I still rather show confidence in Pulock and play him with de Haan to start and you can make adjustments if needed. I like the idea of trusting the young kids after Cappy never gave them a shot.
- ses111

Weight came right out and said last week that this was going to be a meritocracy and the guys who play best are going to keep playing. If he's getting lapped by the likes of Mayfield/Pelech then they should play over him (and I don't like either of Mayfield or Pelech all that much).

I'm not trying to bag on Pulock either, I'm still high on him as a young defenseman. Things take time. But everyone for years screamed and cried that Capuano rode his favorites over guys who were clearly better, now Weight is playing the guys that are proving they deserve it and some people are angry that Pulock isn't being handed a roster spot simply because of his draft position and prior standing within the organization.

Weight came right out and said last week that this was going to be a meritocracy and the guys who play best are going to keep playing. If he's getting lapped by the likes of Mayfield/Pelech then they should play over him (and I don't like either of Mayfield or Pelech all that much).

I'm not trying to bag on Pulock either, I'm still high on him as a young defenseman. Things take time. But everyone for years screamed and cried that Capuano rode his favorites over guys who were clearly better, now Weight is playing the guys that are proving they deserve it and some people are angry that Pulock isn't being handed a roster spot simply because of his draft position and prior standing within the organization.
- eichiefs9

I just think Pulock has the best upside and never getting a shot last year, it makes sense to show a little confidence by putting Pulock on the 2nd pairing with de Haan. Seidenberg is not the future and should be a 3rd pair dman at this point. Hickey should be an extra. i'm playing Mayfield or Pelech before I play Hickey.

Weight came right out and said last week that this was going to be a meritocracy and the guys who play best are going to keep playing. If he's getting lapped by the likes of Mayfield/Pelech then they should play over him (and I don't like either of Mayfield or Pelech all that much).

I'm not trying to bag on Pulock either, I'm still high on him as a young defenseman. Things take time. But everyone for years screamed and cried that Capuano rode his favorites over guys who were clearly better, now Weight is playing the guys that are proving they deserve it and some people are angry that Pulock isn't being handed a roster spot simply because of his draft position and prior standing within the organization.
- eichiefs9

Im iffy on pulock I mean his offense isn't worth it if he's giving up a ton of goals off his mistakes. He's has 2 full years in ahl and should be a bit better in own end, maybe his hockey sense is subpar

Im iffy on pulock I mean his offense isn't worth it if he's giving up a ton of goals off his mistakes. He's has 2 full years in ahl and should be a bit better in own end, maybe his hockey sense is subpar
- Upstate_isles

I think Pulock needs NHL games and maybe his confidence took a little hit not getting a shot last year? This team has done a lousy job with young talent which is why I want them getting a fresh start and starting the year playing.

I think Pulock needs NHL games and maybe his confidence took a little hit not getting a shot last year? This team has done a lousy job with young talent which is why I want them getting a fresh start and starting the year playing.
- ses111

Regarding this season, I disagree given Barzal, Beauvillier, and Ho-Sang(all younger than Pulock btw) are in the starting lineup.

Regarding this season, I disagree given Barzal, Beauvillier, and Ho-Sang(all younger than Pulock btw) are in the starting lineup.
- bgainesDM

No question things look much better under Weight. I still want Pulock starting on that 2nd pair with de Haan. If Pulock is struggling that bad after a few games you sit him for a game and then go right back to playing him.

I just think Pulock has the best upside and never getting a shot last year, it makes sense to show a little confidence by putting Pulock on the 2nd pairing with de Haan. Seidenberg is not the future and should be a 3rd pair dman at this point. Hickey should be an extra. i'm playing Mayfield or Pelech before I play Hickey.
- ses111

He'll get in the lineup plenty, I'm sure of that. Hell...he may even be in the lineup on opening night. Nobody is saying the kid should be benched all year, just that it's not the end of the world if he's gotta wait a bit longer because there are guys playing better than him.

No doubt he's got high-upside, but trotting him out there to get his ass handed to him every night isn't going to help his confidence either.

He'll get in the lineup plenty, I'm sure of that. Hell...he may even be in the lineup on opening night. Nobody is saying the kid should be benched all year, just that it's not the end of the world if he's gotta wait a bit longer because there are guys playing better than him.

No doubt he's got high-upside, but trotting him out there to get his ass handed to him every night isn't going to help his confidence either.
- eichiefs9

I do think Pulock will get plenty of chances. I just do not like putting everything good or bad into pre-season. I think you have to look at the entire body of work of a player and their upside. Guys like Pelech and Mayfield have more NHL experience than Pulock and may find it easier to get off to a better start in pre-season than Pulock.

I do think Pulock will get plenty of chances. I just do not like putting everything good or bad into pre-season. I think you have to look at the entire body of work of a player and their upside. Guys like Pelech and Mayfield have more NHL experience than Pulock and may find it easier to get off to a better start in pre-season than Pulock.
- ses111

Fact is that we need to have a good season. The arena issue may be on the forefront of what Tavares needs to stay, but I'd bet the house that if we stink it up all year it's not exactly going to help him make the decision that we all want him to.

Whoever gives this team the best chance to win should be in the lineup, regardless of draft position, potential, etc... If it's Mayfield then he should play, if it's Pulock then it should be him. If someone's game falters then they should be replaced with whoever is waiting in the wings.

You (frank)ing homo
- Upstate_isles

Fuck off, fag.

Fact is that we need to have a good season. The arena issue may be on the forefront of what Tavares needs to stay, but I'd bet the house that if we stink it up all year it's not exactly going to help him make the decision that we all want him to.

Whoever gives this team the best chance to win should be in the lineup, regardless of draft position, potential, etc... If it's Mayfield then he should play, if it's Pulock then it should be him. If someone's game falters then they should be replaced with whoever is waiting in the wings.
- eichiefs9

One thing I was surprised with, I thought you guys said Mayfield wasn't a good skater, but in the preseason he looked fast as poop for a big guy. He work on that over the summer?

One thing I was surprised with, I thought you guys said Mayfield wasn't a good skater, but in the preseason he looked fast as poop for a big guy. He work on that over the summer?
- mdw7413

Not sure I'd call him fast as poop, but it's obvious he worked on his skating (or slimmed down, or some combo of both) the last few offseasons. I still maintain my position that he isn't a long-term everyday player, but if he can fill the hole adequately then I'm fine with it.

One thing I was surprised with, I thought you guys said Mayfield wasn't a good skater, but in the preseason he looked fast as poop for a big guy. He work on that over the summer?
- mdw7413

Mayfield showed signs last season of having improved his skating. I don't know how he spent his summer. Ask chiefs if he saw him on Fire Island.

luke fox‏Verified account
@lukefoxjukebox

Canucks acquire Penguins defenceman Derrick Pouliot for Andrey Pedan and a 2018 fourth-round pick.

Looks like our old friend Andrey will be back (using that term loosely) in the Metro.

One thing I was surprised with, I thought you guys said Mayfield wasn't a good skater, but in the preseason he looked fast as poop for a big guy. He work on that over the summer?
- mdw7413

Mayfield's skating seemed better last year. He still had his rough spots last year, but I thought he looked good for the most part.

Mayfield showed signs last season of having improved his skating. I don't know how he spent his summer. Ask chiefs if he saw him on Fire Island.
- JohnScammo

luke fox‏Verified account
@lukefoxjukebox

Canucks acquire Penguins defenceman Derrick Pouliot for Andrey Pedan and a 2018 fourth-round pick.

Looks like our old friend Andrey will be back (using that term loosely) in the Metro.
- eichiefs9

I think I read a couple of seasons ago that Pedan only stood out when he dropped the gloves.

Fact is that we need to have a good season. The arena issue may be on the forefront of what Tavares needs to stay, but I'd bet the house that if we stink it up all year it's not exactly going to help him make the decision that we all want him to.

Whoever gives this team the best chance to win should be in the lineup, regardless of draft position, potential, etc... If it's Mayfield then he should play, if it's Pulock then it should be him. If someone's game falters then they should be replaced with whoever is waiting in the wings.
- eichiefs9

Exactly. On both counts. If the team sucks and they get the arena deal, why would he care. A new shiny arena with a crappy team playing in it. If that's the way it plays out, I wouldn't blame him for bailing.

Fact is that we need to have a good season. The arena issue may be on the forefront of what Tavares needs to stay, but I'd bet the house that if we stink it up all year it's not exactly going to help him make the decision that we all want him to.

Whoever gives this team the best chance to win should be in the lineup, regardless of draft position, potential, etc... If it's Mayfield then he should play, if it's Pulock then it should be him. If someone's game falters then they should be replaced with whoever is waiting in the wings.
- eichiefs9

No question Ho Sang, Beau, Barzal or Pulock do not get to stay in the lineup no matter what. They need to earn it. I just would not have a quick hook for any of them. Nothing wrong if they need to sit a game now and then if really needed.

Not sure I'd call him fast as poop, but it's obvious he worked on his skating (or slimmed down, or some combo of both) the last few offseasons. I still maintain my position that he isn't a long-term everyday player, but if he can fill the hole adequately then I'm fine with it.
- eichiefs9

Yeah, I have no idea about the other facets of his game, I was just referring to his skating. Seems like if he could be a 6th d-man it would be a win.

The fast as poop is probably more relative to his size. Like an optical illusion. But he looked quick

Yeah, I have no idea about the other facets of his game, I was just referring to his skating. Seems like if he could be a 6th d-man it would be a win.
- mdw7413

I can see Mayfield being a 6th. Hopefully Richardson can work with these young dmen.

I think I read a couple of seasons ago that Pedan only stood out when he dropped the gloves.
- JohnScammo

Not really a skill set required for the NHL anymore. Kind of need to be able to play some to stick.

No question Ho Sang, Beau, Barzal or Pulock do not get to stay in the lineup no matter what. They need to earn it. I just would not have a quick hook for any of them. Nothing wrong if they need to sit a game now and then if really needed.
- ses111

As long as it's not the Cappy sit in the presser for 7 games to learn how to play the game.

Not really a skill set required for the NHL anymore. Kind of need to be able to play some to stick.
- Isleshockeyman

Agreed. That's why the Isles unloaded him for another AHLer....

I can see Mayfield being a 6th. Hopefully Richardson can work with these young dmen.
- ses111

Yeah, if he could keep the penalties under control and maybe learn a little better positioning, he has some good tools. Size, grit and pretty quick feet