Defence

[canucklehead]

Personally I really thought Amyot looked really good towards the end of last season I was actually quite impressed. The beginning was real rough he looked timid all the time and rushed everything he did. The corners were a nightmare for him which was odd considering his size but he almost seemed to panic.

I expect him to improve his game alot this year go get em kid!

[ashtrayfoot]

I have not written anybuddy off yet includeing Amyot, If you look at the 48 players invited to camp and 12 of them are Defenceman the majory of them are going to have to work a little harder at camp and not think i am a sure thing because I played last year. I also believe their will be some players traded after camp is over to make room for any new players that might make the team.

[berner]

ashtrayfoot said:

I have not written anybuddy off yet includeing Amyot, If you look at the 48 players invited to camp and 12 of them are Defenceman the majory of them are going to have to work a little harder at camp and not think i am a sure thing because I played last year. I also believe their will be some players traded after camp is over to make room for any new players that might make the team.

True, but your previous statement was that in your opinion Grant, Sauve, Stich and Despres were 'a sure thing'. You really have to include Amyot in that group, he's gonna be better than you give him credit for. He made strides in the last part of the season, and now a year older, first Q campaign under his belt, a little bigger, he should thrive.

Defence is gonna be a hard place to find a spot in this season if you aren't named Grant, STich, Sauve, Amayot or Despres.

[ashtrayfoot]

OK bernier i will go along with you on amyot , mainly because i like the kid and hope your right.

[killer]

Amyot will be on this team no doubt about it...........The kid is very skilled but lacked in confidence big time when he forst arrived. Amyot improved a great deal over the course of the year and started to show flashes of being a great defenceman in this league. he just needs a bit more time to develope and to start playing more physical.

[habh8er]

I too have to say that Amyot really started to impress after christmas break last season.I think that his confidence is going to nothing but grow as this season progresses. I believe J.B. will have him play with Sauve,Grant with Animal,and the rookie with Rioux.That will leave McNeil as the 7th D-man.GO DOGS

[dogsfan]

i personally think that the 7th D man should be Amyot. McNeil had better numbers last season, better +/- and he played 18 games less then Amyot.

[canucklehead]

I can't see Amyot being further down the depth chart then Despres this season anyway. Despres has to learn the speed of the Q cuz it's alot faster that's why I figure he'll start out as the 7th Dman and eventually work his way up past McNeil altough for me McNeil is a pretty decent guy to have as a 7th Dman.

[killer]

dogsfan said:

i personally think that the 7th D man should be Amyot. McNeil had better numbers last season, better +/- and he played 18 games less then Amyot.

McNeil has no future with the team after this season IMO so I think its more important to invest the icetime in 17 year old Amyot.

Amyot should be much improved if he worked hard during the offseason

[canucklehead]

Just look at the size of Amyot if he can put it all together he'd easily be a top 4 guy and he has improved alot people sometimes forget last year he was only 16. The kid is 6' 4" 197lbs and he a smoothe skater to boot.

The Sea Dogs have some serious size in their defense top 4
Alex Grant - 6' 2" 174lbs
David Stich - 6' 2" 215lbs
Yann Sauve - 6' 3" 215lbs
Pascal Amyot - 6' 4" 197lbs

....and of course an up and comer
Simon Despres - 6' 3" 210lbs

[Michael Phelps]

In Despres first year in the league I imagine he'll have more of an impact on your squad then that of what Alex Grant had on his first season.

Despres will get plenty of playing time. Your team is starting to mature now, and guys like Grant and Rioux can lead by example better now that the organization is settled away and in its 3rd year. I imagine with that, you'll see a noticeable difference in Despres first season this year compared to Grants first season.

[Wince]

And your first trip playoffs is only 7 months away!

About time too.

[canucklehead]

kopitar said:

In Despres first year in the league I imagine he'll have more of an impact on your squad then that of what Alex Grant had on his first season.

Despres will get plenty of playing time. Your team is starting to mature now, and guys like Grant and Rioux can lead by example better now that the organization is settled away and in its 3rd year. I imagine with that, you'll see a noticeable difference in Despres first season this year compared to Grants first season.

Alex had a ton of pressure in season one with being first overall selection and constantly being compared to Espo not to mention the fact he was going to be on a expansion team. Despres meanwhile will be eased into the position he will get his ice time though your absolutely right but not as a top 4 guy type of icetime.

[dogbert]

canucklehead said:

kopitar said:

In Despres first year in the league I imagine he'll have more of an impact on your squad then that of what Alex Grant had on his first season.

Despres will get plenty of playing time. Your team is starting to mature now, and guys like Grant and Rioux can lead by example better now that the organization is settled away and in its 3rd year. I imagine with that, you'll see a noticeable difference in Despres first season this year compared to Grants first season.

Alex had a ton of pressure in season one with being first overall selection and constantly being compared to Espo not to mention the fact he was going to be on a expansion team. Despres meanwhile will be eased into the position he will get his ice time though your absolutely right but not as a top 4 guy type of icetime.

Not to mention his injury and our less-than-optimal coach.

There's not much room for him, but Despres will determine how much he plays. JB will give him the opportunity to play early and assess his readiness from that. He gave both Sauve and Amyot lots of early icetime last year then pulled the plug on Pascal not too far into the season while Yann played regularly all year.