BrooksBurner

If so, the obsession with Howden is out of control.

So Haley making the team over Chytil and Kravtsov? Lol.

The chances of Strome becoming part of the core are next to none, but I appreciate that attitude going into the season.

Emotions were obviously high. I understand where Kane is coming from, but even if a referee oversteps a bit you gotta just take it. That ref needs to be talked to IMO, but Kane still deserved to be ejected.

I mean, Skjei and Staal are locks so there is only one spot. And it's a tough call. Lindgren probably had a bit of an edge in terms of preseason performance, but I'm higher on Hajek.

The 3rd next year becomes a 2nd if Fox plays 30 games. I think his play has certainly warranted him being on the team. I was just saying DeAngelo looks to have picked up right where he left off, which is promising.

One thing is for certain: DeAngelo is clearly head and shoulders ahead of Fox. Fox is going to have to play exceptionally to pass him on the depth chart.

Lenieux is such a pest lol

Same. I don't see a spot for him.

Yup. He is in great shape and now he has gained confidence throughout preseason.

Weak call

They have been pumping up Zibanejad all preseason. Talking about his skill, commitment, and really highlighting his leadership. Seems to me they are setting this up to name him the Captain.

If there's one spot for Kravtsov or Chytil, Kravtsov has been better.

You can get assets for Strome/Namestnikov at the deadline. Unless they are contenders, but in that case they likely contributed a bunch to the team's success. So if the kids aren't ready, play them in Hartford until then.

Agreed. The way I think they might see it right now: Panarin/Zib/Buch Kreider/Strome/Kakko Namestnikov/Andersson/Chytil or Kravtsov Lemieux/Howden/Fast

Agreed on Kreider. He looks like a bumbling 3rd liner at the start here to be honest.

Strange thing about Chytil for me is that he looks bigger, more physically developed. Not sure if it's a mental thing to start, but he's been sort of skating around out there without much direction. I see a spot for either him or Kravtsov as a 3rd line wing with Namestnikov and Andersson, and I'm not sure which one I'd go with at this point. Sending Chytil to the Pack and letting Kravtsov get a taste of the NHL might be the best way to go here. It gets Chytil to realize this isn't a guaranteed spot because he was here last year, and they can find out what they have in Kravtsov early. If he isn't ready, then he will know the level of competition he needs to raise the bar to and what parts of his game need to improve in order to make his way back.

The time he had in Traverse City also contributes. He looked a cut above the rest there, which told me he's probably ready for the next level. For preseason, he has only played in three preseason games so the sample size is very small. He looked very dangerous almost all game against the Devils in his first preseason game. The other two games have been more uneventful, but at the same time he's been on a different line with completely different players in all 3 games. I guess for me personally, I've seen enough of him with the puck on his stick and the way he uses his body and strength to feel like he belongs.

I think you're wrong. I've seen a player that is absolutely NHL caliber from the get-go, and especially NHL caliber on the powerplay. He'll settle in with time and consistent linemates, but he deserves to be here.

Love Torts. Even if his shtick gets old to the players after some time passes, there is no denying he really seems to get the best out of players for at least a few years.

? They've got Neal Pionk.

He should. Granted, his goals (I believe he has two), were both of the garbage bin variety, but that doesn't matter too much because what matters the most is that he's been active around the ice making things happen.

Lias Andersson has a much improved burst in his first step. He has earned a spot as the starting 3C IMO.

If they can fight and win the ugly games like that one in the regular season, they have a chance to make some noise. Ugly points add up.

Ugly rush by Kreider...