GAME DAY: Ottawa Senators @ Carolina Hurricanes - 7:00pm Nov. 7th, 2008

cash wrote:

Tukker wrote:

Neely4Life wrote:Obviously not. The guy sounded like a moron from the very start of his paragraph.

can't argue there. Foligno is one of our most promising players. If only vermette played like Folgers.

Three things:
- I watch every single game; but w/e...your opinions mean sh*t..
- Vermette has only been with Spezza and Heatley for 3 games; while Foligno has been relegated to the 4th line for a reason. There was even an article in the Citizen about him on Friday. And nowhere in my comment did I claim that Foligno was expendable or that he wasn't a solid asset for this team. He will be a strong player and I like some things about his game, but recently he's been truly terrible and his TOI reflects it.
- I really don't know what to say to fans that think Phillips has been playing poorly in the past year. Its something I've heard before and invariably the fans making that claim know d*ck about judging defensive defensemen. Nothing could possibly prove more how little you know about properly watching and evaluating hockey than that. Phillips is the best defender on this team, whether you realize it or not.

cash wrote:

Tukker wrote:Phillips has looked bad all season. he's been out of place most every play, making bad decisions with the puck, and hasn't looked like he belongs on the top pairing, let alone the PP. we already have Volchenkov, who is looking smarter, and we already know has better hands. It may very well be true that Phillips is pissed about not getting the "C" when Alfredsson was out. Needless to say, his head doesn't look to be in the right frame.

I have no idea what your watching...no clue whatsoever.
The whole team was in disarray in the 2nd and 3rd week of the season, but they've been very strong since the Toronto game (not including last night) and the defensive coverage (forwards and defense) has been outstanding.
The only reason I can think of for that kind of opinion about Phillips is his play on the PP. He has been dreadful on that powerplay and has been making tons of bad decisions, but - in his defense - the guy hasn't run the point on a powerplay since his days in Junior...Its natural that he is out of step.
I, quite frankly, don't want to give him more opportunities to get comfortable there...I want the 1st unit to have a forward on the point (Alfie being the only acceptable option) and another body in front (Fisher, Ruutu, or even Neil) and the 2nd unit to have Schubert and Picard (who has been hit-and-miss back there) manning the point. Why Winchester isn't on the 2nd unit, I have no idea; its the one decision Harts has made that I don't understand - although it could just be about a pecking order and letting him earn his way there.

Anyways, regardless of his offensive shortcomings, Phillips is a defensive stalwart. We are lucky to have a team with three such defenders as Phillips, Volchenkov, and Smith.

Neely4Life wrote:Haha well 1, you could not have possible watched every single game, because last weekend there was no coverage all, so thats not true either.

The reason you dont know what to say to fans that think that about Phillips is because he has been awful! He has not played even close to the guy that was being considered for Canada's Olympic team 2 years ago, he loses one on one battles down low a lot more then he wins them, and on top of that his decision making has been awful in his own zone.

Vermette has been on Spezza's line since the 3rd period of the game here againt Florida, so thats 7 games in a row now.

Everything you have basically said is ignorant, ill informed, and basically made up a bunch of BS to try and prove an argument that is basically impossible to win.

Also, the fact you would not give up Phillips to get the league leader in minutes and one of the top 5 best young D men in the league is laughable.

asq2 wrote:

Neely4Life wrote:Haha well 1, you could not have possible watched every single game, because last weekend there was no coverage all, so thats not true either.

The reason you dont know what to say to fans that think that about Phillips is because he has been awful! He has not played even close to the guy that was being considered for Canada's Olympic team 2 years ago, he loses one on one battles down low a lot more then he wins them, and on top of that his decision making has been awful in his own zone.

Vermette has been on Spezza's line since the 3rd period of the game here againt Florida, so thats 7 games in a row now.

Everything you have basically said is ignorant, ill informed, and basically made up a bunch of BS to try and prove an argument that is basically impossible to win.

Also, the fact you would not give up Phillips to get the league leader in minutes and one of the top 5 best young D men in the league is laughable.

Say what you will about Phillips, but he's cheap, he's a good leader and he's stepped up huge for us in the playoffs.

Bouwmeester has not proven to be any of those three.

asq2 wrote:

Neely4Life wrote:Haha well 1, you could not have possible watched every single game, because last weekend there was no coverage all, so thats not true either.

The reason you dont know what to say to fans that think that about Phillips is because he has been awful! He has not played even close to the guy that was being considered for Canada's Olympic team 2 years ago, he loses one on one battles down low a lot more then he wins them, and on top of that his decision making has been awful in his own zone.

Vermette has been on Spezza's line since the 3rd period of the game here againt Florida, so thats 7 games in a row now.

Everything you have basically said is ignorant, ill informed, and basically made up a bunch of BS to try and prove an argument that is basically impossible to win.

Also, the fact you would not give up Phillips to get the league leader in minutes and one of the top 5 best young D men in the league is laughable.

Say what you will about Phillips, but he's cheap, he's a good leader and he's stepped up huge for us in the playoffs.

Bouwmeester has not proven to be any of those three.

Tukker wrote:

asq2 wrote:

Neely4Life wrote:Haha well 1, you could not have possible watched every single game, because last weekend there was no coverage all, so thats not true either.

The reason you dont know what to say to fans that think that about Phillips is because he has been awful! He has not played even close to the guy that was being considered for Canada's Olympic team 2 years ago, he loses one on one battles down low a lot more then he wins them, and on top of that his decision making has been awful in his own zone.

Vermette has been on Spezza's line since the 3rd period of the game here againt Florida, so thats 7 games in a row now.

Everything you have basically said is ignorant, ill informed, and basically made up a bunch of BS to try and prove an argument that is basically impossible to win.

Also, the fact you would not give up Phillips to get the league leader in minutes and one of the top 5 best young D men in the league is laughable.

Say what you will about Phillips, but he's cheap, he's a good leader and he's stepped up huge for us in the playoffs.

Bouwmeester has not proven to be any of those three.

Bow is young, and has never been in the playoffs. now I love Phillips and has nothing against him, but I'd have to seriously consider this.

Neely4Life wrote:

asq2 wrote:

Neely4Life wrote:Haha well 1, you could not have possible watched every single game, because last weekend there was no coverage all, so thats not true either.

The reason you dont know what to say to fans that think that about Phillips is because he has been awful! He has not played even close to the guy that was being considered for Canada's Olympic team 2 years ago, he loses one on one battles down low a lot more then he wins them, and on top of that his decision making has been awful in his own zone.

Vermette has been on Spezza's line since the 3rd period of the game here againt Florida, so thats 7 games in a row now.

Everything you have basically said is ignorant, ill informed, and basically made up a bunch of BS to try and prove an argument that is basically impossible to win.

Also, the fact you would not give up Phillips to get the league leader in minutes and one of the top 5 best young D men in the league is laughable.

Say what you will about Phillips, but he's cheap, he's a good leader and he's stepped up huge for us in the playoffs.

Bouwmeester has not proven to be any of those three.

Phillips is signed at a good price, I wouldnt say cheap, but a good price. I'm not even saying he is a bad guy to have back there, but to say he has played well over the last year is simply wrong and ill informed.

Anyone that doesnt think J Bo is worth at least Phillips is seriously lacking some common sense.

Neely4Life wrote:Last year people were having convo's about the team playing awful, and so on. Phillips got a free pass along with A traing because of what they did the year before going to the cup finals.

A train broke his finger against Nashville last year, and it was downhill for Phillips. By the looks of things it seems like Phillips has always had the benifit of playing with good, physical partners that are strong defensivly. (Chara and Vulchankov)

Tukker wrote:

Neely4Life wrote:Last year people were having convo's about the team playing awful, and so on. Phillips got a free pass along with A traing because of what they did the year before going to the cup finals.

A train broke his finger against Nashville last year, and it was downhill for Phillips. By the looks of things it seems like Phillips has always had the benifit of playing with good, physical partners that are strong defensivly. (Chara and Vulchankov)

While I may not agree, I can't entirely disagree. You've given me something to think about.

wprager wrote:Guys, go outside and have a smoke or something. Rake the leaves to work out some steam, please. For a while there it was like being back on HB. Disagree, if you must, but keep insults in the schoolyard, OK?

Neely4Life wrote:

cash wrote:

Tukker wrote:

Neely4Life wrote:Obviously not. The guy sounded like a moron from the very start of his paragraph.

can't argue there. Foligno is one of our most promising players. If only vermette played like Folgers.

Three things:
- I watch every single game; but w/e...your opinions mean sh*t..
- Vermette has only been with Spezza and Heatley for 3 games; while Foligno has been relegated to the 4th line for a reason. There was even an article in the Citizen about him on Friday. And nowhere in my comment did I claim that Foligno was expendable or that he wasn't a solid asset for this team. He will be a strong player and I like some things about his game, but recently he's been truly terrible and his TOI reflects it.
- I really don't know what to say to fans that think Phillips has been playing poorly in the past year. Its something I've heard before and invariably the fans making that claim know d*ck about judging defensive defensemen. Nothing could possibly prove more how little you know about properly watching and evaluating hockey than that. Phillips is the best defender on this team, whether you realize it or not.

Haha well 1, you could not have possible watched every single game, because last weekend there was no coverage all, so thats not true either.

The reason you dont know what to say to fans that think that about Phillips is because he has been awful! He has not played even close to the guy that was being considered for Canada's Olympic team 2 years ago, he loses one on one battles down low a lot more then he wins them, and on top of that his decision making has been awful in his own zone.

Vermette has been on Spezza's line since the 3rd period of the game here againt Florida, so thats 7 games in a row now.

Everything you have basically said is ignorant, ill informed, and basically made up a bunch of BS to try and prove an argument that is basically impossible to win.

Also, the fact you would not give up Phillips to get the league leader in minutes and one of the top 5 best young D men in the league is laughable.

Tukker wrote:

wprager wrote:Guys, go outside and have a smoke or something. Rake the leaves to work out some steam, please. For a while there it was like being back on HB. Disagree, if you must, but keep insults in the schoolyard, OK?

as long as sf56 isnt here, it will never be like HB. thankfully

Neely4Life wrote:
Phillips is signed at a good price, I wouldnt say cheap, but a good price. I'm not even saying he is a bad guy to have back there, but to say he has played well over the last year is simply wrong and ill informed.

Anyone that doesnt think J Bo is worth at least Phillips is seriously lacking some common sense.

hemlock34 wrote:

Tukker wrote:

wprager wrote:Guys, go outside and have a smoke or something. Rake the leaves to work out some steam, please. For a while there it was like being back on HB. Disagree, if you must, but keep insults in the schoolyard, OK?

as long as sf56 isnt here, it will never be like HB. thankfully

Where will the comic relief come from without sf56?

Tukker wrote:

hemlock34 wrote:

Tukker wrote:

wprager wrote:Guys, go outside and have a smoke or something. Rake the leaves to work out some steam, please. For a while there it was like being back on HB. Disagree, if you must, but keep insults in the schoolyard, OK?

as long as sf56 isnt here, it will never be like HB. thankfully

Where will the comic relief come from without sf56?

it's not right to make fun of the mentally challenged...

RobbyJ wrote:

Neely4Life wrote:

cash wrote:

Tukker wrote:

Neely4Life wrote:Obviously not. The guy sounded like a moron from the very start of his paragraph.

can't argue there. Foligno is one of our most promising players. If only vermette played like Folgers.

Three things:
- I watch every single game; but w/e...your opinions mean sh*t..
- Vermette has only been with Spezza and Heatley for 3 games; while Foligno has been relegated to the 4th line for a reason. There was even an article in the Citizen about him on Friday. And nowhere in my comment did I claim that Foligno was expendable or that he wasn't a solid asset for this team. He will be a strong player and I like some things about his game, but recently he's been truly terrible and his TOI reflects it.
- I really don't know what to say to fans that think Phillips has been playing poorly in the past year. Its something I've heard before and invariably the fans making that claim know d*ck about judging defensive defensemen. Nothing could possibly prove more how little you know about properly watching and evaluating hockey than that. Phillips is the best defender on this team, whether you realize it or not.

Haha well 1, you could not have possible watched every single game, because last weekend there was no coverage all, so thats not true either.

The reason you dont know what to say to fans that think that about Phillips is because he has been awful! He has not played even close to the guy that was being considered for Canada's Olympic team 2 years ago, he loses one on one battles down low a lot more then he wins them, and on top of that his decision making has been awful in his own zone.

Vermette has been on Spezza's line since the 3rd period of the game here againt Florida, so thats 7 games in a row now.

Everything you have basically said is ignorant, ill informed, and basically made up a bunch of BS to try and prove an argument that is basically impossible to win.

Also, the fact you would not give up Phillips to get the league leader in minutes and one of the top 5 best young D men in the league is laughable.

Neely4Life,

You're way off on you're assessment of Phillips. While he hasn't played great yet this year he is still our best defensive dman over the long haul (last night not withstanding). There are very few players I would give up Phillips to get, but in the case of Bouwmeister in exchange for Vermette and Phillips, it's a no brainer, pull the trigger.