Comments on: Sharks’ Thornton would ‘love’ Burns on his line for rest of season

By: sjsblitz

sjsblitz — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 03:28:15 +0000

he’s already done more than the entire 4th line. If anything its good to see Burnzie back

By: sjsharks66

sjsharks66 — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 01:14:48 +0000

I completely forgot about stuart. I would have to agree completely.

By: sjawesome

sjawesome — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 00:17:49 +0000

The sharks need a big body forward on the forecheck, I’m all for it. Plus it will help burns get back into game shape. With Irwin’s shot from the point I think keeping burns at forward will only help the team

By: sjsharks86

sjsharks86 — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 23:14:07 +0000

When it comes to the best blueliner debate you have to include Stuart in there, no one is more defensively responsible and he adds a bit of offense, albeit not as much as Boyler (& he may have the best +/- among D-Men, although I haven’t checked so don’t quote me on that). Boyle & Stuart both make everyone better when they’re on the ice though.

By: 19to77

19to77 — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 22:58:28 +0000

No kidding. His body type is pretty much ideal for a high-end power forward. Always wondered what the conversion was about. I figured it might have been because he was a slower skater back then and/or produced better from the point.

By: mnwildfan15

mnwildfan15 — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 21:59:59 +0000

Jacques ruined him, he should have been a winger all along. But that was his style defense first.

By: sjsharks66

sjsharks66 — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 21:44:00 +0000

Best defensemen on the sharks would have to be Boyle and Burns. Pickle is having a really bad year. Hope he can do better next year, example Paul Martin. Burns plays the offensive zone a lot, more then any D man on the sharks. (Besides boyle, i dont think anyone wants boyle as a forward though)

It makes sense that they would choose burns to be a forward for awhile.

By: phillyphanatic77

phillyphanatic77 — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 21:22:54 +0000

Quite an experiment. If Byfuglien can do it, then a player of Burns’ skill set can be successful doing it. I’ve always wondered why more teams don’t try this when they’re desperate. I know it’s not an ideal switch for NHL age players. And granted, it shouldn’t be attempted by every defender, but I’d imagine a player like Erik Karlsson would be a damn good forward. Not on a permanent basis but when in need.

By: 19to77

19to77 — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 21:21:08 +0000

Not “best” so much as “most expensive.” He was brought in as a pure offensive D and doesn’t offer a lot in his own zone.

By: colby7

colby7 — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 21:16:32 +0000

Isnt he their best defenceman? I can see sticking a 5d or 6d up there but you would think losing him would mess up all the D pairings.