| Author |
 Topic  |
|
Donnie Hockey
(Loves To Post!)
USA
1514 Posts |
 Posted - 02/10/2010 : 1:29:18 PM
|
I said most players, which doesn't include guys like Konopka and Guite. Konopka is going to complete his first full season in the NHL, at age 29. Guite is now back to playing primarily in the AHL. Both are fourth line, energy guys in the NHL that excel in the faceoff circle, something Desharnais in his stellar 3-game NHL career has shown a penchant for.
Kunitz was called up to the NHL his first pro season for the better part of two months, and would have been in the NHL for most, if not all, of the 2004-05 season had the lockout not taken place. He was older than 23, but again, it didn't take him three years to get to the NHL. He almost made the Anaheim team out of training camp his first pro season. Again, you can't compare Desharnais to Kunitz because there is no comparison. One of them had a bidding war for his services coming out of college, and the other had no offers coming out of the QMJHL or even after a 100-point, MVP season in the ECHL.
Anyone that watches a game that knows the game can pick up on work ethic and whether or not a player competes. I liked Desjardins battle level the few times I saw him play. He reminded me of Chris Mason in that regard. The games I saw Desharnais play, there were times I thought he was more interested in padding his stats than making the right play late in one-goal games, but I also attributed that to him being a first-year pro and thinking he had to have a gazillon points for someone to notice him. |
www.twitter.com/donhelbig |
 |
|
|
BP2011
(Been Here Awhile)
USA
531 Posts |
Posted - 02/10/2010 : 3:18:00 PM
|
| Desharnais was signed to an AHL contract right after Chuck signed him in 07 so he showed Hamilton in training camp and they liked what they saw so its not like he didnt show them anyhing, after the 2008 season he was signed to his NHL/AHL deal and he was released from his standard AHL contract and was from that point on under the control of Montreal. So his 100 pt years in QMJHL and the ECHL ended up impressing the greatest franchise in NHL history |
08, 10 Kelly Cup Champions
08, 10, 14 American Conference Champions
08, 09, 13 North Division Champions
08 Brabham Cup Champions |
|
|
|
Donnie Hockey
(Loves To Post!)
USA
1514 Posts |
Posted - 02/10/2010 : 7:09:24 PM
|
quote:
Originally posted by BP2011
Desharnais was signed to an AHL contract right after Chuck signed him in 07 so he showed Hamilton in training camp and they liked what they saw so its not like he didnt show them anyhing, after the 2008 season he was signed to his NHL/AHL deal and he was released from his standard AHL contract and was from that point on under the control of Montreal. So his 100 pt years in QMJHL and the ECHL ended up impressing the greatest franchise in NHL history
The greatest franchise in NHL history that hasn't won the Stanley Cup since 1993, and hasn't been back to the finals since then.
We'll see how many NHL games Desharnais plays when Montreal doesn't have a depleted lineup. |
www.twitter.com/donhelbig |
|
|
|
dtwells
(The Next Level!)
270 Posts |
Posted - 02/10/2010 : 9:19:59 PM
|
| Desharnais registering his first career point, against the hottest team in the league |
|
|
|
Donnie Hockey
(Loves To Post!)
USA
1514 Posts |
Posted - 02/10/2010 : 10:17:16 PM
|
quote:
Originally posted by dtwells
Desharnais registering his first career point, against the hottest team in the league
Desharnais has surpassed former Swords great Morris Titanic (and hundreds of others) on the NHL's all-time career scoring list. With his next point he'll move past Maxim Balmochnyk. |
www.twitter.com/donhelbig |
Edited by - Donnie Hockey on 02/10/2010 10:31:20 PM |
|
|
|
Hockey Traveller
(The Next Level!)
134 Posts |
Posted - 02/10/2010 : 10:50:49 PM
|
quote:
Originally posted by hrc666
@ Elvis. Thanks for pointing out the ridiculous perspective the "ht's" put on DD's efforts. Pray tell, getting knocked off a puck, falling down, and getting beaten to a puck in one game!! Glory be! Such things never happen to future Hall of Famers Lupul or Kunitz. LOL.
Another factor our resident "expert" hasn't any idea about is the player's drive and dedication. Any of us who knows anything about the work ethics of various Cyclones know the type of players that DD and Cedrick were/are. They both have incredible work ethics and competitive drives.
Any player analysis which doesn't include intangibles is incomplete at best.
Some players on the Queen City Steam have incredible work ethics and competitive drives, but that doesn't mean they will end up being good NHL players. Thousands of hockey players, amateur and pro, have incredible work ethics and competitive drives. In a league of only 600 players at any given time, a league in which every hockey player in the world strives to play, it is almost a requirement that every player have, and maintain, incredible work ethics and competitive drives.
My "perspective" has nothing to do with Deshanais' EFFORTS. I watched the games and posted what I saw. You have obviously based your opinion on the games you saw him play at the ECHL level, which is why you asked me how many games I saw him play with the Cyclones. I have seen many players dominate at the ECHL, (old) IHL, AHL, and even CSHL levels, but that doesn't always translate to the next level. I have now seen Desharnais play in 3 NHL games (haven't watched the Caps game yet), and I am still seeing a career minor leaguer enjoying a cup of coffee in the NHL. |
|
|
|
Hockey Traveller
(The Next Level!)
134 Posts |
Posted - 02/10/2010 : 11:06:53 PM
|
quote:
Originally posted by elvis77
Again, I'm not saying David is the "next coming." He's young, he's going to make mistakes. During stretches of the last two games he has shown that he has a NHL Caliber skill set. In the game at Pittsburgh the Desharnais/Trotter/White line had some of it's best chances against a line with Crosby/Malkin and I forget the other wing. He needs to be consistent and he needs to get stronger and faster. Stronger and faster can both be earned with hard work at the gym and rink. The consistency will come with opportunity; with each NHL chance comes more knowledge as to what he's capable of and what he needs to work on.
He can get stronger, but he's not going to get much faster. True, with more NHL experience, he might make adjustments, and learn how to deal with the fact that he can't (or at least hasn't yet shown an ability to) beat big defensemen to the puck in corners, or win battles in the corners or along the boards. Maybe the game will slow down for him, and he will learn how to do those things. Maybe he will find the things that he does well, and fine tune those things, and not try to be something that he isn't, making him a serviceable player in the NHL. The questions are, will he improve, how long will it take, and will an NHL team/organization be patient with him and give him opportunities?
If I'm wrong about him, and he sticks somewhere, the worst that happens is that I watched a few extra NHL games on Center Ice that I wouldn't have normally watched.
No wait, let me amend that. If I'm wrong, the worst that happens is hrc makes ridiculous posts. If I'm right, the worst that happens is hrc makes ridiculous posts. |
|
|
|
hrc666
(Loves To Post!)
1363 Posts |
Posted - 02/10/2010 : 11:47:22 PM
|
Great assist on Metropolit power play goal.
Here's a link to the replay.http://www.nhl.com/ice/boxscore.htm?id=2009020886
It's the goal at 12:45 of period 2. DD is #58.
Not much ice time (8:13) of which 2:19 was on the power play. 2/4 on face offs.
I'll assume that he was saddled with Matt D'Agostini as a line mate when he was on even strength.  D'Agostini could turn Sidney Crosby into a 15 goal scorer.
The assist was a cross ice goal mouth pass that even a lowly CSHL player could have converted. The "chip" DD made at the blue line made the entire sequence possible. If given the chance with decent linemates, DD will not disappoint.
May his scoring streak continue in the Philly series this weekend.
|
"The only way David Desharnais will see an NHL game is if he buys a ticket".
--donnie hockey
"David Desharnais will be invisible during 5 on 5 hockey. IN THE AHL"
--donnie hockey
|
Edited by - hrc666 on 02/11/2010 02:04:53 AM |
|
|
|
elvis77
(Loves To Post!)
1435 Posts |
Posted - 02/11/2010 : 12:16:48 AM
|
@ HockeyTraveller
I've watched him play all 4 of his NHL games via gamecenter and many of his AHL games via AHL Live. His NHL mistakes aren't any different than most other NHL rookies.
We'll have to agree to disagree about the speed thing. Speed is about strength and foot speed. David moves his feet very well and quickly, with some more lower body strength he'll gain a few steps.
My reasoning for for believing he will make the adjustments in his game is that he has at every level thus far. As I've stated before, after a stellar JR career people said he'd never perform to the same level in professional hockey. When he did people said he'd be invisible in the AHL and he wasn't. Now, critics say he won't stick in the NHL based on NHL history rather than David's personal history of excelling.
Basing a an assessment of David based on history is pointless unless it's limited to the post lock out. Since the lock out the average size of an NHL player has dropped by about 2 inches and 10lbs yet many people still use prelock out criteria to rate players. If this were 2000 I would agree that David would not have a shot at the NHL. However, based on current NHL trends and David's history of proving critics wrong I feel that he has the potential to make it.
We obviously disagree as to the answers to the questions you proposed regarding David. I feel he will and you feel he won't. The difference appears to be that while I feel that David CAN beat the odds and become an NHL player, I will acknowledge that he has a lot to overcome and it may not happen (although that will have less to do with his ability and more with the stigma of being undrafted and drafted players will get more chances regardless of merit, simply for economic purposes.), it seems that his critics won't acknowledge his ability and tendency of proving them wrong and admit that he has a chance regardless of how against the odds it might be.
Again, we disagree and probably always will. I'll support him and you will not and we will have the same discussions over and over. |
"PBR can do that to you....1,2,3,12 beers and you're f**ked"
-oscar
"and i don't give a damn 'bout my bad reputation" - joan jett
"beer is proof that god loves us and wants us to be happy." - benjamin franklin
"is that a pulled pork sandwich i smell?"
"some things are just better without pants...."
www.cycwords.wordpress.com |
|
|
|
hrc666
(Loves To Post!)
1363 Posts |
Posted - 02/11/2010 : 12:35:31 AM
|
quote:
Since the lock out the average size of an NHL player has dropped by about 2 inches and 10 lbs yet many people still use prelock out criteria to rate players
I did not know this. Very interesting.
I probably shouldn't comment on this, but what the hay: Anyone who believes that work ethic and competitive drive is standard among any group of professional athletes hasn't a clue.
Why don't you call up Coach Babcock for confirmation of this? I'm sure dh has him on speed dial. LOL.
|
"The only way David Desharnais will see an NHL game is if he buys a ticket".
--donnie hockey
"David Desharnais will be invisible during 5 on 5 hockey. IN THE AHL"
--donnie hockey
|
Edited by - hrc666 on 02/11/2010 12:42:03 AM |
|
|
|
elvis77
(Loves To Post!)
1435 Posts |
Posted - 02/11/2010 : 01:11:56 AM
|
Apparently someone agrees with me on David Desharnais chances:
"Both Kelly and Jacques Martin think Desharnais will make it in the NHL, because even though the player is just 5-foot-6, he "initiates contact instead of shying away from it," Kelly said. "He knows that when youre that height, you have to prove you can play. If youre 6-foot-2, you have to prove you cant." The Canadiens coach compares him to Martin St. Louis, though I dont think hell score as much."
-from Elliotte Friedman at cbcsports.ca
http://www.cbc.ca/sports/blogs/2010/02/gainey_planned_exit_strategy_l.html |
"PBR can do that to you....1,2,3,12 beers and you're f**ked"
-oscar
"and i don't give a damn 'bout my bad reputation" - joan jett
"beer is proof that god loves us and wants us to be happy." - benjamin franklin
"is that a pulled pork sandwich i smell?"
"some things are just better without pants...."
www.cycwords.wordpress.com |
|
|
|
cyclonehole
(Been Here Awhile)
USA
985 Posts |
Posted - 02/11/2010 : 6:41:25 PM
|
| No matter what DD's future entails, he can always remember that his first NHL point came in ending Washington's 14-game winning streak (3 wins away from tieing the NHL record for the longest win streak held by Mario's Penguins). |
|
|
|
dtwells
(The Next Level!)
270 Posts |
Posted - 02/11/2010 : 10:04:52 PM
|
| Ben Maxwell was sent back to hamilton, so there is another 2-5 mins a game that DD can get. Great to see him getting a real chance to prove himself. Not just a game here and there where he cant get a groove/feel for the NHL game |
|
|
|
hrc666
(Loves To Post!)
1363 Posts |
Posted - 02/11/2010 : 11:40:23 PM
|
DD's instincts really showed on the PP assist. His move toward the net and subsequent pass looked like reruns of his ECHL days.
The quote Elvis cited regarding Coach Martin is quite encouraging. It's a real quote unlike another one which has been used on this board.
It appears a certainty that DD will compete in the home-and-home vs. Philly this weekend. Making $2641 CDN/day at that I'm sure he'll get returned to Hamilton once the Olympic Break begins on Sunday.
The career stats of DD's Montreal teammate Glen Metropolit illustrate the danger of placing arbitrary time frameworks upon players when it comes to their ultimate chances of having long NHL careers. Here is a link to Metropolit's stats:http://hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=21572 |
"The only way David Desharnais will see an NHL game is if he buys a ticket".
--donnie hockey
"David Desharnais will be invisible during 5 on 5 hockey. IN THE AHL"
--donnie hockey
|
Edited by - hrc666 on 02/12/2010 01:50:18 AM |
|
|
|
cyclonesfan7180
(Rookie)
47 Posts |
Posted - 02/12/2010 : 09:44:04 AM
|
| OK so I was wrong about DD. Good for him |
|
|
|
Topic |
|
Topic Locked
