Centers of Attention

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

http://www.nhl.com/nhl/app/?service=page&a...rticleid=368820

Talks basically about the importance of not having one line capable of scoring everything, pairs of centers, etc. Mentioned specifically in tandem for Detroit...

Zetterberg and Franzen

Before anyone gets in a rut that Datsyuk isn't mentioned, I'm guessing it was the fact that more often than not Zetterberg and Datsyuk played together and the columnist tackled the article by mentioning centers for different lines.

[WhiteLightning91 105]

I'm pretty sure Franzen was mostly playing on Filppula's wing so I don't understand why he is mentioned instead of Val. That has to be a mistake on the writer's part.

[Anomalously 0]

Best way to figure out who is centering most is to look at how many faceoffs they're taking.

Zetterberg 1210

Draper 944

Datsyuk 833

Filppula 621

Franzen 390

[CrossoverThrash 0]

Man what if Filpula develops into a top tier second line center that swould be sick.

[Dabura 12,232]

I don't know why this column was even written. We all know the Penguins still have the most formidable lineup down the middle of any team in the NHL, with Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Jordan Staal, plus an emerging elite netminder in Marc-Andre Fleury. - Burnside

[grsbmd 0]

I don't know why this column was even written. We all know the Penguins still have the most formidable lineup down the middle of any team in the NHL, with Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Jordan Staal, plus an emerging elite netminder in Marc-Andre Fleury. - Burnside

Do you disagree with that?

[Dabura 12,232]

Possibly. That's not really why I quoted it, though.

[stud_defenseman 1]

I would agree that Pittsburgh was probably the strongest down the middle. Staal is a little overrated I think though. I thought he was going to turn into an elite scorer, but he will likely fall into a draper type roll.

Next year if they split up Dats and Z, let Flip center the third line, and keep Drapes on the 4th line they will arguably be the best down the middle.

Zetterberg Crosby

Datsyuk Malkin

Filppula Staal

Draper Talbot

Impossible to say what the heck they are going to do next year though, but I am almost positive Z and Franzen will be on a line together and Datsyuk and Hossa on another.

Edited July 28, 2008 by stud_defenseman

[Doggy 130]

I would agree that Pittsburgh was probably the strongest down the middle. Staal is a little overrated I think though. I thought he was going to turn into an elite scorer, but he will likely fall into a draper type roll.

He won't be like Draper. If anything he'll be like Carbonneau. Which IMO is pretty friggin' good.

[stud_defenseman 1]

He won't be like Draper. If anything he'll be like Carbonneau. Which IMO is pretty friggin' good.

And what kind of player was Carbonneau ...He was before my time.

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

He won't be like Draper. If anything he'll be like Carbonneau. Which IMO is pretty friggin' good.

Staal is a lot more fleet of foot than Carbonneau was.

Also, he sucks badly at faceoffs, while Carbonneau was one of the best ever.

I don't really see the comparison between the two.

[Doggy 130]

Staal is a lot more fleet of foot than Carbonneau was.

Also, he sucks badly at faceoffs, while Carbonneau was one of the best ever.

I don't really see the comparison between the two.

The comparison is drawn on defensive ability. Jordan Staal still has a long way to go to be that good (and faceoffs are part of the required improvements) but he has the potential to become one of the great defensive forwards of all time just like Carbonneau.

I'm not saying he is just like Guy Carbonneau - I'm saying it's a better comparison than Draper. You could pick anyone to compare him with and someone will pop up and say, "Nah he was a better stickhandler" etc.

Stud - this should partially answer your question.

Edit: Perhaps Bob Gainey would be a better comparison but I didn't get to see much of him.

Edited July 29, 2008 by Doggy

[Guest CaliWingsNut]

I don't know why this column was even written. We all know the Penguins still have the most formidable lineup down the middle of any team in the NHL, with Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Jordan Staal, plus an emerging elite netminder in Marc-Andre Fleury. - Burnside

My guess is that either mule's or Z's agent decided to try and get a lil more publicity in before contract talks.

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

The comparison is drawn on defensive ability. Jordan Staal still has a long way to go to be that good (and faceoffs are part of the required improvements) but he has the potential to become one of the great defensive forwards of all time just like Carbonneau.

I'm not saying he is just like Guy Carbonneau - I'm saying it's a better comparison than Draper. You could pick anyone to compare him with and someone will pop up and say, "Nah he was a better stickhandler" etc.

Stud - this should partially answer your question.

Edit: Perhaps Bob Gainey would be a better comparison but I didn't get to see much of him.

There's no comparison there either. Gainey is bald, while Staal has a fine head of blonde hair. Also, they wear different numbers.