Ryan Wilson: Vegas pyrite Vegas pyrite

Schultz and Sid's best friend should not be paired together ever again

I agree on his assessment for Sprong, unfortunately. Sprong had his strongest game thus far and showed more confidence, but he needs to unleash his true skills.

I've been pretty clear about not liking the Johnson signing, but despite his TERRIBLE metrics, I will say this about him and his game last night; once in the zone he was very effective at pinning guys and getting the off the puck. He was positionally sound.

Now, in the transition from offense to defensive zone? No bueno.

That's the thing with Johnson...he can transition from d to o extremely well.... The other way? Not so much.

That's the thing with Johnson...he can transition from d to o extremely well.... The other way? Not so much.
- cranktheradio

I'd very much like to see these pairings...

Maatta/Letang
Dumo/Johnson
Riikola/Schultz

I think Dumo would do worlds for JJ's shortcomings.

I think Dumo would do worlds for JJ's shortcomings.
- Rinosaur

Problem is: He has to do already for Tanger's!

MM trained full with the team today and is traveling with them: https://mobile.twitter.co...s/1050801387360190464?p=p

Coach Sullivan on Riikola: "I thought Juuso had a good game. You can see his intellect, his ability to process the game, his passing game, his mobility to get back to pucks. I thought for his first NHL game, it was a strong effort for him."
https://mobile.twitter.co...s/1050568416078249989?p=p

Problem is: He has to do already for Tanger's!

MM trained full with the team today and is traveling with them: https://mobile.twitter.co...s/1050801387360190464?p=p

Coach Sullivan on Riikola: "I thought Juuso had a good game. You can see his intellect, his ability to process the game, his passing game, his mobility to get back to pucks. I thought for his first NHL game, it was a strong effort for him."
https://mobile.twitter.co...s/1050568416078249989?p=p
- VeryModernMan

I hate to say it, but Sullivan's words don't make it sound like Riikola is going to stick just yet.

To your other comment, Maatta has proven effective with Letang.

I hate to say it, but Sullivan's words don't make it sound like Riikola is going to stick just yet.

To your other comment, Maatta has proven effective with Letang.
- Rinosaur

Numbers show them to be just as good as Letang with Dumo if not better.

RW's comments on Sprong are exactly what I was saying in Pre season. He's so concentrated on playing D his offense is struggling.

Phil needs to show him the art of sorta playing D.

He may never be as good as Phil offensively but that's who he should be modelling his game after. Take notes kid.

Numbers show them to be just as good as Letang with Dumo if not better.
- Feds91Stammer

Yup. But hey, Maatta is a bottom-pairing dman, so what does it matter, right?

RW's comments on Sprong are exactly what I was saying in Pre season. He's so concentrated on playing D his offense is struggling.

Phil needs to show him the art of sorta playing D.

He may never be as good as Phil offensively but that's who he should be modelling his game after. Take notes kid.
- Thorny87

I thought he was taking more chances last night, so let's hope there's more to come.

RW's comments on Sprong are exactly what I was saying in Pre season. He's so concentrated on playing D his offense is struggling.

Phil needs to show him the art of sorta playing D.

He may never be as good as Phil offensively but that's who he should be modelling his game after. Take notes kid.
- Thorny87

Numbers show them to be just as good as Letang with Dumo if not better.
- Feds91Stammer

What sample sizes in '17-'18 are we talking about here?

Edit: NaturalStatTrick gives Dumoulin+Letang 1074:22min, and Määttä+Letang 151:51min

What sample sizes in '17-'18 are we talking about here?

Edit: NaturalStatTrick gives Dumoulin+Letang 1074:22min, and Määttä+Letang 151:51min
- VeryModernMan

Was looking at 15-16 forward.

Using Corsica stats.

Numbers show them to be just as good as Letang with Dumo if not better.
- Feds91Stammer

Been pumping the Maatta-Letang tires since Sully inexplicably would not separate the travisty that was the Maailey pairing. Maattang has always been a juggernaut together by any measure: metrics, plus/minus, eye test.

I agree with Rino. Dumo on paper is the best natural fit as Johnson’s partner.

Been pumping the Maatta-Letang tires since Sully inexplicably would not separate the travisty that was the Maailey pairing. Maattang has always been a juggernaut together by any measure: metrics, plus/minus, eye test.

I agree with Rino. Dumo on paper is the best natural fit as Johnson’s partner.
- Victoro311

Yup. Like Letang, Johnson is the type of player that need to be Johnson, so having partners that allow him to do so and support his mistakes is important.

Yup. Like Letang, Johnson is the type of player that need to be Johnson, so having partners that allow him to do so and support his mistakes is important.
- Rinosaur

Really sounds like you should trade Maatta for DeKeyser. DeKeyser would be a perfect match for JJ.

Ryan Reaves! That fourth line looks great every night. Watched all but one Vegas game so far and the fourth line is great. Reaves made a nice play on that. Wish he would have got the point.

I didn't see the whole game but this write up is a bit much:

https://www.pensburgh.com...d-in-regular-season-debut

Sounds like Riikola is tickling Kaitlyn Dividock's fancy...

RW's comments on Sprong are exactly what I was saying in Pre season. He's so concentrated on playing D his offense is struggling.

Phil needs to show him the art of sorta playing D.

He may never be as good as Phil offensively but that's who he should be modelling his game after. Take notes kid.
- Thorny87

I actually look at Sprong as a pure sniper that's a little more physical than Phil. So, I think he could be a pure goal scorer as he matures. But, yeah, playmaking wise....Phil's soooo much better.

I didn't see the whole game but this write up is a bit much:

https://www.pensburgh.com...d-in-regular-season-debut
- Thorny87

I'll agree that his skating and instincts are pretty top notch. He did have 4 hits too. I mean, he played sheltered minutes, but was good with what he had.

Sounds like Riikola is tickling Kaitlyn Dividock's fancy...
- MattStrat

not just her's... mine as well.

I'll agree that his skating and instincts are pretty top notch. He did have 4 hits too. I mean, he played sheltered minutes, but was good with what he had.
- cranktheradio

I'm not saying he was bad, just that this article is a bit much. I think he was solid but not spectacular like the article suggests.


I do think he can be better. He hadn't played a meaningful game in a while before coming in last night.

I hope he continues to improve to the point where an article like this doesn't sound like I watched the wrong game.

not just her's... mine as well.
- VeryModernMan

Riiki the Finnish Tickler