Listening to a little bit of the talking heads before puck drop and they were saying for forwards, only 6 goals have come from our bottom 6 and 2 of those were from Vey on the 1st unit pp. See a shake up coming there.

For d, I am not sure if part of bringing Corrado up is to have him practice and hangout with the big club? Who knows what goes through the mind of WD and management? I'd like to see Corrado in the lineup just to get a look.

So early in the season. Not sure if poor play is all on individual players or team systems? Benning is assessing what he has and we will see some trades when he has seen enough.
- hillbillydeluxe

Sbisa is an adventure(understatement). Bieksa is looking like he is having issues(face palm). Weber is almost as bad as Sbisa(understatement). Elder looks decent(starting to hit). Tanev looks decent(great first passer). Hammer looks good but seems to be having trouble with the face guard.

Listening to a little bit of the talking heads before puck drop and they were saying for forwards, only 6 goals have come from our bottom 6 and 2 of those were from Vey on the 1st unit pp. See a shake up coming there.

For d, I am not sure if part of bringing Corrado up is to have him practice and hangout with the big club? Who knows what goes through the mind of WD and management? I'd like to see Corrado in the lineup just to get a look.

So early in the season. Not sure if poor play is all on individual players or team systems? Benning is assessing what he has and we will see some trades when he has seen enough.
- hillbillydeluxe

I don't see how we do a shakeup there. We have nothing of value to trade outside of Vey and Richardson. We cant trade either since losing them would mean we will officially become the worst F/O team in the league and would lose all production from the bottom 6. Hansen has no value beyond a 4-5th round pick at the moment. Mathias is in the same boat. We cant trade Dorsett as he is the only bottom 6 that plays hard every shift and game. We cant trade Kassian because for some reason the mgmnt still thinks he is top 6 material and will develop even after 4 years of seeing him not improve. Don't get me wrong, this year I have already seen 3 games from start to finish and compared to LY I only made to the end for 2 games in the entire season.

I don't see how we do a shakeup there. We have nothing of value to trade outside of Vey and Richardson. We cant trade either since losing them would mean we will officially become the worst F/O team in the league and would lose all production from the bottom 6. Hansen has no value beyond a 4-5th round pick at the moment. Mathias is in the same boat. We cant trade Dorsett as he is the only bottom 6 that plays hard every shift and game. We cant trade Kassian because for some reason the mgmnt still thinks he is top 6 material and will develop even after 4 years of seeing him not improve. Don't get me wrong, this year I have already seen 3 games from start to finish and compared to LY I only made to the end for 2 games in the entire season.
- Linden_4_Capt

My wife has already watched a few games this season. She couldn't stand watching at all last year. Even she was saying they have a much better flow and seems faster paced. Way different style this season and more enjoyable to watch.

Listening to a little bit of the talking heads before puck drop and they were saying for forwards, only 6 goals have come from our bottom 6 and 2 of those were from Vey on the 1st unit pp. See a shake up coming there.

For d, I am not sure if part of bringing Corrado up is to have him practice and hangout with the big club? Who knows what goes through the mind of WD and management? I'd like to see Corrado in the lineup just to get a look.

So early in the season. Not sure if poor play is all on individual players or team systems? Benning is assessing what he has and we will see some trades when he has seen enough.
- hillbillydeluxe

Exactly this. Let's allow Benning to get to know his team before we start screaming at him to make a move.

Exactly this. Let's allow Benning to get to know his team before we start screaming at him to make a move.
- CubanBuffet

Its been a month or so. Never to soon to critically assess roster players.

This sucks. Sbisa has been brutal and Weber brings no value to the team yet they keep getting the minutes while Corrado sits. I am not saying Corrada is better but give him a look to see what he can do. Especially after the game Sbisa had in Colorado. This positive reinforcement from WD is frustrating. Sometimes if a player has a bad game then he needs to sit in the press box to reflect on that bad game and not put back in the very next game to prove himself.
I am all for developing players but this is NHL and AHL. There is a lot of money on the line from Ownership to fans to be putting up this crap.
- Linden_4_Capt

What? Am I missing something? Didn't Sbisa take that positive reinforcement and get the game winner in the next game...?

I'd like to see the prospects get some time, but I think they will when the injury bug hits (and it ALWAYS hits).

I don't see how we do a shakeup there. We have nothing of value to trade outside of Vey and Richardson. We cant trade either since losing them would mean we will officially become the worst F/O team in the league and would lose all production from the bottom 6. Hansen has no value beyond a 4-5th round pick at the moment. Mathias is in the same boat. We cant trade Dorsett as he is the only bottom 6 that plays hard every shift and game. We cant trade Kassian because for some reason the mgmnt still thinks he is top 6 material and will develop even after 4 years of seeing him not improve. Don't get me wrong, this year I have already seen 3 games from start to finish and compared to LY I only made to the end for 2 games in the entire season.
- Linden_4_Capt

If Horvat looks good for his 9 games and stays, there is one change in the bottom 6 and I am guessing sooner or later Jensen will get called back up.

Looking at who should be shown the door, I think Hansen and Matthias would be the odd guys out. Now with that being said, injuries do occur and it is likely we will see someone go down and a spot open up.

Kassian is an interesting case, still might develop, took Bertuzzi a bit of time too. But yeah, he looks like he is playing in his own little world at times.

I can see Horvat as c on the 3rd line and Richardson centring the 4th.

If Jensen is called up, would like to see him on the wing by Bonino and maybe Higgins on the 3rd line with Horvat. That would really change the complexion of the bottom 6. Although I am still not sure about Vey on the 4th line, it would be small with Dorsett, Richardson and Vey, but I am not sure about putting 2 rookies on the same line either.

What? Am I missing something? Didn't Sbisa take that positive reinforcement and get the game winner in the next game...?

I'd like to see the prospects get some time, but I think they will when the injury bug hits (and it ALWAYS hits).
- Ronning4ever

Getting a goal even a game winner from Sbisa is awesome but it was still scary every time he was on the ice last night. I want him to play defence chip in at the appropriate times. How many odd man rushes did he give away to jump into the play in comparison to his one goal? Most teams won't let you make that many mistakes with out getting scored on. Colorado didn't nor did Tampa. Imo Washington played a good road game last night as aback to back game. Miller was the difference last night.

Listening to a little bit of the talking heads before puck drop and they were saying for forwards, only 6 goals have come from our bottom 6 and 2 of those were from Vey on the 1st unit pp. See a shake up coming there.
For d, I am not sure if part of bringing Corrado up is to have him practice and hangout with the big club? Who knows what goes through the mind of WD and management? I'd like to see Corrado in the lineup just to get a look.

So early in the season. Not sure if poor play is all on individual players or team systems? Benning is assessing what he has and we will see some trades when he has seen enough.
- hillbillydeluxe

That shake up will be Horvat, and hopefully he excels in that positions.

Getting a goal even a game winner from Sbisa is awesome but it was still scary every time he was on the ice last night. I want him to play defence chip in at the appropriate times. How many odd man rushes did he give away to jump into the play in comparison to his one goal? Most teams won't let you make that many mistakes with out getting scored on. Colorado didn't nor did Tampa. Imo Washington played a good road game last night as aback to back game. Miller was the difference last night.
- thundachunk

Yep, he looked good. (which emoticon could I use to give Miller his due, but not feel guilty about going behind Lack's back to say I am happy with Miller's performance buy my heart belongs to Lack?)

If Horvat looks good for his 9 games and stays, there is one change in the bottom 6 and I am guessing sooner or later Jensen will get called back up.

Looking at who should be shown the door, I think Hansen and Matthias would be the odd guys out. Now with that being said, injuries do occur and it is likely we will see someone go down and a spot open up.

Kassian is an interesting case, still might develop, took Bertuzzi a bit of time too. But yeah, he looks like he is playing in his own little world at times.

I can see Horvat as c on the 3rd line and Richardson centring the 4th.

If Jensen is called up, would like to see him on the wing by Bonino and maybe Higgins on the 3rd line with Horvat. That would really change the complexion of the bottom 6. Although I am still not sure about Vey on the 4th line, it would be small with Dorsett, Richardson and Vey, but I am not sure about putting 2 rookies on the same line either.
- hillbillydeluxe

Kassian was good last night. Strong on the puck. Strong positionally. Not using his size enough. He had a good game last night.

I don't see how we do a shakeup there. We have nothing of value to trade outside of Vey and Richardson.
- Linden_4_Capt

Sort of agreed. We have other assets to trade, but I don't think we should trade them.

I think we could do a shake up, but would involve switching folks in and out of the press box. I don't think this team is gunna trade it's way out of any problems with the possible exception of getting a person good at faceoffs.

What? Am I missing something? Didn't Sbisa take that positive reinforcement and get the game winner in the next game...?

I'd like to see the prospects get some time, but I think they will when the injury bug hits (and it ALWAYS hits).
- Ronning4ever

So by your concept it is ok to poop the bed for 7 straight games and then score a game winner in 8 all is forgiven. I am not saying trade or waive him. All I am saying is sometimes a little bad cop is needed. Too much of good cop is sometimes counter productive. PLayers need accountability.
Yes injury is inevitable as tide. But is that really a shakeup? We need to actually move some players to consider a shakeup.

Yep, he looked good. (which emoticon could I use to give Miller his due, but not feel guilty about going behind Lack's back to say I am happy with Miller's performance buy my heart belongs to Lack?)
- hillbillydeluxe

Not me i'm for whomever makes us better and right now its Miller. I am not jumping on a Miller bandwagon or anything but he is a proven starter. Lack is not. I don't like the cost of Miller but it doesn't mean he isn't a good goalie nor does his personality have any bearing on how well he plays. I would give him the reigns.

If Horvat looks good for his 9 games and stays, there is one change in the bottom 6 and I am guessing sooner or later Jensen will get called back up.

Looking at who should be shown the door, I think Hansen and Matthias would be the odd guys out. Now with that being said, injuries do occur and it is likely we will see someone go down and a spot open up.

Kassian is an interesting case, still might develop, took Bertuzzi a bit of time too. But yeah, he looks like he is playing in his own little world at times.

I can see Horvat as c on the 3rd line and Richardson centring the 4th.

If Jensen is called up, would like to see him on the wing by Bonino and maybe Higgins on the 3rd line with Horvat. That would really change the complexion of the bottom 6. Although I am still not sure about Vey on the 4th line, it would be small with Dorsett, Richardson and Vey, but I am not sure about putting 2 rookies on the same line either.
- hillbillydeluxe

Call me a cynic but I am not the one to hitch my wagon to an 18 year old just yet. Bo might be as advertised but he is still an 18yo that already has a ton of pressure playing in this market and to add on top of that he was traded for what many believed was our #1 goalie.
Jensen needs a whole year in NA to round out his game. His stint in Sweden did not help him. I think Vey needs to play with Bonino to get this pull potential.

Its been a month or so. Never to soon to critically assess roster players.
- thundachunk

Disagree, new coach and small sample size(for Benning anyway). I'm sure he watched tape of last year but live scouting is something he values more plus this is a completely different system that may or may not suit some players.

Not the smartest guy but has good wheels. Guess this is the best you can hope for, it is just there seems to be more boneheaded plays than heads up play. The good and the bad.


- hillbillydeluxe

19th pick overall. Geez. You would think you could hope for more than just good wheels.

Kassian was good last night. Strong on the puck. Strong positionally. Not using his size enough. He had a good game last night.
- thundachunk

He still sucks at clearing the puck out of his zone, us fans don't care nearly as much as coaches do unless it results in a goal against of course.

19th pick overall. Geez. You would think you could hope for more than just good wheels.
- bloatedmosquito

Sign Patrick Stefan for his lottery pick skills. What's Cam Barker up to these days?

Exactly this. Let's allow Benning to get to know his team before we start screaming at him to make a move.
- CubanBuffet

If I was Benning/WD a -5 would get my attention.

I understand that +/- is a skewed stat but a -5 does say something about a player's 'compete level'. A substitution in this case is warranted. WD's system of rolling 4 lines and 3 defensive pairings demands that every player brings their best every night. In WD's system no player can take the night off.

Sign Patrick Stefan for his lottery pick skills. What's Cam Barker up to these days?
- Nucker101

Exactly. Lot's of examples of high picks not working out but that doesn't mean fans and hockey clubs can't expect more from these players.

Is our hockey culture that bad that we should now expect high draft picks to be average to below-average players; and be surprised when they meet or exceed those expectations?

If I was Benning/WD a -5 would get my attention.

I understand that +/- is a skewed stat but a -5 does say something about a player's
'compete level'. A substitution in this case is warranted. WD's system of rolling 4 lines and 3 defensive pairings demands that every player brings their best every night. In WD's system no player can take the night off.
- bloatedmosquito

Yeah, this is the bottom line for this year. I don't doubt their work ethic but everyone has to be consistent in their play. WD definitely doesn't seem like a guy who'll bench players during the game to send a message. If you're in the lineup you'll be playing.

Its been a month or so. Never to soon to critically assess roster players.
- thundachunk

My fear is that this team is a mid table team at the moment. And if we are still mid table at TDL mgmn will make changes to improve the tame for the push. Except I have said this before and will say it again, only 10% of tdl trades have any actual impact in the post season. If we are buyers at tdl, no team will take on guys like Burrows, Hansen, Mathias, for their pending UFA stars. So we will either trade youth or future (picks). Either scenario does not sit well with me. That is why we need to trade now, and move character guys like Mathias and Hansen and Burrows for picks or NHL ready players. Then at TDL move some pieces like Kassian and Vey if we feel the need to improve the team.

Exactly. Lot's of examples of high picks not working out but that doesn't mean fans and hockey clubs can't expect more from these players.

Is our hockey culture that bad that we should now expect high draft picks to be average to below-average players; and be surprised when they meet or exceed those expectations?
- bloatedmosquito

Once they've been traded or let go a couple of times, yes expectations should be adjusted.

Not me i'm for whomever makes us better and right now its Miller. I am not jumping on a Miller bandwagon or anything but he is a proven starter. Lack is not. I don't like the cost of Miller but it doesn't mean he isn't a good goalie nor does his personality have any bearing on how well he plays. I would give him the reigns.
- thundachunk

Can't argue with that. Wasn't for the signing, but Miller has played very good for the most part. And I am not against trading Lack to address needs or to get a good pick/prospect- we are deepest in goal with Markstrom and Eriksson on the farm, why not use it.

Not jumping on the Miller bandwagon, but if he is hot then you ride him.