I hope dumo just gets his game back but (assuming no fictional trades) I’d hope Poj can make it to 2nd pair duties by next year. Let dumo walk, then petts - tanger. Poj very sheltered by petry. Smith - any of the 3RD.
- 10inchTerror

This, if Dumo is cooked we're (frank)ed because our LD is weak as (frank) and we'll have all that money on the RD.

Rutta will be fine, he might be the best 5v5 option with Tanger.
- VeryModernMan

Do you even watch hockey? lol woof.

Obviously its Dumo's spot to lose... Rutta is listed LD/RD and already played LD: “There are pluses and minuses to every side, so I’m just trying to focus on the positives,” Rutta said

One positive, he said, is he can easily one-time the puck off a pass from another defenseman. But Rutta said he needs to adjust to receiving passes in the defensive zone on his backhand and angle his body the correct way to defend attacking forwards.

“The angles are obviously a little bit different when I’m gapping on forwards,” Rutta said. “You pick up passes on your backhand more than you would like. … I don’t think (the switch) is hard. It’s just unusual. Most of my time I’m used to turning basically one direction so it’s just another challenge.”
https://digitaledition.ch...e0-4602-9bce-a180feb37aa4

Obviously its Dumo's spot to lose... Rutta is listed LD/RD and already played LD: “There are pluses and minuses to every side, so I’m just trying to focus on the positives,” Rutta said

One positive, he said, is he can easily one-time the puck off a pass from another defenseman. But Rutta said he needs to adjust to receiving passes in the defensive zone on his backhand and angle his body the correct way to defend attacking forwards.

“The angles are obviously a little bit different when I’m gapping on forwards,” Rutta said. “You pick up passes on your backhand more than you would like. … I don’t think (the switch) is hard. It’s just unusual. Most of my time I’m used to turning basically one direction so it’s just another challenge.”
https://digitaledition.ch...e0-4602-9bce-a180feb37aa4
- VeryModernMan

Aka, not a good idea to be in an unusual position on the 1st pair. He'll get smoked by the better competition.

Edit: Holy old article batman.

Obviously its Dumo's spot to lose... Rutta is listed LD/RD and already played LD: “There are pluses and minuses to every side, so I’m just trying to focus on the positives,” Rutta said

One positive, he said, is he can easily one-time the puck off a pass from another defenseman. But Rutta said he needs to adjust to receiving passes in the defensive zone on his backhand and angle his body the correct way to defend attacking forwards.

“The angles are obviously a little bit different when I’m gapping on forwards,” Rutta said. “You pick up passes on your backhand more than you would like. … I don’t think (the switch) is hard. It’s just unusual. Most of my time I’m used to turning basically one direction so it’s just another challenge.”
https://digitaledition.ch...e0-4602-9bce-a180feb37aa4
- VeryModernMan

He played RD in Chicago. He played RD in Tampa. He’s not an LD.

On January 11, 2019, Rutta was traded by the Blackhawks, along with a 2019 seventh-round pick to the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for Slater Koekkoek and a 2019 fifth-round pick

The rest is history... 2 CUPS lol

On January 11, 2019, Rutta was traded by the Blackhawks, along with a 2019 seventh-round pick to the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for Slater Koekkoek and a 2019 fifth-round pick

The rest is history... 2 CUPS lol
- Barnaby36

We have people apparently re-writing history.

We have people apparently re-writing history.
- 668710

Trade Kapanen for Puljujarvi yesterday. Find the cap space to sign Milano.
- Victoro311

Hell yes

Guys, you don't win the Stanley cup in the offseason. This is for sure an imperfect roster, but I love a lot of the foundation.

If all Rutta does is eat some tough PK minutes during the regular season to make sure that Petry and Letang are in peak condition for the playoffs he is worth it.

Our forward depth is lacking but given the insane amount of talented players sitting on expiring contracts, there will be plenty of deadline moves available. With the exception of goaltending, I am very happy with where the roster is at going into the season.

Everyone complains about guys from WBS never getting a chance, but I think there is a huge opportunity for someone to step up and earn a spot in the starting lineup. If DOC, Pustinen, Hallinder, Zohorna, Nylander and Poulin can't blow away a guy like Archibald in training camp for a roster spot then they just arent ready and in some of their cases, they never will be.

I am very excited to get this season started!

What are Heinen and ERod waiting for, anyway? There has to of been offers at least from one team for each....

What are Heinen and ERod waiting for, anyway? There has to of been offers at least from one team for each....
- MattStrat

For ERod I think it's the Kadri signing. For Heinen I don't know. My guess is he doesn't want to have another prove-it year and wants some term.

Guys, you don't win the Stanley cup in the offseason. This is for sure an imperfect roster, but I love a lot of the foundation.

If all Rutta does is eat some tough PK minutes during the regular season to make sure that Petry and Letang are in peak condition for the playoffs he is worth it.

Our forward depth is lacking but given the insane amount of talented players sitting on expiring contracts, there will be plenty of deadline moves available. With the exception of goaltending, I am very happy with where the roster is at going into the season.

Everyone complains about guys from WBS never getting a chance, but I think there is a huge opportunity for someone to step up and earn a spot in the starting lineup. If DOC, Pustinen, Hallinder, Zohorna, Nylander and Poulin can't blow away a guy like Archibald in training camp for a roster spot then they just arent ready and in some of their cases, they never will be.

I am very excited to get this season started!
- MacPatty

I don't think he's ever played the PK at NHL level, has he?

EDIT: I must of dreamt that....he played 90 mins of PK time for Bolts last season...which was 5th highest amount for their corps over the season....so overall, not very much PK time. Same thing two seasons ago....5th in PK time for the Bolts...

Here's the forward group I'd really prefer based on the idea that I expect Sully to have Kap on the 2nd and Archibald somewhere in the lineup.

Jake-Sid-Rust
Rakell-Geno-Kapanen
Zucker-Blueger-Carter
McGinn-DOC/Poehling-Archibald

DOC showed strong ability at center last year. I have a feeling it comes down to him vs. Poehling for a lineup spot.

What are Heinen and ERod waiting for, anyway? There has to of been offers at least from one team for each....
- MattStrat

Waiting for those euro league offers

This, if Dumo is cooked we're (frank)ed because our LD is weak as (frank) and we'll have all that money on the RD.
- 668710

dumo is cooked. we're (frank)ed

dumo is cooked. we're (frank)ed
- DeflatedPucks

I'm hoping he got some much needed recovery for those legs of his. Maybe he'll be alright although it's not likely.

I'm hoping he got some much needed recovery for those legs of his. Maybe he'll be alright although it's not likely.
- j.boyd919

I'm hoping he got some much needed recovery for those legs of his. Maybe he'll be alright although it's not likely.
- j.boyd919

I expect him to be better this season being fully healthy. Now does that mean back to his old self? Probably not, but him only playing a notch above where he was last year is a huge improvement.

I'm hoping he got some much needed recovery for those legs of his. Maybe he'll be alright although it's not likely.
- j.boyd919

Geno got him some Russian Gas

I expect him to be better this season being fully healthy. Now does that mean back to his old self? Probably not, but him only playing a notch above where he was last year is a huge improvement.
- Rinosaur

That's what we need for sure

I expect him to be better this season being fully healthy. Now does that mean back to his old self? Probably not, but him only playing a notch above where he was last year is a huge improvement.
- Rinosaur

Well he was playing last year with a foot injury early in the the year, and ended the year with a grade 3 MCL tear so... that is no bueno lol

Geno got him some Russian Gas
- Feds91Stammer

the motherland calls

the motherland calls
- DeflatedPucks

Well he was playing last year with a foot injury early in the the year, and ended the year with a grade 3 MCL tear so... that is no bueno lol
- j.boyd919

Not at all which is why I expect improved play and haven't been as quick to jump all over him. Like I said though, I'm not expecting Dumo of four years ago, but I expect a more positive impact and still open to moving him. Honestly, if both him and Pettersson play well this year, it only makes Dumo more replaceable and moveable at the deadline.