Defence

[killer]

There has not been alot of talk about our defence for this upcoming season...........what should be expect from the back end for this coming season?

[bjindaho]

What I'd like to see is:
Grant-McNeil
Sauve-Rioux
Amyot-Stich

Roll the d pairings evenly.

I'd like to see Rioux-Sauve first unit PP, with Grant-Stich as the second unit.
For the PK, I'd like to see Amyot-Stich first pairing, and Grant-Sauve as the second.

Rioux and Sauve both are able to wrist and slap the puck which will create more on the PP, whereas Grant and Stich have cannons but have trouble getting shots through.

Stich-Amyot combines our best shotblockers / best garbage-clearers. Sauve and Grant are our best two defensemen after that.

I think Grant is capable of 10-15 goals. Sauve anywhere from 10-20. Stich is capable of 5-10. Amyot is capable of 1-3. McNeil 1-3. Rioux could hit 10-15. And if Despres hits 3, I'd be happy.

[killer]

According to your lineup we will have our 1st overall pick sitting in the stands.............I think Despres will be on the 3rd pairing while McNeil will have spot duty until injuries occur.

Stich is the best shot blocker followed by Grant then Sauve, I didn't see Amyot block near as many as those 3 players

Grant should hi the 20 Goal plateau and chip in with 10 fights

[bjindaho]

We have the luxury of being able to sit Despres in the stands, and to ease him in. Even if we do go with Despres, I think Grant is the best partner choice.

Amyot's shot-blocking and stick work doesn't get the due it deserves as he wasn't playing anywhere near the minutes he deserved.

As for Grant hitting 20 goals and 10 fights, I think 20 is a little high because of Beaulieu's strict keep it simple philosophy (unless that changes, which would obliterate my guesses). 10 fights is probably the starting point on where I'd guess, with him possibly getting as many as 15-20.

That being said, these are all just my opinions. I'd like to see Despres play as sparingly as Amyot did last year in the first half, though I'd give him the opportunity to get more ice time if he plays well.

[habsfan]

grant-depres
sauve-stich
rioux-amyot
mcneil

[canucklehead]

habsfan said:

grant-depres
sauve-stich
rioux-amyot
mcneil

I hope your not saying Despres in the top pairing with Grant cuz that would be just plain crazy dude.

Despres will play likely the 7th Dman and maybe with injuries or some experience work his way into the 5 / 6 spot.

Grant / Stich
Sauve / Amyot
Rioux / Despres
McNeil

It may not start out this way but I just feel like Despres will end up getting more icetime as the season moves along and Rioux will be expected to spend time working with him.

[habsfan]

canucklehead said:

habsfan said:

grant-depres
sauve-stich
rioux-amyot
mcneil

I hope your not saying Despres in the top pairing with Grant cuz that would be just plain crazy dude.

Despres will play likely the 7th Dman and maybe with injuries or some experience work his way into the 5 / 6 spot.

Grant / Stich
Sauve / Amyot
Rioux / Despres
McNeil

It may not start out this way but I just feel like Despres will end up getting more icetime as the season moves along and Rioux will be expected to spend time working with him.

that doesent nessisarrily has to be the order..and theres no way he'll be a 7 d man..they will obviously play him

[elementz]

What I would like to see and why

Grant/Stich - I always thought Grant and Stich worked extremely well together. They complement each other very well.
Sauve/Amyot - Sauve is the man and is ready to step up big time. I think Amyot is one of the most under-rated, under-appreciated player. He is a very smart player.
Rioux/Despres - I think it makes sense to have the rookie Despres under the guidance of veteran Rioux.
McNeil

[markofthebeast]

You guys have 9 19 yo's on your roster in a year when your not competing, it seems a little top heavy. Now I understand that 7 of the 9 are fwd I'm thinking probably only 3 or 4 of them are returning but I can also see them getting rid of one of your d-men (probably McNeil) to give Despres his playing time. That one defense slot wont make much of a difference to your team considering your filling it with a first overall pick I think it's a better move for the future with little cost right now.

I don't know why you would want your #1 pick in the stands that's simi-retarded the last thing a young player needs is to be sitting around. If your not going to play him for 75% of the games send him back to Jr A to play. The younger players need as much development time (ice time) as they can get sitting one simply because you can is not the way to go about it. If anything sit McNeil until Christmas and then trade him but for gods sake don't sit the number one pick!

[dogbert]

You don't want to sit 19yr olds either.

Makes sense that somebody has to move until you consider nobody will likely take McNeil. Rioux is more marketable but in no way elite.

Though we're missing those elite players up front, we do have lots of depth in role players looking for places to play.

I still suspect a big deal is in the works. If CB unloads, I can see us sending a bus load to them.

[koho88]

Rioux will be traded. I can't say that I like it, I think his veteran poise is very valuable. But I'll be very surprised if he is not traded.

[Gallant-Unit(14-0-3)]

I thought Rioux would be traded a while ago. Not that i want him gone but im sure we can get something for him tat will help

[markofthebeast]

Yes you do 19yo's in favor of younger more talented players. My point here is that it would be better to sit McNeil then Despres no matter how you look at it. If he has no value then cut him or as I said sit him either way it's better for your team to have Despres playing in his spot then have him collecting dust.

[canucklehead]

McNeil will most likely be the 7th Dman this year like I said and Despres will be #6 IMO playing with Rioux to help him along he'll get a fair bit of playing time because JB will be rolling the lines so he'll have every chance in the world to play but remember he's only 16 yrs old and how many 16 yr old defensemen play in any of the top 2 pairings not to many unless they are rebuilding from the ground up ala the Sea Dogs when they drafted Grant.

[ghost]

McNeil or Amyot will most likely be the odd man out. There is no way the Dogs will sit the first overall pick. They have, for the past two years played the first pick and Depres will play. Amyot should be given the opportunity to prove he belongs and McNeil will be the 7th man.