Kapanen to spend time as defenseman in camp

[TestSubjekt]

I saw this on rotoworld.com

Sami Kapanen will spend time as a defenceman during training camp.
"This is what I'm thinking," Flyers' coach Ken Hitchcock said, "If you use a forward on defense on the power play and on the penalty kill, and late in the game you are down two goals, why not take the chance and put your best transitional player back there on defense? He gives you both offense and defense. So we're going to let Kappy do this during camp and in the exhibitions. There are always special situations during the season that come up and you use two forwards on the point. We want Kappy to practice back there. Why not try it for an extended period in camp so he gets it down?" Sounds like a plan, although from a fantasy perspective we are not sure it will increase Kapanen's totals this season, but he will likely get more ice-time as a result.
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer & Daily News

It's an interesting idea.

[BroadST]

Interesting, especially given out current situation on defense. The thing that worries me about this is Kapanen and his desire to play defense. 2 years ago, after playing defense for most of the playoffs, Sami wanted to retire. I just hope Hitch doesn't chase him into retirement with this.

[fire_bettman]

i dont like the idea of this experiment at this point of the guys career.

playing the point on the pwr play is 1 thing but exc for an emergency fill in i dont want to see him on defense

[Chief97]

The problem is that we have too many one way contracts on D. The Goat, Joni, Rathje, Hatcher, Meyer, Baumgartner and (Gulp) Randy Jones are all on 1 way contracts. Someone has to get traded or be released, and regardless of his speed the only one Kappy is better than is Jones.

I'll pass.

[BroadST]

Randy Jones is on a 1 way contract. What the hell was Clarke smoking that day?

[Chief97]

freezepop said:

Randy Jones is on a 1 way contract. What the hell was Clarke smoking that day?

What's really screwy is that Alexandre Picard is on a 2 way deal, and I think he's better than Jones.

[fire_bettman]

im not impressed with either one and baumgartner really should be on a 2 way as well

[BroadST]

Did Baumgartner spend any time in the minors last season?

[fire_bettman]

not sure i think it may have been his first full season sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/1360/career;_ylt=ApuPHY7udKaWAjhTSIY3gBJivLYF

[Chief97]

Baumgartner will be fine.