"[Former Bears President and GM Frank] Mathers believed in the Rule of 6 — six veterans, six depth...

"[Former Bears President and GM Frank] Mathers believed in the Rule of 6 — six veterans, six depth players and six prospects — as the basis upon which to build a team. By working with the NHL teams Hershey has been affiliated with since he took over, Yingst has done much the same.

"That was evident with the latest Calder Cup championship, a team that included veterans Giroux, Aucoin, Mink, Helmer, Laing and Arsene; depth players like Bourque, Wilson, Sloan, Kronwall, Reid and Lepisto; prospects like Osala, Neuvirth, Perreault, Bouchard, Alzner and Carlson."

- Lebanon Daily News

almost 3 years ago J.P. 11 comments 0 recs |

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interesting that Bourque is listed as a “depth” player and not a prospect. Wonder if the Caps view him in the same way.

by RedBirdie on Jun 15, 2009 12:42 PM EDT reply actions

I think it’s depth with regards to Hershey, as the prospects are all pro rookies.

by honed on Jun 15, 2009 12:46 PM EDT up reply actions

I thought this was a pretty interesting formula, and wonder how well it could translate up a level (tweaked a little). For example, next year’s Caps could be characterized something like this:

Veterans: Theodore, Poti, Ovechkin, Semin, Clark, Laich, Pothier
Depth: Bradley, Gordon, Steckel, Fehr, Flash, Juice, Erskine
Developing: Backstrom, Alzner, Green, Schultz, Varly, Bourque

But maybe that’s just me shoe-horning guys into this mold.

Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world

by J.P. on Jun 15, 2009 12:46 PM EDT reply actions

A couple of thoughts, It looks like goaltenders weren’t included in the list, only skaters… Do you think thats beacuse of the AHL/NHL difference?

Also I would think that the NHL has a little longer timeframe for developing? ie would flash and fehr be moved to the still developing? I think we may be a little heavier on the development side. Just a thought

by MetalCap on Jun 15, 2009 1:03 PM EDT up reply actions

Neuvy is on the Hershey list under “prospects”

by RedBirdie on Jun 15, 2009 1:15 PM EDT up reply actions

Doh!

by MetalCap on Jun 15, 2009 4:24 PM EDT up reply actions

I think we’ve got more developing than anything else. Semin, Flash, and even Ovi are still in that stage in my mind. This is to be expected given how things are being built. Gotta walk before you can run.

by Carl Putnam on Jun 15, 2009 1:04 PM EDT up reply actions

After I read your list I got really happy because Backstrom is still developing. He’s already an absolute beast. I think a lot of us sometimes forget how young he is and how much more he potentially has to offer.

by zephyr on Jun 15, 2009 1:29 PM EDT up reply actions

Looking at it that way, even our veterans are pretty inexperienced. So maybe there really is nowhere to go but up — but on the other hand, a bit more age and wisdom in the lineup could be helpful.

by CapitalCentre on Jun 15, 2009 2:53 PM EDT up reply actions

And the lineup will be, I guess, shifted to the “veteran” category all at the same time.

by red army line on Jun 15, 2009 7:27 PM EDT up reply actions

I think the way they use the term, any established star/scorer/stud fits in the “Veteran” category, and the depth category is for established role players. In other words, with the Veterans and Depth categories, you pretty much know what you’ve got. So I’d go with this:

Veterans/Stars: Ovechkin, Backstrom, Semin, Green, Poti, Laich
Depth: Bradley, Gordon, Steckel, Pothier, Clark, Erskine, Theo, Johnny, Juice, Morrisonn, Aucoin (pick 6)
Developing: Varlamov, Flash, Fehr, Alzner, Schultz, Carlson, Bourque, Neuvirth

I’d love to see the team sign a solid center to knock Laich down to “Depth” where he probably belongs. Likewise, it’d be nice if a developing defenseman establishes himself as a star (or the Caps acquire a star D-man) to knock Poti down to Depth.

by Gould Old Days on Jun 16, 2009 4:13 AM EDT reply actions