Michael Pachla: Quick hits on Jack Eichel, Sam Reinhart and the rest of the forwards

If we had guys playing to their individual potential we'd be in a much better spot. Reinhart's improvement has been the story of the month but I do want to see if he can take what he's learned and use it without being with ROR. He does that and he can take that next step which would be great not only for this year, but for the short and long term future of this team.

Was working during the Chicago game, did Ennis look more like his 2014-15 self or did he look like he has all year so far?

Eichel is a dynamic talent but I think he needs to develop a higher compete/battle level. I don't want to call him a floater, bc that would be a bit harsh. Though, with his skills and size, if he dialed the intensity up a notch, he would be damn near unstoppable. Also, Ristolainen is a stud. Wasn't that high stick for the 5v3 on Saturday his first penalty of the year?? With the 25 minutes a night he is playing, that is very impressive.

Im still going out the window and whetting my whistle.

Enzo will get going, and he will wind up playing the wing but acting as a de facto c on the second line, dishing to Eichel and Evander. Eichel will play C, but Ennis will get the dishes.


IMO

Ennis looked the same against the Hawks as all year, he seems hesitant to initiate contact and also is not skating as hard as last year. He looks like he still might be dealing with an injury perhaps or just not quite in shape again yet after missing the games. He will turn it around, just not yet???...

Nice reed going into this break

and

banishment to King Moonracer's press-box island

Ennis looked the same against the Hawks as all year, he seems hesitant to initiate contact and also is not skating as hard as last year. He looks like he still might be dealing with an injury perhaps or just not quite in shape again yet after missing the games. He will turn it around, just not yet???...
- RhinoFan

Find out next time on Dragonball Z.

Could it be that it was his first day back and wanted to walk before running? Here's hoping that's the case. He got a game in and then gets a week off which could help him. Next few games will be big to see where he is.

Moulson, Gionta and Foligno are expendable.
I know the name 'Foligno' stirs Homer emotions on here for some but he has hands of stone. If he's not hitting everything that moves I've got no use for him.
Moulson has hands but can't keep up with his line mates. Park his ass in front of the net on the power play. Other than that leave him on the bench.
Gionta is just getting WAAAAY to many minutes.

I love the McGinn pickup and knew he'd turn out exactly as he has. He just needs to stay healthy.

Was working during the Chicago game, did Ennis look more like his 2014-15 self or did he look like he has all year so far?
- Zschalberg

looked good

Nice reed going into this break

and

banishment to King Moonracer's press-box island
- cabin

thx, cab

Michael Pachla: Quick hits on Jack Eichel, Sam Reinhart and the rest of the forwards
- Michael Pachla

nice read


I see a few slackers on this lineup, time to trim the fat?

nice read


I see a few slackers on this lineup, time to trim the fat?
- homiedclown

nah, not this year, imo...am thinking that this team and these players will get a full-year evaluation before major changes are made...

then again, I've been wrong in the past

Eichel is a dynamic talent but I think he needs to develop a higher compete/battle level. I don't want to call him a floater, bc that would be a bit harsh. Though, with his skills and size, if he dialed the intensity up a notch, he would be damn near unstoppable. Also, Ristolainen is a stud. Wasn't that high stick for the 5v3 on Saturday his first penalty of the year?? With the 25 minutes a night he is playing, that is very impressive.
- EnzoD

Eichel is a dynamic talent but I think he needs to develop a higher compete/battle level. I don't want to call him a floater, bc that would be a bit harsh. Though, with his skills and size, if he dialed the intensity up a notch, he would be damn near unstoppable. Also, Ristolainen is a stud. Wasn't that high stick for the 5v3 on Saturday his first penalty of the year?? With the 25 minutes a night he is playing, that is very impressive.
- EnzoD

that's actually the same thing I've said to myself, of his game, at times it just seems like he let's his feet stop moving a bit too often.

looked good
- Michael Pachla

He didn't seem a step behind at times to you?

Moulson, Gionta and Foligno are expendable.
I know the name 'Foligno' stirs Homer emotions on here for some but he has hands of stone. If he's not hitting everything that moves I've got no use for him.
Moulson has hands but can't keep up with his line mates. Park his ass in front of the net on the power play. Other than that leave him on the bench.
Gionta is just getting WAAAAY to many minutes.

I love the McGinn pickup and knew he'd turn out exactly as he has. He just needs to stay healthy.
- Pairo11

Gionta is sad in that he can no longer skate by anyone and he gets roasted on the boards. At this point he is a slightly faster version of Moulson.

He didn't seem a step behind at times to you?
- RhinoFan

Even if he did he is coming off of an injury.

Even if he did he is coming off of an injury.
- Slump Buster

I hear ya, it's a good excuse to have. Just pointing out he doesn't resemble our team's leading scorer of old.

- homiedclown

I take it your return means you've seen the new Star Wars movie?

Can't believe they had Luke Skywalker have dysentery.

I take it your return means you've seen the new Star Wars movie?

Can't believe they had Luke Skywalker have dysentery.
- buffalofan19

Yeah I saw it

special effects great
plot very very good

new actors/characters average at best

I wonder how hard the contract negotiations were for Mark Hamill

Happy Holidays all!!! In case I am not around to tell you later. Hope you all have a great time with your families.

Holy!

Not that I'm entitled to know - or that I plan to duplicate it - but I would be very curious what the cost of that post is.

right now the Bills would get the 16th pick


it's dec 21st and I am hoping for them to lose both games, fins to win both and the bills to end up with a top 10 pick and 4th place schedule for 2016


the joy of being a bills fan

I'll let you know when they get to me kaiser.