I think Kyle is athletic, but just a terrible skater and as you point out fundamentally flawed. He has a hell of a quick release, which he never uses, and is okay with the puck in open space but this is the NHL, not NCAA. He's never improved since his first game up...
- keaner17

9 times out of 10 when he takes a shot the goaltender, the defence, and pretty much every fan behind the net knows exactly where he's going with it.

If you actually focus on him and watch him play it's pretty funny. He really can't skate and constantly takes himself out of the play. His play has actually regressed.
- Cptmjl

It's so damn true. About two games ago, a puck was shot in on the Caps goalie and as he froze the puck, suddenly appearing to the far right of my TV screen was KO sliding on his butt towards the goalie. I just started laughing at him and my wife thought I was nuts. I simply said, Kyle's more effective than the zamboni at scraping the ice...

I think Kyle is athletic, but just a terrible skater and as you point out fundamentally flawed. He has a hell of a quick release, which he never uses, and is okay with the puck in open space but this is the NHL, not NCAA. He's never improved since his first game up...
- keaner17

I think he has the skill to be a decent second line player although third line is probably more suitable for him. He just doesn't seem to put the effort in during the offseason. Thats when he should be training and working on his skating so when the season starts there should be noticeable improvement. When he shows little to no improvement in that aspect of his game, I just assume he's not really working on it.

It's so damn true. About two games ago, a puck was shot in on the Caps goalie and as he froze the puck, suddenly appearing to the far right of my TV screen was KO sliding on his butt towards the goalie. I just started laughing at him and my wife thought I was nuts. I simply said, Kyle's more effective than the zamboni at scraping the ice...
- keaner17

The one thing that infuraites me is when he is stick checking with one hand on the stick, any NHL player just pushes his hand out of the way. I'm always thinking to myself, do you think that is doing a damn thing Kyle? It's lead to a few goals against this season and those are the ones I caught. It's like he never matured from the collegiate level.

Meanwhile, Reasoner reminds me of Randy from 'A Christmas Story'. He's always so far behind the play it's like watching the scene's where Scott Farcus is chasing Ralphie and his friends while Randy always trails all of them by 40 feet.

I think he has the skill to be a decent second line player although third line is probably more suitable for him. He just doesn't seem to put the effort in during the offseason. Thats when he should be training and working on his skating so when the season starts there should be noticeable improvement. When he shows little to no improvement in that aspect of his game, I just assume he's not really working on it.
- TurkishPancake

I don't agree. You don't put someone who can't hit or muck it up in the corners let alone stay on his skates on your third line. Eventually there will be no place for him unless he goes and sees Tavares's skating coach and drastically improves his overall game. There are just too many holes in his game IMO to even warrant a spot. So far he has shown an unwillingness to do so(work on his game), I'm not expecting it.

I don't agree. You don't put someone who can't hit or muck it up in the corners let alone stay on his skates on your third line. Eventually there will be no place for him unless he goes and sees Tavares's skating coach and drastically improves his overall game. There are just too many holes in his game IMO to even warrant a spot. So far he has shown an unwillingness to do so(work on his game), I'm not expecting it.
- Cptmjl

so whats nielsens excuse?

Meanwhile, Reasoner reminds me of Randy from 'A Christmas Story'. He's always so far behind the play it's like watching the scene's where Scott Farcus is chasing Ralphie and his friends while Randy always trails all of them by 40 feet.
- keaner17

The three blatantly bad players for me have been Reasoner, Okposo, and Boyes. Reasoner just should'nt be playing. Boyes is another player you just don't know what to do with, he just does'nt play a solid role in any way.

The three blatantly bad players for me have been Reasoner, Okposo, and Boyes. Reasoner just should'nt be playing. Boyes is another player you just don't know what to do with, he just does'nt play a solid role in any way.
- Cptmjl

i hope moulson is playing through an injury cause we are pretty close to throwing him into that mix as well

so whats nielsens excuse?
- TurkishPancake

Nielsen is a usually defensive center who belongs on the third line bcs his game is'nt about scoring completely. He is defensively sound(not as much this year)and plays a "quiet" game kind of like Kenny Jonnson. He also goes into the corners and comes out with it much more than Okposo. Okposo is not defensive nor offensive nor a hitter, you know where I'm going with this....

i hope moulson is playing through an injury cause we are pretty close to throwing him into that mix as well
- NYI78

Yeah, he's been pretty bad for a while now. I really think getting Boyes off that line will do both Tavares and him some good. I know he's been blaringly bad on both sides of the puck but Boyes is constantly holding up that line. I have no idea what he is still doing there?

Nielsen is a usually defensive center who belongs on the third line bcs his game is'nt about scoring completely. He is defensively sound(not as much this year)and plays a "quiet" game kind of like Kenny Jonnson. He also goes into the corners and comes out with it much more than Okposo. Okposo is not defensive nor offensive nor a hitter, you know where I'm going with this....
- Cptmjl

you just dont' like him cause he's black and you have a mancrush on nielsen

you just dont' like him cause he's black and you have a mancrush on nielsen
- TurkishPancake

absolutely

Yeah, he's been pretty bad for a while now. I really think getting Boyes off that line will do both Tavares and him some good. I know he's been blaringly bad on both sides of the puck but Boyes is constantly holding up that line. I have no idea what he is still doing there?
- Cptmjl

the problem with mouslon is he brings nothing but scoring goals...he doesn't finish checks..its like he is alergic to contact

I think at this point people are trying to find a way to like him bcs we are playing good? KO is weak on the puck, can't skate, checks with one hand on his stick, is completely ineffective in the corners. I can go on with this . He's just not a good player who does'nt play to his ability, not that I think he has that much ability
- Cptmjl

I don't know, Cpt...I call 'em like I see 'em, and while I have written plenty of bad things about KO, and still stand by them -- particularly his need to improve his skating -- I can't deny how much better his forechecking has been lately. He's winning battles for the puck...I thought that was pretty obvious, personally, but I guess not from what you and others are writing. That line's getting great offensive zone time, and as far as I can see, KO and Bailey are the ones doing all the work along the boards to make that happen.

Nielsen is a usually defensive center who belongs on the third line bcs his game is'nt about scoring completely. He is defensively sound(not as much this year)and plays a "quiet" game kind of like Kenny Jonnson. He also goes into the corners and comes out with it much more than Okposo. Okposo is not defensive nor offensive nor a hitter, you know where I'm going with this....
- Cptmjl

My problem is that Nielsen's inability to play physical offensively or defensively is what keeps him from being an effective 3rd line center. He's way too much of a finess player to try locking in on another teams top line center, especially if that player has any size or strength to their game.

i hope moulson is playing through an injury cause we are pretty close to throwing him into that mix as well
- NYI78

I hope thats the case. Other than shooting and standing in front of the other teams goalie, I've just never liked his game. I've always thought of him as the best worst player I've ever seen.

I don't know, Cpt...I call 'em like I see 'em, and while I have written plenty of bad things about KO, and still stand by them -- particularly his need to improve his skating -- I can't deny how much better his forechecking has been lately. He's winning battles for the puck...I thought that was pretty obvious, personally, but I guess not from what you and others are writing. That line's getting great offensive zone time, and as far as I can see, KO and Bailey are the ones doing all the work along the boards to make that happen.
- UIF

I think Kyle's battle level has been better lately. He's definitely playing with more intensity, but he often holds the puck too long and tries to battle through multiple players rather than pushing the puck. It's not necessarily a lack of on ice effort, it's a lack of basic fundamentals that keeps him from become a true second line player.

the problem with mouslon is he brings nothing but scoring goals...he doesn't finish checks..its like he is alergic to contact
- NYI78

He sort of reminds me of a lesser Luc Robitaille

Yeah, he's been pretty bad for a while now. I really think getting Boyes off that line will do both Tavares and him some good. I know he's been blaringly bad on both sides of the puck but Boyes is constantly holding up that line. I have no idea what he is still doing there?
- Cptmjl

They better trade Boyes this week.

He sort of reminds me of a lesser Luc Robitaille
- keaner17

i don't even no how to respond to this one... can i just go with umm i don't think so?

My problem is that Nielsen's inability to play physical offensively or defensively is what keeps him from being an effective 3rd line center. He's way too much of a finess player to try locking in on another teams top line center, especially if that player has any size or strength to their game.
- keaner17

I agree Keaner I'm not saying the Isles should dump Frans for a pick but I would seriously look to deal Fran to fix a need on the team.

They better trade Boyes this week.
- mighty13duck

who the hell would want him?

My problem is that Nielsen's inability to play physical offensively or defensively is what keeps him from being an effective 3rd line center. He's way too much of a finess player to try locking in on another teams top line center, especially if that player has any size or strength to their game.
- keaner17

Nielsen is like an in between player. He's not skilled enough to be a top six and he's too weak to be a good checker. He's positionally sound and has some good speed and is good on the pk when physicality doesn't mean as much. I just dont' know where he would be best utilized.

They better trade Boyes this week.
- mighty13duck

Yes please and no three year deal for Streit. Especially with guys like Reinhart, Pedan and hopefully Mayfield on the way.