Bickell A Good NHL Player Or The Contract Year Motivation?

[Gunzaan]

I agree with every word of this thread, except want to say

Bolland really does suck that much...AT EVERYTHING

Granted, I will completely admit that this year he was bad and injured and last year's regular season was meh... But you obviously don't watch playoff hockey. Over the last 4 years, Bolland has been a KEY contributor in the playoffs. His style of play is suited for the playoffs. I'm not sure what he has left, but if he looks good in practice, it is an easy decision to put him back in the lineup this time of the year. I'm surprised they are looking at Stalberg, as I thought it would be Carcillo, but with the lack of physicality on this team and Stalberg in the dog house for not hustling and dicking around with the puck at the blueline, I'll trust in Q to make the best decision.

 

[Franko725]

Granted, I will completely admit that this year he was bad and injured and last year's regular season was meh... But you obviously don't watch playoff hockey. Over the last 4 years, Bolland has been a KEY contributor in the playoffs. His style of play is suited for the playoffs. I'm not sure what he has left, but if he looks good in practice, it is an easy decision to put him back in the lineup this time of the year. I'm surprised they are looking at Stalberg, as I thought it would be Carcillo, but with the lack of physicality on this team and Stalberg in the dog house for not hustling and dicking around with the puck at the blueline, I'll trust in Q to make the best decision.

:facepalm:

 

[Gunzaan]

:facepalm:

I've never understood people that use JUST an emote/smilie to disagree with someone. I have no problem with an opposing position, but why don't you add your opinion? The only answer I can come up with is pure laziness, which boggles my mind. Congrats, Franko... You disagree but are too lazy to respond! That is certainly going to make me respect your opinion in the future!

 

[DewsSox79]

see the problem with this argument is that rarely do our 3rd line players stay on the third line...Q constantly moves players up and down the lines so our 3rd liners suddenly are 1st liners.

also, just because they are 3rd liners here doesnt mean they would be elsewhere...stalberg is a fine example. he is a top lines forward on 50-75% of the league


and also, fans ***** because they see things wrong with player's skill set... stalberg's hands are sub par for example


as for people complaining about hossa, kane, etc they are just looking for attention

you gotta admit stalbergs hands are brutal. his top speed is great, but he isnt a great skater. what i mean is just because he is fast doesnt equal a good skater. his shot is putrid.

 

[KBIB]

If Stalberg developed some hands he would be electric

If Stalberg developed some hands he would be Phil Kessel with two testicles.


Nipple

 

[Raskolnikov]

Its funny, everyone has their favorites. Bolland has a knack for big goals, I just prefer Bickell and the effort of Frolic or Saad. We have so many great players, the good ones look blah and take the blame.

Hell, Keith getting beat down the ice after a turnover he usually doesn't cause is probably our biggest weakness, and thats just age and physical build. The Avalanche and Blue Jackets showed what up and down speed can do to us.

I'm just in awe of this team and their grit, they won the presidents trophy without the offense of Pittsburgh. We keep scores low and score big goals, its amazing.

 

[tbo41fan]

you gotta admit stalbergs hands are brutal. his top speed is great, but he isnt a great skater. what i mean is just because he is fast doesnt equal a good skater. his shot is putrid.

I've openly admitted this in the past....and a few posts above yours

 

[KBIB]

Its funny, everyone has their favorites. Bolland has a knack for big goals, I just prefer Bickell and the effort of Frolic or Saad. We have so many great players, the good ones look blah and take the blame.

Hell, Keith getting beat down the ice after a turnover he usually doesn't cause is probably our biggest weakness, and thats just age and physical build. The Avalanche and Blue Jackets showed what up and down speed can do to us.

I'm just in awe of this team and their grit, they won the presidents trophy without the offense of Pittsburgh. We keep scores low and score big goals, its amazing.

I don't know about that. The East is such a less defensive division I would go as far as to say that the Hawks O is neck and neck with what the Pens is just on the Hawks depth. Most of the Pens offense is coming from three players, while the Hawks can roll three(four if you count last night) lines that can score at any time. Its pretty close, but I would still give the edge to the Hawks. If the stars and refs align correctly and you see a Hawks/Pens Final, you will see the Hawks running circles around the Pens defense because Blysma will try to run and gun with the Hawks and try and practice that fail method of attack against a team built to run it. The entire time Crysby is out there he will see Bolland and Malkin the Toews line. Yeah, good luck, Pittsburgh.


Supple

 

[Raskolnikov]

I don't know about that. The East is such a less defensive division I would go as far as to say that the Hawks O is neck and neck with what the Pens is just on the Hawks depth. Most of the Pens offense is coming from three players, while the Hawks can roll three(four if you count last night) lines that can score at any time. Its pretty close, but I would still give the edge to the Hawks. If the stars and refs align correctly and you see a Hawks/Pens Final, you will see the Hawks running circles around the Pens defense because Blysma will try to run and gun with the Hawks and try and practice that fail method of attack against a team built to run it. The entire time Crysby is out there he will see Bolland and Malkin the Toews line. Yeah, good luck, Pittsburgh.


Supple

I'm just not seeing any power play danger out of us the last month and a half, while the Penguins power play is off the charts.

I think your kidding yourself to claim our offense is better than theirs, though we have a chemistry advantage.

We have our third line favorites and heroes and "future" all stars, they have actual former all-stars. Toews=Crosby and Kane=Malkin


i don't fear their defense too much, but the new goaltender Valkoun is certainly making a big difference. Fingers crossed for Fleury back in before finals.

 

[Beyer Fan]

Contract year FTL.

Definitely has stepped it up. $$ do wonders.

 

[Beyer Fan]

great gif!

 

[Bear_Assed]

I think this team needs bickell and many more bickells. This team obviously has struggles in the playoffs because the speed guys get shut down. The big guys with decent offensive talent shine. The hawks continue to be a bust in the playoffs, more guys like bickell are needed asap. I hope like hell bickell is resigned and other guys like him are brought in/up.

I truly do not believe Bickell's success is because of the $. Hes not playing harder, hes playing better. More confidence with the puck which is tough for a guy who has been brought up thru a system that wanted him to be an enforcer on a team with 0 other enforcers.

see ya stalberg. lots of potential, just cant take that next step.

 

[DewsSox79]

i kinda want to keep him around. he knows his role.

 

[Chris Sojka]

I like Bickell... I see him getting signed... plays better in the playoffs because the playoffs are a more physical game... during the regular season you will see a lot more fights when guys are hitting... but not in the playoffs... teams cant really afford a lot of goons... Bickell being able to play and being a big guy that hits totally works to his advantage in the playoffs... and really provides the team with the one thing it lacks... Strength...

I disagree with Victor Stalberg Assessment...

The guy is a strong skater... just doesn't get enough time... He will be a future 1st liner on an above average team with a solid 1st line... has gotten better every game this year... I wonder if some of you are blind... or just love to agree with popular opinion all the time...

 

[Franko725]

I like Bickell... I see him getting signed... plays better in the playoffs because the playoffs are a more physical game... during the regular season you will see a lot more fights when guys are hitting... but not in the playoffs... teams cant really afford a lot of goons... Bickell being able to play and being a big guy that hits totally works to his advantage in the playoffs... and really provides the team with the one thing it lacks... Strength...

I disagree with Victor Stalberg Assessment...

The guy is a strong skater... just doesn't get enough time... He will be a future 1st liner on an above average team with a solid 1st line... has gotten better every game this year... I wonder if some of you are blind... or just love to agree with popular opinion all the time...

There is a lot of Stalberg love around here, but also a LOT of Stalberg hate. I love the guy and think he has been great for the team this year, if not mildly misused by Q. Or totally misused from time to time?

 

[nwfisch]

I like Bickell... I see him getting signed... plays better in the playoffs because the playoffs are a more physical game... during the regular season you will see a lot more fights when guys are hitting... but not in the playoffs... teams cant really afford a lot of goons... Bickell being able to play and being a big guy that hits totally works to his advantage in the playoffs... and really provides the team with the one thing it lacks... Strength...

I disagree with Victor Stalberg Assessment...

The guy is a strong skater... just doesn't get enough time... He will be a future 1st liner on an above average team with a solid 1st line... has gotten better every game this year... I wonder if some of you are blind... or just love to agree with popular opinion all the time...

People just can't appreciate Stalgod like we can. They jelly.

 

[Capt. Serious]

I like Bickell... I see him getting signed... plays better in the playoffs because the playoffs are a more physical game... during the regular season you will see a lot more fights when guys are hitting... but not in the playoffs... teams cant really afford a lot of goons... Bickell being able to play and being a big guy that hits totally works to his advantage in the playoffs... and really provides the team with the one thing it lacks... Strength...

I disagree with Victor Stalberg Assessment...

The guy is a strong skater... just doesn't get enough time... He will be a future 1st liner on an above average team with a solid 1st line... has gotten better every game this year... I wonder if some of you are blind... or just love to agree with popular opinion all the time...

1st liner & Stalberg in the same sentence?

Thanks for the laugh.

 

[DewsSox79]

I like Bickell... I see him getting signed... plays better in the playoffs because the playoffs are a more physical game... during the regular season you will see a lot more fights when guys are hitting... but not in the playoffs... teams cant really afford a lot of goons... Bickell being able to play and being a big guy that hits totally works to his advantage in the playoffs... and really provides the team with the one thing it lacks... Strength...

I disagree with Victor Stalberg Assessment...

The guy is a strong skater... just doesn't get enough time... He will be a future 1st liner on an above average team with a solid 1st line... has gotten better every game this year... I wonder if some of you are blind... or just love to agree with popular opinion all the time...

looks like il reapeat myself again. Stalberg is fast, but fast doesnt = a good skater. his hands are awful and thats what really does him in.

 

[Chris Sojka]

1st liner & Stalberg in the same sentence?

Thanks for the laugh.

the funny part is he had as many points as the captain in game 5 of the second series of the playoffs... are you serious? if his goal would have counted in game 4... that game would have had a completely different had the ref gotten the call right...

and probably with half the ice time... so ehhhhhhhhh wtf are you talking about... he has been awesome controlling the puck... getting it to the net... and making things happen in the offensive zone... and he is doing that with relatively unproven players... not guys like hossa toews kane sharp or saad...

he is also 6'3'' 210lbs... and is faster than everyone in the league... speed like that is very very rare...

 

[X]

I think Bickell is both -- a good NHL player, who's playing over his head at times partially due to trying to earn that next contract. Personally, I believe he skates w/ a different sweater next year.