Michael Pachla: Even with Jack Eichel back in the lineup, Housley needs to revamp lines

1st is the w1rst

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That said, reports from the rink have Eichel back at practice today with stick in hand and working in on the first powerplay unit while getting some work on a defensive pair. Nothing should be read into this save that a return to the ice is imminent whether it be tomorrow vs. the New Jersey Devils or Friday at Carolina against the Hurricanes.

That part doesn't sound good for a return tomorrow.

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- homiedclown

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That part doesn't sound good for a return tomorrow.
- jcragcrumple

yeah, I get that, but does it really matter where he is in practice?

yeah, I get that, but does it really matter where he is in practice?
- Michael Pachla

Practice doesn't seem to work for this team, they should try a conga line.

yeah, I get that, but does it really matter where he is in practice?
- Michael Pachla

In terms of the broader point of your article,? No.

But Housley wouldn't even play Mitts in Sobotka's place with Eichel out. I don't hold out hope for Smith playing with Eichel. It would go against the old man NHL rule that clearly states you can't put call-ups in positions to succeed

Practice doesn't seem to work for this team, they should try a conga line.
- SABRES 89

cha-cha-cha-cha cha cha!

cha-cha-cha-cha cha cha!

In terms of the broader point of your article,? No.

But Housley wouldn't even play Mitts in Sobotka's place with Eichel out. I don't hold out hope for Smith playing with Eichel. It would go against the old man NHL rule that clearly states you can't put call-ups in positions to succeed
- jcragcrumple

good point

In terms of the broader point of your article,? No.

But Housley wouldn't even play Mitts in Sobotka's place with Eichel out. I don't hold out hope for Smith playing with Eichel. It would go against the old man NHL rule that clearly states you can't put call-ups in positions to succeed
- jcragcrumple

When will the influx of young new age thinking coaches begin to take over the NHL like it has in the NFL?

In terms of the broader point of your article,? No.

But Housley wouldn't even play Mitts in Sobotka's place with Eichel out. I don't hold out hope for Smith playing with Eichel. It would go against the old man NHL rule that clearly states you can't put call-ups in positions to succeed
- jcragcrumple

I think there's a tendency here to think of our prospects as top 6 guys deserving of a top 6 opportunity. Most of the time, they are really bottom 6 guys who we're just optimistic about because they are new and we want change.

When will the influx of young new age thinking coaches begin to take over the NHL like it has in the NFL?
- CoHo_to_B-Lo

There's 7 kids on this roster younger than CJ Smith. I think the league has already turned that corner. The league would be even younger if it weren't for guaranteed contracts.

When will the influx of young new age thinking coaches begin to take over the NHL like it has in the NFL?
- CoHo_to_B-Lo

I guess when the NHL stops recycling so many coaches. Quinn is new, Housley too, really. At least in Housley's case, he hasn't broken with NHL standard practices

I think there's a tendency here to think of our prospects as top 6 guys deserving of a top 6 opportunity. Most of the time, they are really bottom 6 guys who we're just optimistic about because they are new and we want change.
- Lunaion

That's a good point, but when Housley talks about Smith playing and says "we're looking for a spark," I would expect his useage to mirror what he says. And if two of the lines that people expect to score aren't scoring, shouldn't the spark be targeted there?

There's 7 kids on this roster younger than CJ Smith. I think the league has already turned that corner. The league would be even younger if it weren't for guaranteed contracts.
- Lunaion

Coaches... not players.

I guess when the NHL stops recycling so many coaches. Quinn is new, Housley too, really. At least in Housley's case, he hasn't broken with NHL standard practices
- jcragcrumple

Yeah I forgot about Quinn.

And he has gone against the grain already with benching vets for younger kids or moving them down the lineup. Hopefully this becomes a trend, it is something this sport desperately needs.

That's a good point, but when Housley talks about Smith playing and says "we're looking for a spark," I would expect his useage to mirror what he says. And if two of the lines that people expect to score aren't scoring, shouldn't the spark be targeted there?
- jcragcrumple

I don't take his interviews seriously and I don't think he does either. The MO of this regime is to say as little as possible.

Smith is getting quality minutes and a great opportunity. The rest is on him.

lol

I don't take his interviews seriously and I don't think he does either. The MO of this regime is to say as little as possible.

Smith is getting quality minutes and a great opportunity. The rest is on him.
- Lunaion

Agree to disagree. He's playing with Okposo and Larsson. Assuming he plays 25 games and gets 6 points, people will say he sucks, but all we will have really learned is that Okposo and Larsson aren't a good fit for someone who should be put in a position to put up some points. All of which imo, is actually harmful to development

I think both of the championship games next weekend will be played in LA

Agree to disagree. He's playing with Okposo and Larsson. Assuming he plays 25 games and gets 6 points, people will say he sucks, but all we will have really learned is that Okposo and Larsson aren't a good fit for someone who should be put in a position to put up some points. All of which imo, is actually harmful to development
- jcragcrumple

Depends how you view him I guess. Like I said, I view him as a bottom six prospect, and 13 minutes a night is a quality opportunity for him. Better than a lot of guys in similar situations have gotten.

Depends how you view him I guess. Like I said, I view him as a bottom six prospect, and 13 minutes a night is a quality opportunity for him. Better than a lot of guys in similar situations have gotten.
- Lunaion

Realistically he’d be playing with slightly better talent then Larsson and Okposo but I agree he’s nothing more then a 3rd liner. That’s not a slight against him either, I think he can provide a little offense in the bottom 6 and be a useful player for us. But he’s defitnely movable in the right trade.

Depends how you view him I guess. Like I said, I view him as a bottom six prospect, and 13 minutes a night is a quality opportunity for him. Better than a lot of guys in similar situations have gotten.
- Lunaion

I view him as a 3rd/4th liner as well. But we have like 6 4th liners. I'd rather he be put into a legitimate chance to succeed and see if he can score. We're not learning anything about Elie or Mittelstadt by playing them together

I don't take his interviews seriously and I don't think he does either. The MO of this regime is to say as little as possible.

Smith is getting quality minutes and a great opportunity. The rest is on him.
- Lunaion

wot