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Post by notts1999 on Jul 15, 2022 10:38:44 GMT
Why are people dead on certain he is the announcement tonight?
Is he really good enough? Without his fighting would we be happy with him then?
For me, I want trophies not fights!
Will delete thread once the announcement has been made tonight of who has signed
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Post by samjohnson345 on Jul 15, 2022 10:50:22 GMT
It’s not as clear cut as ‘trophies or fights’. Our ‘nice’ team last season were bullied time and again, because no one acted as a deterrent so teams dialled up the physicality knowing nothing would come of it. Having someone like Gagnon (who would be the toughest player in the league) allows skilled players to play to their potential (and potentially win trophies) and equally deters opposition teams from trying to mix it up, as they know there’ll be retribution. Gagnon was a steady stay at home d man (as proven in a team that kept europes finest at bay for a spell) and I’d welcome him back to look after our lads and make the NIC tough to play in again. People talk about the 12/13 Grand Slam winning team saying that’s the best team we’ve had and how awesome they were, but what some forget is that we had a perfect combination of skill and toughness. We didn’t have to sacrifice being tough in order to win trophies. We had Beckett, Lepine and Wilson who all stood up for teammates, so I don’t see any reason why Gagnon (and hopefully Hunt as rumoured) can’t come in, give us that bite and edge, and allow us to be really competitive this season. My mate and I who sit together were infuriated last year, the amount of times we’d be losing at home and we didn’t have that spiky edge, I know they did, but it appeared that the team weren’t really annoyed with losing. Having Gagnon/ Hunt will hopefully eradicate that and if we are 2-0 down early against a Belfast for example, these two can wrestle the momentum with a hit, a fight or even some choice words. That’s my opinion anyway.
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Post by The Flying Shirt on Jul 15, 2022 11:00:42 GMT
Gagnon is a FAR better player now since he was with us. He was one of Manchester's best players last season
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Joe
Lorne Smith
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Post by Joe on Jul 15, 2022 12:54:33 GMT
My biggest worry with players like Gagnon and Hunt is that they’ve got it in them to lose their heads. I also don’t see many players in the league that are going to be willing opponents for them which could mean they get the instigator penalty called against them on a regular basis. Personally someone like Mark Louis and a couple of Jeff Brown type players give us grit, willing to start something to get the team going and will hold players accountable for their actions.
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Post by wgray on Jul 15, 2022 13:09:35 GMT
Gagnon can be relied upon to slot on the 3rd line and play a physical, defence first, shut down role. In 17/18 the team that he was part of started off superbly in the league (admittedly the wheels came off in December) and they gave us some of the greatest games in our history via the CHL.
The fact that he’d be one of the toughest in the league is just an additional positive. With Gagnon (and Hunt) I don’t think we’ll be going into Manchester and getting bullied by the likes of Springer and Wilson, a player like McNally won’t be running our defence men over like he did last season, because someone will be coming for them if they do. It’s good to have a loose cannon on your team as it puts the fear into the opposition imo.
The critical signings are going to be the two 1st line wingers we anticipate we need and another 1st line dman.
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Joe
Lorne Smith
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Post by Joe on Jul 15, 2022 13:41:31 GMT
Gagnon can be relied upon to slot on the 3rd line and play a physical, defence first, shut down role. In 17/18 the team that he was part of started off superbly in the league (admittedly the wheels came off in December) and they gave us some of the greatest games in our history via the CHL. The fact that he’d be one of the toughest in the league is just an additional positive. With Gagnon (and Hunt) I don’t think we’ll be going into Manchester and getting bullied by the likes of Springer and Wilson, a player like McNally won’t be running our defence men over like he did last season, because someone will be coming for them if they do. It’s good to have a loose cannon on your team as it puts the fear into the opposition imo. The critical signings are going to be the two 1st line wingers we anticipate we need and another 1st line dman. The physicality of last years team was an issue but I think bringing in Gagnon and Hunt is going too far the other way. I could be wrong but the lack of physicality didn’t seem to be an issue for the teams we’re trying to catch up to and they didn’t have anyone like Gagnon and Hunt. Also from what I can tell it doesn’t look like anyone has signed many players that would come in and bully players that we’ve already signed. |
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Post by wgray on Jul 15, 2022 14:28:19 GMT
Gagnon can be relied upon to slot on the 3rd line and play a physical, defence first, shut down role. In 17/18 the team that he was part of started off superbly in the league (admittedly the wheels came off in December) and they gave us some of the greatest games in our history via the CHL. The fact that he’d be one of the toughest in the league is just an additional positive. With Gagnon (and Hunt) I don’t think we’ll be going into Manchester and getting bullied by the likes of Springer and Wilson, a player like McNally won’t be running our defence men over like he did last season, because someone will be coming for them if they do. It’s good to have a loose cannon on your team as it puts the fear into the opposition imo. The critical signings are going to be the two 1st line wingers we anticipate we need and another 1st line dman. The physicality of last years team was an issue but I think bringing in Gagnon and Hunt is going too far the other way. I could be wrong but the lack of physicality didn’t seem to be an issue for the teams we’re trying to catch up to and they didn’t have anyone like Gagnon and Hunt. Also from what I can tell it doesn’t look like anyone has signed many players that would come in and bully players that we’ve already signed. You make a fair point about Belfast and Sheffield, they didn’t really have anyone who liked to be overly physical last season, they were solid but not overly aggressive. I suppose Cardiff did with Louis and McNally on board. Graham has got an idea of the team he wants to build, plus, there are different ways to win. He’s stated that he wants us to be horrible to play against, making the NIC a fortress, maybe bringing in Gagnon and Hunt will see us become the bullies, putting other teams off their game. |
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Post by Bagheera on Jul 15, 2022 15:45:15 GMT
We've had this discussion recently. Gagnon appears to be massively under rated amomgst some of our fan base.
A top line Dman he is not, but in the right group he is a superb player at this level. I think without his toughness he would be good enough for a 3rd pairing slot comfortably. He doesnt really lose his head too often, however can act as a deterant and drop them when needed.
When he was here before he ended up logging big,top pairing minutes as the team got progressively worse and suffered with injuries.
He probably slots as 4th/5th Dman. Ideally 3rd pairing but good enough to play 2nd if needed. As opposed to 2nd/3rd where should an injury happen he'd need to go top pairing.
For me he's a perfect example of a modern enforcer if you will. The equivelant of a power forward. Good enough to play the primary hockey role in it's own right, hard as nails and tough enough to take on anyone when needed.
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Post by bobness on Jul 15, 2022 17:01:59 GMT
We've had this discussion recently. Gagnon appears to be massively under rated amomgst some of our fan base. A top line Dman he is not, but in the right group he is a superb player at this level. I think without his toughness he would be good enough for a 3rd pairing slot comfortably. He doesnt really lose his head too often, however can act as a deterant and drop them when needed. When he was here before he ended up logging big,top pairing minutes as the team got progressively worse and suffered with injuries. He probably slots as 4th/5th Dman. Ideally 3rd pairing but good enough to play 2nd if needed. As opposed to 2nd/3rd where should an injury happen he'd need to go top pairing. For me he's a perfect example of a modern enforcer if you will. The equivelant of a power forward. Good enough to play the primary hockey role in it's own right, hard as nails and tough enough to take on anyone when needed. Don't think I'd disagree much with this. Teams that are "horrible to play against" have chippy, cheapshotting little sods who will start on you for no reason, and someone who makes you think twice about giving it back. See Cardiff, pretty much forever. Mark Louis is a beast of a player currently, Mcnally could almost do what he wanted? As has been said though, Belfast didn't really do that last year and they did OK. Whether it can be done in that particular way is yet to be seen. One thing's for certain "Fortress NIC" is exactly the right idea. 27 home games last season, 29 points. The other 3 of the "big 4", from their 27 home games? Belfast 47 Steelers 43 Devils 43 |
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Post by blackandgold73 on Jul 15, 2022 17:27:56 GMT
We've had this discussion recently. Gagnon appears to be massively under rated amomgst some of our fan base. A top line Dman he is not, but in the right group he is a superb player at this level. I think without his toughness he would be good enough for a 3rd pairing slot comfortably. He doesnt really lose his head too often, however can act as a deterant and drop them when needed. When he was here before he ended up logging big,top pairing minutes as the team got progressively worse and suffered with injuries. He probably slots as 4th/5th Dman. Ideally 3rd pairing but good enough to play 2nd if needed. As opposed to 2nd/3rd where should an injury happen he'd need to go top pairing. For me he's a perfect example of a modern enforcer if you will. The equivelant of a power forward. Good enough to play the primary hockey role in it's own right, hard as nails and tough enough to take on anyone when needed. One thing's for certain "Fortress NIC" is exactly the right idea. 27 home games last season, 29 points. The other 3 of the "big 4", from their 27 home games? Belfast 47 Steelers 43 Devils 43 Those numbers say it all. And illustrate why GG wants to change that narrative. No team wins a title without winning the majority of their home games first. |
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Post by jd on Jul 15, 2022 19:02:24 GMT
Confirmed he’s back
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Post by allingtonskates on Jul 15, 2022 19:03:25 GMT
Great signing
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Post by The Flying Shirt on Jul 15, 2022 19:08:14 GMT
Excellent signing
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Adi
Pat Casey
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Post by Adi on Jul 15, 2022 19:13:36 GMT
Very solid signing
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Post by samjohnson345 on Jul 15, 2022 19:14:36 GMT
Absolutely delighted.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 15, 2022 19:31:47 GMT
Solid! I do remember he was outstanding in our CHL run a few years ago!
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Post by Deleted on Jul 15, 2022 19:32:06 GMT
Definitely a wait and see signing Why have you never seen him play before? |
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Pies
Forum Moderator 
Reluctant Chief of ITK
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Post by Pies on Jul 15, 2022 19:34:50 GMT
Gagnon and Moore as our third line D IMO. I’m already keen for it! Can play the game, can score (that coast to coast goal against Cardiff anyone) and they don’t come much tougher
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Post by azbates on Jul 15, 2022 19:36:17 GMT
Great signing, decent d man and good to have a tough guy watching over and protecting our top players. I can see him being an important cog in the team if we are successful.
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iginla
Chick Zamick
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Post by iginla on Jul 15, 2022 19:40:03 GMT
Good signing.
The Panthers office must be getting a bit naffed off with this forum announcing players before the club.
The rumour mill is very effective this summer. 🤣
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 15, 2022 19:56:18 GMT
Well he was a better player at Manchester than he was at panthers (and he wasn't bad then) he's a solid middle pairing d man for this league
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Post by pantherlee on Jul 15, 2022 19:58:24 GMT
Why have you never seen him play before? I saw him play, I just think it's a wait and see signing regardless of whether or not you are happy to have him back because we've not watched him play regularly since 17/18 and the league has changed a lot since then It’s not changed that much. Similar standard of players. Same if not similar import limit (can’t remember exactly). It’s not like 10 years ago when when we only had 10 imports, 3 lines and the quality much lower |
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Post by pantherlee on Jul 15, 2022 20:14:43 GMT
It’s not changed that much. Similar standard of players. Same if not similar import limit (can’t remember exactly). It’s not like 10 years ago when when we only had 10 imports, 3 lines and the quality much lower The style has changed since then, it's much more skill based now and most teams lined up with 1 or 2 heavyweights back then but we barely had 3 in the league last year Their may be a tad fewer tough guys now than then and maybe physicality had dropped a bit but I wouldn’t say the skill level has overly changed. They same sort and same level of players are still coming now as there was then. Things may have changed a little but in my opinion not as much as you elude to and not to the extent that Gagnon won’t be able to adapt or maybe even take advantage of |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 15, 2022 20:15:13 GMT
We barely had 3 last year? But still managed to get bullied in a large portion of games though!
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KC93
Jade Galbraith
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Post by KC93 on Jul 15, 2022 20:34:13 GMT
We barely had 3 last year? But still managed to get bullied in a large portion of games though! Yes we got bullied on a regular basis last year and yes I'd say there was barely 3 heavyweights in the league last year, Haas, Springer and maybe Louis |
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