Do you actually have credentials to know this type of thing?

We're fans. There are things that happen that we like and things that don't. We're not in practice, we're not in the locker room. Do coaches make mistakes? Sure. But they're human just like we are. The team has gotten 5 out of 6 points to start the season. Honestly, they've exceeded my expectations thus far. So in terms of "obvious blunders" you're reaching there.

Doesn't mean they're perfect or it'll stay that way the whole season. Just enjoy the ride while it's happening my friend.
- HonkFortheGoose

sobotka on the 2nd line is a blunder. you don't need credentials or any research at all to see this.

sobotka is playing with an elite goal scorer and a historically average point producer and has done (frank) all offensively



the team is the least dangerous BY FAR when hes on the ice, even though he has good linemates

if you think this is defensible you are purposely being difficult

sobotka is playing with an elite goal scorer and a historically average point producer and has done (frank) all offensively



the team is the least dangerous BY FAR when hes on the ice, even though he has good linemates

if you think this is defensible you are purposely being difficult
- robz228

Not that I'm defending this, but does that chart also say the team is most dangerous with Okposo on the ice?

Not that I'm defending this, but does that chart also say the team is most dangerous with Okposo on the ice?
- buffalofan19

Yes, which honestly matches the eye test. The 4th line has been electric.

What this chart doesn't show is finishing, so its not a complete data set.

Not that I'm defending this, but does that chart also say the team is most dangerous with Okposo on the ice?
- buffalofan19

I think that might be the "fun" quadrant. He's just playing "good" hockey

I think that might be the "fun" quadrant. He's just playing "good" hockey
- jcragcrumple

I honestly wouldn't be surprised if he's moved up to the second wing, sporadically.

Not a permanent move, but maybe a few extra shifts.

I think that might be the "fun" quadrant. He's just playing "good" hockey
- jcragcrumple

"dull" would be few shots for AND few shots against
"bad" would be few shots for with lots of shots against
"fun" would be lots of shots for AND lots of shots against
"good" would be lots of shots for with few shots against

so sobotka is "dull" because he's contributing defensively, but also doesn't contribute offensively

edit: its more than just shots, its also like high danger scoring chances for and against and other stuff, i dont really know the exact formula

which is why firing sobotka into the sun doesn't have to be the answer. he can be a responsible player deployed and used defensively, but having him on your 2nd line is inexcusable

"dull" would be few shots for AND few shots against
"bad" would be few shots for with lots of shots against
"fun" would be lots of shots for AND lots of shots against
"good" would be lots of shots for with few shots against

so sobotka is "dull" because he's contributing defensively, but also doesn't contribute offensively

edit: its more than just shots, its also like high danger scoring chances for and against and other stuff, i dont really know the exact formula
- robz228

Makes sense.

Like pickle said, why not try Okposo on L2 and send Sobotka to his rightful home with the twins?

San Jose made a truly poor choice with Karlsson.

-6 with 1A so far
- jcragcrumple

I have a close friend who is a Sharks' fan and he is so beyond pissed about it. He said that LaBlanc has been a black hole as well. Them letting Pavelski go in order to keep EK swede set the franchise back decades.

Makes sense.

Like pickle said, why not try Okposo on L2 and send Sobotka to his rightful home with the twins?
- jcragcrumple

Personally i think Okposo is shining in his role. He's too slow to keep up with a scoring line.

I'd have him replace girgensons if he had to stay in the lineup.

I have a close friend who is a Sharks' fan and he is so beyond pissed about it. He said that LaBlanc has been a black hole as well. Them letting Pavelski go in order to keep EK swede set the franchise back decades.
- JVince11

I don't know how much longer Pavelski will be around.

He's not lighting the world on fire in Dallas. It's still early, and my friends who like the Stars are stunned that the team isn't performing very well.

I made a comment to them that Perry could get them 20, and they don't see it happening in a 3rd line role. I don't know how much longer he's out, but Perry is a lethal shooter. I think Benn is a black hole for them right now. He just got his first point last night. That could be the biggest hindrance for them.

Personally i think Okposo is shining in his role. He's too slow to keep up with a scoring line.

I'd have him replace girgensons if he had to stay in the lineup.
- robz228

If you have Okposo as the trailer behind Mojo and Skinner, I think it could work well. Okposo has the same defensive wherewithal as Sobokta, so why not try it?

Makes sense.

Like pickle said, why not try Okposo on L2 and send Sobotka to his rightful home with the twins?
- jcragcrumple

It doesn't have to be permanent. It could be in offensive zone starts to try and get a boost.

I don't know how much longer Pavelski will be around.

He's not lighting the world on fire in Dallas. It's still early, and my friends who like the Stars are stunned that the team isn't performing very well.

I made a comment to them that Perry could get them 20, and they don't see it happening in a 3rd line role. I don't know how much longer he's out, but Perry is a lethal shooter. I think Benn is a black hole for them right now. He just got his first point last night. That could be the biggest hindrance for them.
- thatsapickle

If I remember right it was more him saying that where they were at with youth on the team and contracts of veterans ending... they were in a good place. Kane, Burns, LeBlanc, Hertl, etc... they were in a place where they could play out the last years of the vets and then do a bit of rebuild and be fine. Now they have a terrible cap problem going forward, no draft picks, and not a lot of options but to keep on their path.

If you have Okposo as the trailer behind Mojo and Skinner, I think it could work well. Okposo has the same defensive wherewithal as Sobokta, so why not try it?
- thatsapickle

Why try to change anything right now?

What they have going is working. We are scoring goals and have won games. It's not like the lines will never shake up but let's not play the whole "random guy on the internet knows better than the coaches in the building" card 3/4 games into the year?

I have a close friend who is a Sharks' fan and he is so beyond pissed about it. He said that LaBlanc has been a black hole as well. Them letting Pavelski go in order to keep EK swede set the franchise back decades.
- JVince11

The thing i don't get is that they already had Burns who does the same thing. In the playoffs when they put that pair together? Woof. Some of the poorest defensive play you'll see.

2 "Norris Winners"

Why try to change anything right now?

What they have going is working. We are scoring goals and have won games. It's not like the lines will never shake up but let's not play the whole "random guy on the internet knows better than the coaches in the building" card 3/4 games into the year?
- JVince11

I remember going game by game last year and tallying up the results and Housley never changed lineups after a win barring injury.

Results oriented coaching is absolutely not what you want.

Why try to change anything right now?

What they have going is working. We are scoring goals and have won games. It's not like the lines will never shake up but let's not play the whole "random guy on the internet knows better than the coaches in the building" card 3/4 games into the year?
- JVince11

I agree. I don't need any drastic changes, but in the small adjustments in the game if there is a player that is able to get a spark for a shift or two, it's not bad to try.

The thing i don't get is that they already had Burns who does the same thing. In the playoffs when they put that pair together? Woof. Some of the poorest defensive play you'll see.

2 "Norris Winners"
- jcragcrumple

It's truly hilarious that the best defenseman is really just a forward in terms of point production.

The promising thing is in CBJ when the team needed a goal sobotka's ice time disappeared, so Krueger clearly knows it.

The problem is needing to realize scoring goals early in games is just as valuable as scoring goals late in games.

I remember going game by game last year and tallying up the results and Housley never changed lineups after a win barring injury.

Results oriented coaching is absolutely not what you want.
- robz228

I wonder if 71 gets a chance tonight if 43 doesn't go down.

It's convenient because there is an injury, but because the team is seemingly playing "well" and had a tough game for a multitude of reasons would the switch have been made?

It's truly hilarious that the best defenseman is really just a forward in terms of point production.
- thatsapickle

There should be a Norris winner, and then make an "Erik Kalsson Trophy" for the defenseman with the most points, like the Art Ross. It's absurd that Burns has a Norris

There should be a Norris winner, and then make an "Erik Kalsson Trophy" for the defenseman with the most points, like the Art Ross. It's absurd that Burns has a Norris
- jcragcrumple

I was about to make a similar comment about how the Norris trophy is essentially now for the best offensive defenseman.

I was about to make a similar comment about how the Norris trophy is essentially now for the best offensive defenseman.
- buffalofan19

Granted, if Dahlin gets a Norris, I will not scoff at it.