Lockout (2004) Musings
Posted 1:02 AM ET | Comments 0
So in this lull of the off-season where rosters are fairly intact and trades seem less-likely, I thought I would start a "lively" discussion with my fellow Avs fans. Recent events of poverty (don't worry, I just graduated College and don't start my job till next week, life is good) have left me with not much to do other than watch NHL VAULT and eat Ramen. The following popped into my head:
Which players pre-lockout would have never survived in the current NHL?
Which players pre-lockout lost out on a career because of the old NHL?
For the first question, my Avs answers have to be Jon Klemm and Eric Messier. In today's NHL the defensive forward only exists if that player has speed as well. Gone are the days where players like Messier and Klemm could switch between defense and wing on a whim. I actually remember a time when Tony Granato would play Bob Boughner at wing when he was in a pinch. Unless you have Matt Hunwick speed, the days of the defenseman/forward transition are pretty much gone.
As far as the players whose careers were ended by the lockout, I have to look at former first round selction Vaclav Nederost. His game upon his arrival to the NHL reminds me now of one Wojtek Wolski. Both were late first-round selections who exhibited a decent amount of puck skills and speed but lacked strength and defensive skills. Wolski is now a journeyman 2nd-liner (personally, I think the only reason he was traded was because of false superstar expectations) whereas Nederost went back to Russia post-lockout where he has posted decent stats to this day. I firmly believe that Nederost would have taken a similar path in the NHL to Wolski's in the modern-day NHL.
I would LOVE to hear your thoughts on these questions. Which Avs players fall into either category in your mind? Which former NHL players fall into those categories? Hook em' Avs, and thanks for reading.
Avsfantrumpetman
Which players pre-lockout would have never survived in the current NHL?
Which players pre-lockout lost out on a career because of the old NHL?
For the first question, my Avs answers have to be Jon Klemm and Eric Messier. In today's NHL the defensive forward only exists if that player has speed as well. Gone are the days where players like Messier and Klemm could switch between defense and wing on a whim. I actually remember a time when Tony Granato would play Bob Boughner at wing when he was in a pinch. Unless you have Matt Hunwick speed, the days of the defenseman/forward transition are pretty much gone.
As far as the players whose careers were ended by the lockout, I have to look at former first round selction Vaclav Nederost. His game upon his arrival to the NHL reminds me now of one Wojtek Wolski. Both were late first-round selections who exhibited a decent amount of puck skills and speed but lacked strength and defensive skills. Wolski is now a journeyman 2nd-liner (personally, I think the only reason he was traded was because of false superstar expectations) whereas Nederost went back to Russia post-lockout where he has posted decent stats to this day. I firmly believe that Nederost would have taken a similar path in the NHL to Wolski's in the modern-day NHL.
I would LOVE to hear your thoughts on these questions. Which Avs players fall into either category in your mind? Which former NHL players fall into those categories? Hook em' Avs, and thanks for reading.
Avsfantrumpetman