Overall play he's bottom 6 on Pitt, Washington, Tampa, even Chicago we keep saying 3rd line.
- rpeters01

That’s kind of nebulous. I personally think he is very good defensively, can forecheck, and his point total last year would have put him 4th on the Blues. I know it’s not really apples to apples being that they were in different teams.

I don’t really have an issue with your statement, since I don’t really think it matters who you label “top 6”. I don’t have any issue with Shaw getting top 6 minutes because he produces in that role. If you are expecting him to be your top point guy, yes that is a problem, just playing on a line with the top point guy, no problem to me.

Why wouldn't you doubt the players? Our #1 center was ranked 19th in the league last month...
- rpeters01

This!!!!!

BGKarras, this isn't aimed at you, I just have a general gripe about the "don't have the horses" argument that gets brought up time to time even when Q was still coach.

My take is that if the team doesn't have the right horses to do X, then stop doing X as the strategy and philosophy to compete. Change X to Y or Z or whatever.

Evolve the team based on player personnel, warts and all. Maximize the strengths and group players on F lines and D pairs who can cover for each others' deficiencies.
- AEL_Fox

Hey Fox no offense taken, Its beating a dead horse. To your point above even when Q was coaching was it his stubbornness to adjust the style of play because that said the current coaching staff is no better.

By the way congratulations on the new gig. I've always liked reading your posts.

I can see Mitchell being that guy plugged in to the "NEW" role. Boqvist would be nice and is closer to the NHL than Mitchell by virtue of being in the AHL versus NCAA.

However, is Boqvist an instant upgrade over Gustafsson this season? If not, just wait another year for Mitchell to finish up at Denver and/or Boqvist to develop more in Rockford.
- AEL_Fox

That is why I think Mitchell is closer. You are obviously closer than I am to this, but I think Boqvist/Gus is 1:1 right now. Would Beaudin have a shot (defensively) to pass Boqvist right now? You mentioned he didn’t really jump up in the play in an earlier post, so maybe the O wouldn’t be helped all that much.

On paper, they replaced most of the AHL guys on the roster last year with low to middling level NHL players.

Shaw and Lehner are the above average talent additions. The problem is that they likely improve to losing more close games than getting blown out.

Dach’s own commentary suggests he isn’t comfortable with AHL tier play yet. Nylander is still very raw and a net liability. Perlini is....Perlini. No other top six forward talent visible yet in Rockford, and the young D prospects need more time in the oven. Like at least another year.

Maatta and DeHaan add some talent but not outcome shifting talent. On balance the defensive scheme is not better than last year. Still hordes of aggregate SOG against and perhaps even more HQ SOG given up.

One would have hoped from a fan perspective that things would look a lot better already.

BTW - Earth calling Captain Serious.....

I have optimism but it’s over a much longer arc. As in three years minimum. Because by then the dead weight and guys that are busts (including JC) will be gone, more cap space freed up, and bad performance will garner more talented prospects.
- Return of the Roar

I didn’t have that take on his comments, then add in he hasn’t played a game in I don’t even know how long. I hope they give him the full five games to get back into game shape.

Good post. I have the same feeling especially what you wrote in the bolded part.

While Gustafsson does drive offense, his lack of defensive awareness and commitment makes the trade off really difficult to stomach.

If the team could find an offensively driven D-man who plays decent defense from the right side, then it does make for an overall stronger blueline. Something like:

Keith - Murphy
Maatta - Seabrook
de Haan - NEW
Koekkoek/Gilbert
- AEL_Fox

I agree Seabrook looks better this year having Maatta as his d pairing.

Gus doesn't really add any value for the limited offense he brings , his defensive blunders overshadow anything else he adds.

Keith hasn't looked even a bit remotely solid preseason and regular season maybe adding murphy will change things, but maybe this is the year where his age a d amount of games played finally catches up.

Kane hasn't looked all that special or dangerous this year.

Chicago isn't in a position with the team they have to afford losing that many games this early and expect a wild card spot.

My guess Gilbert would more than likely get the call up before boqvist only due to his stronger defensive style

I agree Seabrook looks better this year having Maatta as his d pairing.

Gus doesn't really add any value for the limited offense he brings , his defensive blunders overshadow anything else he adds.

Keith hasn't looked even a bit remotely solid preseason and regular season maybe adding murphy will change things, but maybe this is the year where his age a d amount of games played finally catches up.

Kane hasn't looked all that special or dangerous this year.

Chicago isn't in a position with the team they have to afford losing that many games this early and expect a wild card spot.

My guess Gilbert would more than likely get the call up before boqvist only due to his stronger defensive style
- Taylorst1

Can we start a new post please.

Hey Fox no offense taken, Its beating a dead horse. To your point above even when Q was coaching was it his stubbornness to adjust the style of play because that said the current coaching staff is no better.

By the way congratulations on the new gig. I've always liked reading your posts.
- BGKarras

Thanks! I appreciate the support and enjoy your contributions to the boards as well.

On Q, that's a big debate. I'm sure there are varied perspectives on it. Without discounting what he meant to the franchise and what he meant to the core (even the departed ones like Hjalmarsson and Hossa), I think it was a little bit of stubbornness and a little bit of not being on the same page with management.

Regardless, the team didn't evolve based on the circumstances. Some of that is on the coaches and some of that is on the players who still need to execute whatever is expected of them.

That is why I think Mitchell is closer. You are obviously closer than I am to this, but I think Boqvist/Gus is 1:1 right now. Would Beaudin have a shot (defensively) to pass Boqvist right now? You mentioned he didn’t really jump up in the play in an earlier post, so maybe the O wouldn’t be helped all that much.
- Chunk

I agree, right now Gustafsson would be a 1:1 swap with Boqvist so just stick with the one who has NHL experience so the youngster continues to grow and not get stunted.

As for Beaudin, I think his conservative play is more so a factor of taking his time to get acclimated to the pro game, especially the speed and physicality.

As he gets more comfortable and the learning curve dwindles, I can see Beaudin driving more offense rushing the puck up ice and make pinpoint passes as he's really adept at. Whether he's defense only or a two-way rearguard, he opts to make smart fundamental plays.

I agree Seabrook looks better this year having Maatta as his d pairing.

Gus doesn't really add any value for the limited offense he brings , his defensive blunders overshadow anything else he adds.

Keith hasn't looked even a bit remotely solid preseason and regular season maybe adding murphy will change things, but maybe this is the year where his age a d amount of games played finally catches up.

Kane hasn't looked all that special or dangerous this year.

Chicago isn't in a position with the team they have to afford losing that many games this early and expect a wild card spot.

My guess Gilbert would more than likely get the call up before boqvist only due to his stronger defensive style
- Taylorst1

Keith and Seabrook can stabilize if paired with the right partner. So far so good with Maatta opposite Seabrook. Is Murphy the complement to Keith? Yesterday was a good game for both but let's see how they play in the longer term.

Looking at Monday, what is happening to the once lowly Oilers? 5-0 to start and 3-0 on the road. Are they truly that good, or have the hockey gods given them a few assists to get them off to a perfect start? Haven't watched them yet. Outside of McDavid, what is going on?

Looking at Monday, what is happening to the once lowly Oilers? 5-0 to start and 3-0 on the road. Are they truly that good, or have the hockey gods given them a few assists to get them off to a perfect start? Haven't watched them yet. Outside of McDavid, what is going on?
- gabriel

Swapped Lucic for Neal (and put him on a scoring line). Dropped Hitch and added Tippett. They’ve scored 3,6,5,4,4 in the games they’ve played.

Swapped Lucic for Neal (and put him on a scoring line). Dropped Hitch and added Tippett. They’ve scored 3,6,5,4,4 in the games they’ve played.
- Chunk

So that would make the over/under on Oiler goals Monday night 4 1/2?

Looking at Monday, what is happening to the once lowly Oilers? 5-0 to start and 3-0 on the road. Are they truly that good, or have the hockey gods given them a few assists to get them off to a perfect start? Haven't watched them yet. Outside of McDavid, what is going on?
- gabriel

It's because they have Tomas Jurco.

It's because they have Tomas Jurco.
- I Am The Breadman

Entering stage right to provide some timely comic relief!

Looking at Monday, what is happening to the once lowly Oilers? 5-0 to start and 3-0 on the road. Are they truly that good, or have the hockey gods given them a few assists to get them off to a perfect start? Haven't watched them yet. Outside of McDavid, what is going on?
- gabriel

Leon Draisaitl. He is a top 5 player in the league too.

Swapped Lucic for Neal (and put him on a scoring line). Dropped Hitch and added Tippett. They’ve scored 3,6,5,4,4 in the games they’ve played.
- Chunk

Neal - 7 goals in the 5 games - 5 on the PP.

Swapped Lucic for Neal (and put him on a scoring line). Dropped Hitch and added Tippett. They’ve scored 3,6,5,4,4 in the games they’ve played.
- Chunk

After last year's debacle with Calgary, he's made a comeback? Good on him personally. (Yes, now I recall that 4 goal game). Hope Neal chills out for our game against him. We don't need any of his heroics. Always a streaky type goal scorer, and in his younger days, more than a tad dirty. Maybe we'll get lucky and catch him in the start of a deep freeze. Always have admired Tippett.

Neal - 7 goals in the 5 games - 5 on the PP.
- StLBravesFan

My favorite Neal moment.

https://youtu.be/Tdw4HAUlOBA

Leon Draisaitl. He is a top 5 player in the league too.
- EnzoD

Just wonderful. Does it never end?

Just wonderful. Does it never end?
- gabriel

Sure it does. In a 6-3 loss.😁

Neal - 7 goals in the 5 games - 5 on the PP.
- StLBravesFan

So in addition to learning our schemes, we will have to play like gentlemen so as to avoid the penalty box, eh? Already, I'm not liking the sounds of this. All I wanted was to win one freaking game before the finger pointing began in earnest. Thanks for his numbers, I guess. Ha!

Sure it does. In a 6-3 loss.😁
- Chunk

I was referring to the quality of opposing players on the EDM club, Chunk! I'll "give you" a 6-3 loss while you slink away grinning.

My favorite Neal moment.

https://youtu.be/Tdw4HAUlOBA
- I Am The Breadman

Busted!

Busted!
- gabriel

Hahahaha, yes!!

Also, glad you got a laugh about Edm.