Might aswell Contimplate Defensive Pairings!

[cmw00]

So with our recent trade what would our blue line look like?

[Stormbringer]

Hmmmm...

Wes and Heddy
Hilly and Ward
Boogie and Wallin
St. Jacques and Malec (Assuming they survive training camp.)

[Shell]

My guess is:

Hill and Wesley
Hedican and St Jacques
Aaron Ward and Bob Boughner
Wallin 7th d man

The only reason I put Bruno up so high is because Hedi seems to do well with the youngsters, and Bruno impresses me and I'd like to see what he did with the chance. Of course, as with all of my opinions, I could be completely off.

[puckin_A]

I want to see Bruno stay up. JR said that Malec will play in Lowell and be
ready to be called up at anytime.

[Guyute]

actually, my pairings are about the same as Shell's.

one switch I could see happening would be to put Hedican and Wesley together, and Hill and Bruno together. Yes, Hedican enjoyed playing with (mentoring) Tanabe. But, Tanabe was a much different player than Bruno. Hill might be a much better teacher for Bruno's style. and Hedican and Wesley together wouldn't be a bad pair either.

[HockeyPat]

If we sign Danny,#1 Wesley-Hill, #2 Hedican-Markov, and #3 Boughner-St. Jacques with Wallin and possibly Malec as the extra

If Danny say Nyet, then #1 Wesley-Hill, #2 Hedican-Ward, and #3 Boughner-St. Jacques with Wallin and possibly Malec as the extra.

I'd liked to see Malec play a solid year at Lowell as a DEFENSEMAN. But he would be a great emergency call if we need him.

I really want to sign Markov now. We would have a really good D in front of Weekes and it could possibly open some things up for The Big O and Vrbata. With the dump and chase being the norm, I could even see the Adams lighting the lamp with more consistency

[Tatfever]

I'd liked to see Malec play a solid year at Lowell as a DEFENSEMAN. But he would be a great emergency call if we need him.


That is the only position Malec has played in Lowell in his 1+ seasons being here. I would see no reason to change that. But if they do, I will let you know.
As excited as you folks are about Boughner in Carolina, I am excited to know that Malec will be here for the year in Lowell. :D

[cmw00]

You guys really think Boughner will Play in the 3rd pairing? I would think he be better off in the 2nd or 1st, but more than likey the 2nd.

[HockeyPat]

They experimented with Malec playing the wing some last year. I don't think it really worked out that well. He is a pretty tough defenseman and would do really well paired with Boughner. That would scare the hell of Tucker. LOL. Remember Malec staring down that maple loser last year?

I think Boughner should and will get alot of ice time, but I still stand by my original pairings. I want St Jacques to spend alot of time playing with someone of Boogs' work ethic. Hey this guys is going to be a great addition to this team, but it will really all come down to chemistry and we won’t know that until pre-season.

[Captain Slack]

Remember Malec staring down that maple loser last year?

Twice, if I recall! :beatup: :D

[cmw00]

I think Boughner should and will get alot of ice time,

I do too! Which is why I was wondering about putting him all the way down in the 3rd pairing.


Either way, if we keep our top dmen we have now and adding Boughner is going to assure us 3 solid tough pairings on the blue line.

[stewart123]

Sorry, I'm pretty vanilla when it comes to defensive pairings..

Wesley and Hill
Hedican and Boughner
Ward and Wallin
St. Jacques 7th.

[HockeyPat]

I could see Boughner playing in the second pairing. That will all depend on how well he and Hedican can play together, particularly if Ward stays and Markov plays in Russia. That could work with a sweet skater like Brett pairing with a slower but more punishing player like the Boogieman. It would definitely be a defense first/defense second kind of thing.

Wesley and Hill do well together when Hill keeps his wits about him. I think Markov will get signed and would do well with Hedican. I love the idea of St. Jacques playing with a player like Boughner. I would adjust minutes on a game by game basis. Not to punish anyone, but see how well things are going and use the guys that fit the situation.

Wallin would be a good 7th man. I don’t think he is bad, he just has never stepped his game up like a less experienced player should each season.

[Jeff O Rocks]

But, Tanabe was a much different player than Bruno. Hill might be a much better teacher for Bruno's style. and Hedican and Wesley together wouldn't be a bad pair either.

I agree guyute.....Bruno is a very independent player and very physical...unlike Dave who seemed to me like he needed his hand held constantly and was timid in bringing the puck up the ice.. I think Bruno on the same line with Hilly would be very entertaining.....and prosperous...

[folgersnyourcup]

Wallin would be a good 7th man. I don’t think he is bad, he just has never stepped his game up like a less experienced player should each season.

We'll have to make sure to change things around though in terms of Wallin come playoff time though! ;)

Getting Boughner is great and he should be a nice addition but why not splurge a little bit and give Markov the 3 million he wants and insure that he plays for us next season? He is definitely one HELL of a defenseman. I realize JR wants to keep costs down, he still has more players that need to be signed, and is already spending more than he wanted to, but I'm sure some money could be freed up somewhere to use towards Markov! I'll agree with what has been said about Ward, I like him but if letting him go makes the 3 million necessary to acquire Markov look better to JR then I'm all for it.... JR has specifically mentioned Ward in recent months in interviews about the state of the team next year.

I would not be pissed off either way though. If Ward stays and Markov does not come then I would be fine with Ward. But if Ward is sent off and Markov becomes a 'Cane I would be fine with that as well. :D

[puckin_A]

if we could find a place for Irbe, that would free up extra money for Markov.

sorry ARchie!! you know I love you!!

[ontheboards]

It would be sweet as hell to sign Markov-- if it happened, it would really make the team a contender-- but asking Rutherford to cough up more than market value would only serve to swell an already enlarged Russian head at this time. JR offered MORE than Markov's arbitration value and that
wasn't enough for Markov or his agent. Let him play in Russia! But first and foremost don't pay him more than he's worth and certainly let's avoid a Primeau-like battle, which this has the potential of becoming. In the meantime, I'm happy with the defence as it is and the addition of the Boogey Man-- (I gotta boogey, I gotta boogey...I gotta boogey on my finger and can't shake it off! -- old SNL skit)

[nccanes]

It would be sweet as hell to sign Markov-- if it happened, it would really make the team a contender-- but asking Rutherford to cough up more than market value would only serve to swell an already enlarged Russian head at this time. JR offered MORE than Markov's arbitration value and that
wasn't enough for Markov or his agent. Let him play in Russia! But first and foremost don't pay him more than he's worth and certainly let's avoid a Primeau-like battle, which this has the potential of becoming.

In my opinion there is zero chance that the Markov situation become anything resembling the Primeau situation. Keith was the Captain and had actually worn the Hurricanes uni. Markov's situation is totally different.

That said, I'm certain that if JR can work a deal with Markov he will gladly do so. Then he'll likely trade away Wallin and/or Ward. Ward is the more likely candidate since he makes more than Wallin. At least that's what I'd expect.

Can anyone answer this? Would Markov's agent get a % of the Russian contract? Or do they only handle NHL contracts?

[ontheboards]

I don't know about a zero chance of this turning into Primadonna-like negotiations. During his interview on 850 AM late last week, Rutherford indicated he was working toward thwarting any chance that these negotiations would turn into a Primeau-like situation. Alluded to the idea that either Markov wants more money or a trade and JR not about to trade his rights. I really wonder who is driving the negotions-- Markov or the agent? And will these negotiations affect the negotiations between Big Joe and the Canes? as Joe and Markov share the same agent.

[talkingcanes]

I agree the Markov situation is completely different. He's never been on the ice as a Cane. And if it works out, then great. If not, then we still got Tanabe traded and it sounds more and more as if that was sorely needed for team chemistry to improve. Hopefully it will still work out, but Primeau captained this team and that alone makes it very different IMO.

If Joe's negotiations are adversely affected because he shares an agent with Markov, then Joe needs a more professional agent in his corner.

[Jeff O Rocks]

My concern about this situation with Markov is after all the tossling of getting him to sign...IF he does, he may not be happy and will toy with the idea the entire season that he made a mistake and be totally lifeless on the ice.... :roll:

..and then again..he could be the best thing to happen to the Canes...very hard!!

[cmw00]

IF he does, he may not be happy and will toy with the idea the entire season that he made a mistake and be totally lifeless on the ice.... rolleyes.gif

And if that happens I'm sure he'd be quickly benched scratched or traded, that is if Paul and Jim have any sense of managing and coaching about them. But even then we still let Tannabe play.

[folgersnyourcup]

My concern about this situation with Markov is after all the tossling of getting him to sign...IF he does, he may not be happy and will toy with the idea the entire season that he made a mistake and be totally lifeless on the ice.... :roll:

..and then again..he could be the best thing to happen to the Canes...very hard!!

I was thinking the EXACT same thing! I made it one of my first posts over at fanhome putting that situation out as a hypothetical situation though I was hoping it wouldn't be the case and was promptly ridiculed by a poster there.... :sad:

[Jeff O Rocks]

My concern about this situation with Markov is after all the tossling of getting him to sign...IF he does, he may not be happy and will toy with the idea the entire season that he made a mistake and be totally lifeless on the ice.... :roll:

..and then again..he could be the best thing to happen to the Canes...very hard!!

I was thinking the EXACT same thing! I made it one of my first posts over at fanhome putting that situation out as a hypothetical situation though I was hoping it wouldn't be the case and was promptly ridiculed by a poster there.... :sad:

That is the JOY of being in lgc.com folg!! ;)