The Official 2011 Tank Nation thread

SpezDispenser wrote:

CockRoche wrote:SpezDispenser, you are reaching IMO as well. Same way you were at the start of this season with Regin.

I think you really do over-value most some of our prospects and under-rate the term "prospect" and what it takes for them to make an impact in the NHL.

It is not easy.

Although roughly 5 years ago, players like Fisher get nominated for the Selke for a reason.

Regin had more opportunity of working than it did of failing, what makes you say that? I see some potential in Smith to be a replacement for Fisher/Kelly on the 3rd line - and I think he might get 20 - or close to it in the not too distant future.

SpezDispenser wrote:

Bass Destruction wrote:
I agree. I think he has an underrated wrister. You sometimes see it on his breakaways, and some of his shots. At first I thought he was God-awfully slow, but after watching him a bit more, I think it's just the way he skates, makes him look slower than he is.

I think he has some deceptive talent, although he has not realized all of it yet. He's certainly playing better now that he's getting more playing time. He's hitting a lot more which is good, and has looked really good, with some solid aggression on the penalty kill.

I think Greening is a guy who could surprise us in the future. Although he probably needs a little more time in the AHL. Also for him to succeed, I think he'll need the playing time of being a 3rd liner.

Yeah, I think it's a combo of a nasty wrister, the ability for Smith to get it off quickly and his desire to crash the net all mixed into one.

EDIT: There was a poster on HF who said that Greening was on par or better than Kelly - and he's apparently a massive B-Sens fan, so he's really closely followed both of them.

hemlock wrote:

SpezDispenser wrote:

Bass Destruction wrote:
I agree. I think he has an underrated wrister. You sometimes see it on his breakaways, and some of his shots. At first I thought he was God-awfully slow, but after watching him a bit more, I think it's just the way he skates, makes him look slower than he is.

I think he has some deceptive talent, although he has not realized all of it yet. He's certainly playing better now that he's getting more playing time. He's hitting a lot more which is good, and has looked really good, with some solid aggression on the penalty kill.

I think Greening is a guy who could surprise us in the future. Although he probably needs a little more time in the AHL. Also for him to succeed, I think he'll need the playing time of being a 3rd liner.

Yeah, I think it's a combo of a nasty wrister, the ability for Smith to get it off quickly and his desire to crash the net all mixed into one.

EDIT: There was a poster on HF who said that Greening was on par or better than Kelly - and he's apparently a massive B-Sens fan, so he's really closely followed both of them.

There's more to his game that I like as well. He'll go into the dirty areas, he'll take a hit to make a play, and he stands up for his teammates. I see him as a Chris Neil type (who probably won't fight as much), with more scoring upside. He's a guy I can see being near the team lead at some point in PK time, blocks (by forwards), PIMs all while contributing potentially20 goals.

SpezDispenser wrote:

CockRoche wrote:SpezDispenser, you are reaching IMO as well. Same way you were at the start of this season with Regin.

I think you really do over-value most some of our prospects and under-rate the term "prospect" and what it takes for them to make an impact in the NHL.

It is not easy.

Although roughly 5 years ago, players like Fisher get nominated for the Selke for a reason.

Regin had more opportunity of working than it did of failing, what makes you say that? I see some potential in Smith to be a replacement for Fisher/Kelly on the 3rd line - and I think he might get 20 - or close to it in the not too distant future.

Oglethorpe wrote:Greening looks to have the tools to play in the league, speed/shot/size, but he may well max out as a 4th liner. Still a nice way to make a living.

Oglethorpe wrote:

SpezDispenser wrote:

CockRoche wrote:SpezDispenser, you are reaching IMO as well. Same way you were at the start of this season with Regin.

I think you really do over-value most some of our prospects and under-rate the term "prospect" and what it takes for them to make an impact in the NHL.

It is not easy.

Although roughly 5 years ago, players like Fisher get nominated for the Selke for a reason.

Regin had more opportunity of working than it did of failing, what makes you say that? I see some potential in Smith to be a replacement for Fisher/Kelly on the 3rd line - and I think he might get 20 - or close to it in the not too distant future.

Now you've tempered your expectations. Smith definitely looks like he can be a 3rd liner for sure, maybe not at centre, but 3rd liner for sure. The impression I got from your previous post was close to 20 goals next season. If you are talking about 20 goal potential in a few years then I could buy it. I think he may play the PP in the future, in his 1st year in the AHL he was used as the net presence on the 1st PP for a while and had some nice results. I think Winchester centres the 3rd line next year and we may see Smith on the wing with him.

Oglethorpe wrote:Not to be negative, but would anybody be surprised if Alfie packed it in at the end of the season? I think it would be tough to train all summer at 38 years old, knowing you may be on the worst team in the league. Just a feeling I've had since he went out with the back injury.

Oglethorpe wrote:Not to be negative, but would anybody be surprised if Alfie packed it in at the end of the season? I think it would be tough to train all summer at 38 years old, knowing you may be on the worst team in the league. Just a feeling I've had since he went out with the back injury.

hemlock wrote:

Oglethorpe wrote:Not to be negative, but would anybody be surprised if Alfie packed it in at the end of the season? I think it would be tough to train all summer at 38 years old, knowing you may be on the worst team in the league. Just a feeling I've had since he went out with the back injury.

As bad as this may sound, the first thing that comes to mind is "Did he sign that contract before his 35th birthday?"I think he'll do the team right, if he can play, he will. He's still a hell of a competitor even in his geezer years.

Oglethorpe wrote:I have to be honest, some of his comments this year have left me wondering if he is "on the same page" as Clouston. Often they had quite contradictory post game comments that made me wonder. He also seemed very tired in interviews, like the season really was draining for him.

dennycrane wrote:His salary would count against the cap if he retired.

My thought is no, only because he said he was going to continue on a while ago. As well, the ASG is here next year. I could see him retiring after next year if the injuries continue to mount but I think he'll finish his contract.

Oglethorpe wrote:I have to be honest, some of his comments this year have left me wondering if he is "on the same page" as Clouston. Often they had quite contradictory post game comments that made me wonder. He also seemed very tired in interviews, like the season really was draining for him.

CockRoche wrote:

Oglethorpe wrote:I have to be honest, some of his comments this year have left me wondering if he is "on the same page" as Clouston. Often they had quite contradictory post game comments that made me wonder. He also seemed very tired in interviews, like the season really was draining for him.

Crazy talk. Wait and see who stays and goes when all the dust from this season settles before you speak of retirement from Alfie.

Not sure if you saw a post from me awhile ago based on rumblings in the dressing room. Almost everybody is frustrated with Clouston.