play a heavy game, but that's quite different from your original language IMO.

Often times the play requires the first man to take the body of the puck carrier while a teammate picks up the loose puck. ROR seldom does this. Rather, he will engage in a stick battle to retrieve possession. He is effective, but that does not force competent puck carriers to rush a pass or force a dump. Eliminating a puck carrier to allow your teammate to collect it creates a numbers advantage and space. His first instinct is stick check. I differentiate stick battles, which are more skill dependent, from body checks and don't think of them as engaging in contact. Does ROR pressure? Yes. Does he force turnovers? Yes. Is he effective? Yes. Is he physical? In my opinion, no. I responded to the assertion that Jack wasn't physical. He is. He seeks contact. Does he reach? Yes. But I believe some of it comes from his inexperience. I hope he does it less going forward.
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Often times the play requires the first man to take the body of the puck carrier while a teammate picks up the loose puck. ROR seldom does this. Rather, he will engage in a stick battle to retrieve possession. He is effective, but that does not force competent puck carriers to rush a pass or force a dump. Eliminating a puck carrier to allow your teammate to collect it creates a numbers advantage and space. His first instinct is stick check. I differentiate stick battles, which are more skill dependent, from body checks and don't think of them as engaging in contact. Does ROR pressure? Yes. Does he force turnovers? Yes. Is he effective? Yes. Is he physical? In my opinion, no. I responded to the assertion that Jack wasn't physical. He is. He seeks contact. Does he reach? Yes. But I believe some of it comes from his inexperience. I hope he does it less going forward.

 

The big difference I perceive is, ROR gets in tight to make those plays.  He may not be initiating contact, but he is in where contact occurs.  All too often Eichel is doing it from stick length away.  It is a much more effective play done in where contact is more likely.  to be honest, I get the impression that young Jack is still intimidated by NHL contact.

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The big difference I perceive is, ROR gets in tight to make those plays.  He may not be initiating contact, but he is in where contact occurs.  All too often Eichel is doing it from stick length away.  It is a much more effective play done in where contact is more likely.  to be honest, I get the impression that young Jack is still intimidated by NHL contact.

At times it does appear that way. Considering his age & experience level, it isn't surprising.

 

I expect that to go away w/ experience. He still hasn't recieved that "welcome to the NHL kid" hit (I can't recall 1 anyway); though he has avoided a couple spectacularly. Yes, I'm looking at you Johnny Brother-of-Girlchuk. ;)

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At times it does appear that way. Considering his age & experience level, it isn't surprising.

 

I expect that to go away w/ experience. He still hasn't recieved that "welcome to the NHL kid" hit (I can't recall 1 anyway); though he has avoided a couple spectacularly. Yes, I'm looking at you Johnny Brother-of-Girlchuk. ;)

 

I agree.  I expect it will change.  But right now it is really my only criticism of his play.

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So, who locked the Sabres Brass Leaf Fan thread? Was it PA? Mods?

 

I don't think he would have locked it, but if it was a mod it was a stealthy under the radar move, as usually when a mod (chz anyway) locks a thread they usually post some kind of closing / locking post to clearly indicate that a mod has pulled the plug.

 

Is there anyway to tell what time a thread was locked? I think I'll do a little digging.

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