I was thinking that as I read "believes he can be a major factor on the powerplay", considering Fournier has already re-signed may last year have been A Hotham's final year? Or, may we have 3 (4 if we consider the amount of PP time Richie had last year) defenseman for the powerplay?
Have you thought about another scenario.....that no-one is leaving? Could be that one of our existing defencemen is changing to a forward position?
Let the speculation begin!
Welcome to Cardiff, Drew.
A great signing - a huge guy with pp skills, hardworking and a great team player.
There has been talk of Batch (presuming he re-signs) moving forward but if not this sounds reasonable. Still not totally convinced Louis will be back (although hope he is) and I still think we will have at least one Hoth on the team.
Have you thought about another scenario.....that no-one is leaving? Could be that one of our existing defencemen is changing to a forward position?
Let the speculation begin!
Welcome to Cardiff, Drew.
A great signing - a huge guy with pp skills, hardworking and a great team player.
But that would mean that both Batch and Moore, both usually D men, would now be forwards. That would be too bold to call I think, especially as we are expecting a tough guy of sorts so it wouldn't be the most experienced 4th line I would've imagined. One of them, maybe but not both.
Seems an almost like for like swap for Scott Hotham IMO.
You wouldn't want the league MVP and the top points scorer from a championship winning team, who also logs over 30 minutes a game, plays PK and PP and had the joint most fights on the team, to return over a goals conceded stat that you don't actually have access to... right... sounds logical.
Have you thought about another scenario.....that no-one is leaving? Could be that one of our existing defencemen is changing to a forward position?
Let the speculation begin!
Quite possibly. Batch was benched a couple of times towards the end of the season so perhaps we will go with 5 import Dmen.
Also, with Cully retiring we've lost his ability to drop back onto D due to injuries or suspensions. Signing 5 import D along with Moore and hopefully Batch means we would effectively have two spare defencemen who are also icing regularly as forwards.
Spot on thinking. Josh started his career as a forward. He would provide size and toughness on that 4th forward line.
Craig played in a forward position in earlier teams. For anyone to suggest they are defencemen that won't adapt is rubbish. Josh and Craig have played both positions. Seem to recall Richie started his career as a forward and made the switch.....and he didn't do too badly!