https://hockeybuzz.com/bl...valchuk-Debate/266/103822

“There's no denying that the Kovalchuk signing could not have turned out better for Marc Bergevin. His new first line winger has 8 points in 8 games, he's fast becoming a fan favourite and he fits like a fish in water with the team.”

😂

Gotta say, when Trotz said he liked the team's "battle level" in the post-game, my eye started twitching a bit.

Gotta say, when Trotz said he liked the team's "battle level" in the post-game, my eye started twitching a bit.
- UIF

They better have a high battle level tonight.

They better have a high battle level tonight.
- JimmyP

Bailey and MDC are on it.

Bailey and MDC are on it.
- ses111

I don't think MDC's been all that bad *runs for cover*

I don't think MDC's been all that bad *runs for cover*
- UIF

Maybe not UIF. Just think if the Isles had a more proven top 6 they can get away with very little offense from MDC and others.

I don't think MDC's been all that bad *runs for cover*
- UIF

He’s not all that good either. He needs to show some progression I was hoping for it this season. I have a feeling trotz is going to throw him in the top 6 tonight and maybe some pp time after last game. Hopefully he does something with it if he does. He seemed to be a little more impressed than I was with his last game😂

I do agree with Captain and Ses to a point...the team's a bit overloaded with "players who try" and lacking in "players who do." And I'd like to see more concrete results from MDC.

But, I kind of like MDC's positioning in the offensive zone. He's kept some forechecks going just a little bit longer than it looked like they'd go, and from there, you never know what can happen. And I like that when he doesn't have the puck, he sort of sneaks in toward the slot but a little off to the side...just far enough out so he doesn't get jammed up in front of the net. It's a good shooter's position. Yeah, it'd be nice if that netted him more than two goals and seven points on the year.

He was drafted as a goal scorer and a shooter, so those instincts should still be there. When he couldn't break into the league as a high-end scorer, it looked like he was a pure bust, but he's taken Trotz's lessons to heart and has added some board work, grit, and responsibility to his game. If he can rediscover a bit of a scorer's mentality and add it to the game he's grown into, there could be a solid third liner in there. He's still fairly new to the NHL, so we may still see some improvement from him.

Anyway, that's an optimistic take. Now bring me back to reality.

I do agree with Captain and Ses to a point...the team's a bit overloaded with "players who try" and lacking in "players who do." And I'd like to see more concrete results from MDC.

But, I kind of like MDC's positioning in the offensive zone. He's kept some forechecks going just a little bit longer than it looked like they'd go, and from there, you never know what can happen. And I like that when he doesn't have the puck, he sort of sneaks in toward the slot but a little off to the side...just far enough out so he doesn't get jammed up in front of the net. It's a good shooter's position. Yeah, it'd be nice if that netted him more than two goals and seven points on the year.

He was drafted as a goal scorer and a shooter, so those instincts should still be there. When he couldn't break into the league as a high-end scorer, it looked like he was a pure bust, but he's taken Trotz's lessons to heart and has added some board work, grit, and responsibility to his game. If he can rediscover a bit of a scorer's mentality and add it to the game he's grown into, there could be a solid third liner in there. He's still fairly new to the NHL, so we may still see some improvement from him.

Anyway, that's an optimistic take. Now bring me back to reality.
- UIF

I like MDC's game.

The Isles as a whole do a really good job of getting into the paint. Yes, you'd like maybe a bit more skill to get the puck there in the first place, but I wouldn't want them to get away from their bread and butter which is grinding the opposition into oblivion.

I do agree with Captain and Ses to a point...the team's a bit overloaded with "players who try" and lacking in "players who do." And I'd like to see more concrete results from MDC.

But, I kind of like MDC's positioning in the offensive zone. He's kept some forechecks going just a little bit longer than it looked like they'd go, and from there, you never know what can happen. And I like that when he doesn't have the puck, he sort of sneaks in toward the slot but a little off to the side...just far enough out so he doesn't get jammed up in front of the net. It's a good shooter's position. Yeah, it'd be nice if that netted him more than two goals and seven points on the year.

He was drafted as a goal scorer and a shooter, so those instincts should still be there. When he couldn't break into the league as a high-end scorer, it looked like he was a pure bust, but he's taken Trotz's lessons to heart and has added some board work, grit, and responsibility to his game. If he can rediscover a bit of a scorer's mentality and add it to the game he's grown into, there could be a solid third liner in there. He's still fairly new to the NHL, so we may still see some improvement from him.

Anyway, that's an optimistic take. Now bring me back to reality.
- UIF

The guy looks like a giraffe on skates. I’m hoping something clicks with him eventually and was probably more excited to see him than any other player this season but I don’t see too much positive at this point. His underlying numbers are downright awful on either side of the puck. He has moments where he makes a good play with a second effort keeping the puck in but it’s usually followed by a few mishaps. The one thing I really take issue with is his skating.

The one thing a player can change and improve on and it looks like he’s done nothing with it since he was drafted. If that’s me I’m laser focused on improving my skating in the offseason I can’t imagine he did that from what I’m seeing. If he did he should fire his skating coach immediately.😂

The guy looks like a giraffe on skates. I’m hoping something clicks with him eventually and was probably more excited to see him than any other player this season but I don’t see too much positive at this point. His underlying numbers are downright awful on either side of the puck. He has moments where he makes a good play with a second effort keeping the puck in but it’s usually followed by a few mishaps. The one thing I really take issue with is his skating.

The one thing a player can change and improve on and it looks like he’s done nothing with it since he was drafted. If that’s me I’m laser focused on improving my skating in the offseason I can’t imagine he did that from what I’m seeing. If he did he should fire his skating coach immediately.😂
- Cptmjl

He's never going to look like Bret Hedican out there, and I won't try and argue he's a good skater by any stretch, but there's no way I'd agree that his skating hasn't improved at all since he was drafted. He'd never be able to take an NHL shift if that was the case!

He's never going to look like Bret Hedican out there, and I won't try and argue he's a good skater by any stretch, but there's no way I'd agree that his skating hasn't improved at all since he was drafted. He'd never be able to take an NHL shift if that was the case!
- UIF

Is it U.I.F? or is it ooff? Or is it U if?