Forward vs Defense Discussion

mtsouth · Post by **mtsouth** » Thu Apr 23, 2009 6:44 pm

What separation is made between forwards and defensemen? I guess what I'm asking is what causes a player to be labeled as such early on. Is it stick ability? Speed? Offensive/defensive skills?

I guess I see hockey as like basketball except that players are more "pigeon holed" into positions. In basketball, your height somewhat determines what position you play (you don't see many PGs over 6-5 for a reason or C's below 6-9). What factors are used in hockey to determine that player A should be a forward and player B should be a defenseman?

I'm also wondering what would happen if a team started using more hybrid type players. Instead of 3/2 split, what if you ran out 3 guys who can score and two who are strong on D? I know the Canes used a 5 F PP for the last few years. I'm wondering why teams don't attempt this.

From an EHM perspective, it's something I'm thinking about doing with my AHL team. Obviously, you'll need to balance the lines out in terms of scoring/defense/etc. With a good number of two-way forwards, I'm sure a team could do well running out lines of 5 balanced players who are threats. It would be interesting to see how typical lockdown forwards fare as defensemen and offensemen as wingers.

Just thinking out loud. If this needs to be moved to another area or merged with another thread, please accept my apologies. I wasn't sure exactly where this should fit in.

MOD NOTE: Renamed subject. "A Stupid Question" isn't a very descriptive subject line. In the future, please give a subject line that actually describes what you're talking about. - B72

Post by **getzlaf15** » Thu Apr 23, 2009 7:12 pm

I've never used 5 forwards on the PP in EHM. I've never even used 4 to be honest. I've always gone with a my top forwards and tend to place 2 offensive defensman in with them. I don't like the idea of being loaded up with forwards just in case of shorthanded situations. May have to try using the 4 forwards, using the forward with the best Slappshot on the blue line maybe.

In real life. My rec team mainly consists of the bigger people on Defense who don't mind playing more physical than others (Although we have a couple of grinders as forwards). Players with better backward skating ability. Players with better pokecheck ability. Whereas the forwards on my team tend have much better shooting and stickhandling than our defensman.

We are just a saturday night team though. Pro's may be a little different. Players tend to have better all round abilities, i.e. they can all stick handle, they can all shoot.

WAHOO: 1000th Post!

selne · Post by **selne** » Thu Apr 23, 2009 9:58 pm

What position do you play, Getzy?

Post by **getzlaf15** » Thu Apr 23, 2009 10:16 pm

Right Wing, left handed shot. I'm the small and fast one of the team. I've never liked playing defense in any sport i played (was a striker in football). I'm not the best with the rough stuff.

We have limited contact in our league though, but i still get caught with my head down. I prefer to be scoring and making plays rather than stopping them, though. Do you play?

selne · Post by **selne** » Thu Apr 23, 2009 11:39 pm

Used to play a bit. But nothing professional, just for fun!!:-)

How could i describe my role on the team.. I was the guy to make the opponent laugh with some special self designed moves

The "Regersky" is the most famous among them! It's a spin o rama on the bottom!! They other guys were laughing so much that they totally forgot about the game!!

Played right wing first in my career but i was always backchecking so they put me on center..

I'm right handed for the normal part of my life, but have a left handed very precise shot into the boards!