I would have that playing next to Sid too....
- Codes1087

Oh come on, this guy deserves his due, he has 1 more cup than you

If miller goes down w an injury, that's the only way I see this team tanking
- dbot

Agreed. We will finish somewhere around 20th overall.

Oh come on, this guy deserves his due, he has 1 more cup than you
- Crazybagoham

I am not taking anything away from a player who went undrafted. Its amazing to see ANY NHL regulars play without being drafted, let alone produce. Its unreal, BUT, you have to consider his centre. He's playing alongside the best overall player in the game.

EDIT - 10 points in 44 games last year NOT playing alongside Sidney Crosby. I think his line mates MIGHT have something to do with his success

I agree with you about Gaunce. I think he wins a lot of puck battles and creates chances. He is a fourth line player but the numbers will eventually come. This is his first full year.

Patience
- VANTEL

It's been nice to watch some kids develop, Hutton, Tryamkin, Stecher, Granlund, Gaunce, Horvat, Baertschi have all made strides. Hasn't really happened since we were getting Kesler, Burrows, Edler, Bieksa in the mid 2000's

It's been nice to watch some kids develop, Hutton, Tryamkin, Stecher, Granlund, Gaunce, Horvat, Baertschi have all made strides. Hasn't really happened since we were getting Kesler, Burrows, Edler, Bieksa in the mid 2000's
- belcherbd

G A U N C E

I am not taking anything away from a player who went undrafted. Its amazing to see ANY NHL regulars play without being drafted, let alone produce. Its unreal, BUT, you have to consider his centre. He's playing alongside the best overall player in the game.
- Codes1087

Oh totally, he's this era's Burrows. It's really funny that they can just plug anyone in, yet Kessel/Malkin/Neal/Staal never worked! He must love him some grinders, like Marchand

G A U N C E
- CanuckDon

It's been nice to watch some kids develop, Hutton, Tryamkin, Stecher, Granlund, Gaunce, Horvat, Baertschi have all made strides. Hasn't really happened since we were getting Kesler, Burrows, Edler, Bieksa in the mid 2000's
- belcherbd

Yeah, they in most, have done well growing. I don't think Sven is a second line forward but he is holding his own. He did have a bad game last night. All in all they are doing okay.

Maybe Subban fans get their wish
- VANTEL

I just want to see him in action ( I can safely say I've never actually watched a Utica game in the last year and a half) he hasnt played any of those first couple preseason games, so I'm just interested to see if he's as flimsy as he was in Junior

If miller goes down w an injury, that's the only way I see this team tanking
- dbot

feels like markstrom's been barely playing lately, I have a feeling a Miller extension is coming... I actually really want to see Demko back him up next year (to learn from another american goalie)

I just want to see him in action ( I can safely say I've never actually watched a Utica game in the last year and a half) he hasnt played any of those first couple preseason games, so I'm just interested to see if he's as flimsy as he was in Junior
- Crazybagoham

his retrieval of the puck behind the goalie in the defensive zone is just scary... I am no hockey expert but its so incredibly noticeable. It doesn't help that he is 5 foot 9 (on a good day). If he carries the puck through the neutral zone and offensive zone blue line (like he did in junior, and what he sometimes does in Utica) he will get exposed pretty quick. His bread and butter is at the point on the PP. He is fun to watch in the offensive zone.

feels like markstrom's been barely playing lately, I have a feeling a Miller extension is coming... I actually really want to see Demko back him up next year (to learn from another american goalie)
- Crazybagoham

It is really too soon for Demko. Don't put him in the deep end yet.
He needs at least one more year maybe two.

7-4-2 in Feb
- VANTEL

lol reverse the 4 and 7 then you are on to something...

feels like markstrom's been barely playing lately, I have a feeling a Miller extension is coming... I actually really want to see Demko back him up next year (to learn from another american goalie)
- Crazybagoham

Hate to say it, but Miller has been great, and a 1 year extension would not be the worst thing in the world. Demko needs to be a starter in Utica before he EVER gets considered a backup on the nucks. Who would we have as a backup behind Markstrom? I think if we can sign Miller for a year under 5 mill, it's a good thing.

his retrieval of the puck behind the goalie in the defensive zone is just scary... I am no hockey expert but its so incredibly noticeable. It doesn't help that he is 5 foot 9 (on a good day). If he carries the puck through the neutral zone and offensive zone blue line (like he did in junior, and what he sometimes does in Utica) he will get exposed pretty quick. His bread and butter is at the point on the PP. He is fun to watch in the offensive zone.
- Codes1087

sooooo good to hear, it was always a known that he was going to take his time, hope he continues to get better BUT I WANT TO SEE HIM PLAY

anyone else notice Tanev was on the 3rd pairing? (2nd pairing was Biega/Tram) Protecting him for a trade???

It is really too soon for Demko. Don't put him in the deep end yet.
He needs at least one more year maybe two.
- VANTEL

I just want to see him in action ( I can safely say I've never actually watched a Utica game in the last year and a half) he hasnt played any of those first couple preseason games, so I'm just interested to see if he's as flimsy as he was in Junior
- Crazybagoham

If they play Subban they should put him on the 2nd PP unit. At least give him a chance at doing something interesting.

Hate to say it, but Miller has been great, and a 1 year extension would not be the worst thing in the world. Demko needs to be a starter in Utica before he EVER gets considered a backup on the nucks. Who would we have as a backup behind Markstrom? I think if we can sign Miller for a year under 5 mill, it's a good thing.
- Codes1087

3.7 mil for a back up goalie Markstrom is very expensive

sooooo good to hear, it was always a known that he was going to take his time, hope he continues to get better BUT I WANT TO SEE HIM PLAY

anyone else notice Tanev was on the 3rd pairing? (2nd pairing was Biega/Tram) Protecting him for a trade???
- Crazybagoham

I meant that in a negative way. What Benning and Green have said about his play in the defensive zone is so apparent that even non-hockey people can see it. He is very very weak in his own end.

It is really too soon for Demko. Don't put him in the deep end yet.
He needs at least one more year maybe two.
- VANTEL

So Bachman still the starter down there I take it? We have markstrom signed for like 3 years more, so I guess it's not a huge deal if Demko takes a couple more seasons, will just have a little overpaid backup if Markstrom continues to underwhelm

3 mil for a back up goalie Markstrom is very expensive
- VANTEL

At the same time, I don't agree with how they have deployed Markstrom this year. I thought it was supposed to be more 1A/1B.

I meant that in a negative way. What Benning and Green have said about his play in the defensive zone is so apparent that even non-hockey people can see it. He is very very weak in his own end.
- Codes1087

RIP another Larsson

VS SJS OTL
VS MIN OTL
@NSH OTL
@CBJ L
@BOS W
@BUFF L
@ PITTS W
@STL W
VS CAL W
VS PHI OTL
VS SJS OTL
VS DET OTL
- VanHockeyGuy

3 mil for a back up goalie Markstrom is very expensive
- VANTEL

Not if you only have to pay Miller 3-4mil

RIP another Larsson
- Crazybagoham

Meh, if he turns into a Krug/Stecher/Spurgeon/Barrie, I would be ok with that.