Wasting away in Grinderville

[juan good eye]

Alexey Toropchenko
Age: 26
6’ 6”
225lb

Great size. Great physicality. Good speed. Below average puck skills. Career 66pts in 293 games with limited minutes.

Why not convert Toro into a physical, stay at home dman?

With his Parayko-like tools he could be more valuable on the backend opposed to a career jag.

Otherwise tell this kid he can be a top power forward and put him on the second line and power play to finish the season. As a statue in front of the net he should be good for double digit goals with a grinder mentality.

Thoughts on either?

[Hazelwood72]

Wastin’ away again in Grinderville
Lookin’ for my large stud D-man
Some people claim there’s an Armstrong to blame
Well I think it’s the scouts own dang fault

[Hazelwood72]

Hey Juan,
All bad music and kidding aside, I wouldn’t mind seeing Toro converted to power forward perhaps in the style of Pat Maroon.

I don’t know how difficult it would be learning defense for someone who’s never played it (and I could be wrong — has he played D in his previous roles?)

Gotta give you credit for thinking out of the box!

[Absolut]

Hey Juan,
All bad music and kidding aside, I wouldn’t mind seeing Toro converted to power forward perhaps in the style of Pat Maroon.

I don’t know how difficult it would be learning defense for someone who’s never played it (and I could be wrong — has he played D in his previous roles?)

Gotta give you credit for thinking out of the box!

Can he skate backwards well enough? He’s kind of an a to b skater. I don’t see defensemen conversion.

[juan good eye]

Hey Juan,
All bad music and kidding aside, I wouldn’t mind seeing Toro converted to power forward perhaps in the style of Pat Maroon.

I don’t know how difficult it would be learning defense for someone who’s never played it (and I could be wrong — has he played D in his previous roles?)

Gotta give you credit for thinking out of the box!

Can he skate backwards well enough? He’s kind of an a to b skater. I don’t see defensemen conversion.

If Skip Schumacher can learn to play 2b at the MLB level what’s the harm with a pro hockey player learning to skate backwards? The bar is Tyler Tucker

[juan good eye]

Hey Juan,
All bad music and kidding aside, I wouldn’t mind seeing Toro converted to power forward perhaps in the style of Pat Maroon.

I don’t know how difficult it would be learning defense for someone who’s never played it (and I could be wrong — has he played D in his previous roles?)

Gotta give you credit for thinking out of the box!

Pat Maroon is who came to mind for me. He put up some goals in Edmonton with McDavid…two ways of looking at that

[Absolut]

Hey Juan,
All bad music and kidding aside, I wouldn’t mind seeing Toro converted to power forward perhaps in the style of Pat Maroon.

I don’t know how difficult it would be learning defense for someone who’s never played it (and I could be wrong — has he played D in his previous roles?)

Gotta give you credit for thinking out of the box!

Can he skate backwards well enough? He’s kind of an a to b skater. I don’t see defensemen conversion.

If Skip Schumacher can learn to play 2b at the MLB level what’s the harm with a pro hockey player learning to skate backwards? The bar is Tyler Tucker

Checkmate. I concede!

[Harry S Deals]

Uh.... wow

Yea the Blues must be holding Torop back why hasnt Toropchenko become the next Shanahan with this size??? Cmon man

[Old_Goat]

Well, I don't think he could blossom into a Brent Burns caliber, but this could be more than just throwing something against the wall to see if it sticks. I do admire somebody who at least is thinking, trying, not just whining and beating a dead horse of disappointment. So, you started a fairly good thread here. And the responses are very good.
So, here's my take: I do not believe that Toropchenko possesses the puck protection skills that Maroon has/had, nor those that the other big much slower forward Sundqvist has. But hey, the net front presence could possibly be of value, since we really are missing in that area?
The concern expressed about dexterity and ability in skating backwards is very valid. I've not seen enough of him in that mode to know if that is something that he can do now, or quickly improve? That would be something to consider focusing on over the summer? Or maybe just put him there now, so we can really improve our odds in this coming draft.

[netboy65]

How about we get a defenseman to play defense?
Torop will never be more than 4th line, he’s got no hands whatsoever

[Old_Goat]

How about we get a defenseman to play defense?
Torop will never be more than 4th line, he’s got no hands whatsoever

You are right. We are NOT that desperate.

[danno]

I'd be satisfied with him on the 4th line if Monty would just tell him to hit every player in sight. I don't care if he even touches the puck. He could be a very punishing force given his size and speed. I mean, cmon guys this season is toast. Its time to get nasty out there. All wishful thinking because I know it won't happen. As reavo would say, "make hockey violent again*

[dhsux]

Well, I don't think he could blossom into a Brent Burns caliber, but this could be more than just throwing something against the wall to see if it sticks. I do admire somebody who at least is thinking, trying, not just whining and beating a dead horse of disappointment. So, you started a fairly good thread here. And the responses are very good.
So, here's my take: I do not believe that Toropchenko possesses the puck protection skills that Maroon has/had, nor those that the other big much slower forward Sundqvist has. But hey, the net front presence could possibly be of value, since we really are missing in that area?
The concern expressed about dexterity and ability in skating backwards is very valid. I've not seen enough of him in that mode to know if that is something that he can do now, or quickly improve? That would be something to consider focusing on over the summer? Or maybe just put him there now, so we can really improve our odds in this coming draft.

I feel if Torop had the hands of a forward he would be doing great/better right where his is.

[LGB73]

I'm pretty sure our worst defenseman in Springfield would be a better option than trying to convert a 4th line F to D.

[BalotelliMassive]

Nibblin' on Imos
Watchin' from Bevo
All of those skaters covered, can't score
Hummin an Urge song
Repack the glass bong
Smell of trash their beginning to tank

Wastin' away again in Midwest Grinderville
Searchin' for a player that can shoot
Some people claim that there's a GM to blame
But I know, it's Bolduc's fault

[Cahokanut]

If it was easy everyone would do it.
However I'm sure that this has been management plans.
As odd as it is. Every st louis coach has put a guy whose first skill is hard work in a top six position. Including Toro for many minutes this year.

It doesn't work. But Kyrou doesn't hit and isn't great at defense .