deejaid

Trotz is a winner and I think his style could work here. A defensively responsible style with an elite goaltender is a recipe for success even if it isn't always the most exciting brand of hockey. One name I keep coming back to is Rick Tocchet. The Rangers interviewed him but ultimately went with Gallant. He did a lot with a little with that Coyotes team. I'm wondering why they ultimately passed on him and he didn't get another head coaching job and went into broadcasting.

I’m on the west coast so I don’t get to share in the misery at the same time as all of you as I watch the game later, but last night gave me flashbacks of two seasons ago where we’d go into the 3rd period with the lead and you’d just pray they could onto it. I just don’t understand how you come out at the start of the 3rd with a two goal lead and give up a goal 14 seconds in. That is on leadership to have the team ready to come out for the start of the period, whether player leadership or coaching leadership. The fact that it was Mika’s line makes it worse, as it wasn’t some youthful mistake. As for the blaming the refs, what a bunch of horseshit. Yeah, the ref missed the trip on Kakko, but the ref wasn’t responsible for the team coming out flat to start the third and the passive “hopefully run out the clock” mentality. The big names need to step up but I’d love to see Trivigno called up to play on the 4th line. Carpenter is just a warm body out there doing nothing. We need some energy on the fourth line. I made my case in the off-season for keeping Tyler Motte and god I wish we had him now. With a 2 goal lead in the third you need to tilt the ice with a relentless forecheck and suffocate the opponent in their own end.

That particular play wasn’t why I called him weak, it was just one example. And it’s not just physical strength, but also mental toughness and intestinal fortitude. Why did he not play the last two preseason games? Was it due to injury or were Gallant and/or Drury not happy with his play? I mean, 5 days ago wasn’t there a question whether or not he was even going to be in the opening night roster after not playing in those preseason games? And I’ve seen highlights, especially his KHL goals. A lot of pretty goals off the rush. He wasn’t touched by a defender on any of them. That might work on a larger ice surface in a league where hitting isn’t as big a part of the game, but he doesn’t have the time and space to make those plays in the NHL. He’ll need to adjust his game to this league, but is he capable of doing that and still be an offensive threat? As for the Hedman play, are you telling me you wouldn’t want Trouba to make the same play Hedman made given the chance? Take your man into the boards to stop his forward momentum and then tie him up to allow your teammate to take control of the puck. That was just a good defensive play. Again, I hope he can bring it all together and become a good top 6 right wing for us, but after all the drama surrounding him the last few years is it going to work? I’m just not sold.

I'm not saying he should play like Trouba at all, but like you said, he needs to adjust his game to play in the NHL. You just said it yourself, he needs to use his size in wall battles. That sure is hell wasn't a battle along the walls as he got folded up by Hedman. I made reference to Othmann in an earlier post because Othmann, though very young, looks like he understands the NHL, what kind of effort it will take to be successful. I'm rooting for Kravtsov to succeed, I just don't know if he realizes what it is going to take to be successful in the NHL. I'd bet Drury was thinking (and perhaps said) the same thing during last years drama that led to Kravtsov's return to Russia.

I'm not calling him weak because of that play he was injured on, but just his play in general. He doesn't look strong on his skates. Brad Marchand is 5'9" and strong on the puck, so was Theo Fleury who was even smaller. Kravtsov is 6'3" but doesn't play like it. An 82 game NHL season is a grind and I applaud Kravtsov for coming over in July to start training but he was injured after just three shifts on opening night. And that play looks like a hockey play to me, don't see what is so dirty about it.

God, Kravtsov is so timid and weak. All I could think of last night watching the game was it's time to bring Brennan Othmann up to the NHL. Othmann showed he had balls in the preseason and he would bring youthful exuberance to the lineup and wouldn't be afraid to get dirty. He looks more NHL ready than Kravtsov does and another year in the OHL does him no good at this point.

What did they have to tie to Nemeth to get Arizona to take him, Lundkvist?

That's true

That $3M in cap space listed on Cap Friendly didnt include Kravtsov. So without any salary dump barely enough to even sign Kakko.

So Cap Friendly is updated showing just over $3M with the Trocheck and Halak deals added. Still have to sign Kakko at $2M-$2.5M. Is that it?

Same money as Copp although two more years. Trocheck will be 36 at the end of that contract. Copp, a year younger will finish his 5-year deal with Detroit at age 33. Really would have liked to see this deal at 5 years instead of 7.

I guess I am holding out hope that Chytil will blossom into that 60-point 2nd line center and the third line can then become that relentless fore-checking line that scores timely goals like the Coleman-Gourde-Goodrow line in TB.

I'd like to see Goodrow on the third line personally.

Rooney to Calgary, so there goes our 4th line center.

A. Copp- Detroit $6M x 6 J. Gaudreau- New Jersey $10.25M x 7 V. Trocheck- Pittsburgh $6.5M x 5

This. If we weren’t willing to pay Copp, a 27 year old in his prime because of term, how can Kadri or Malkin or any other 30+ year olds wanting $6M+ and 4+ years be considered? I still think Chytil needs to be given the shot at 2C. Either he runs with it and we are all good, or the decision can then be made to move him to wing or trade him. That said, we need center depth so what about someone like Evan Rodrigues or Danton Heinen? Both could probably be had for a cheap two year deal and would slot in nicely at 3C with the ability to slide up if Chytil struggles at 2C.

The more I think about it, the more I like the Dylan Strome idea. I'd like to see Chytil take the next step in his development and take over the #2 center spot but signing either Ryan Strome or Andrew Copp or any other established center for that matter will block Chytil and at that point make him either a bottom 6 center or trade piece. Bringing in Dylan Strome who is a similar age to compete with Chytil should raise both of their games, and whichever doesn't win the 2C spot will be the 3C and will be pushing the other. Dyland Strome at $4M x 3 would also hopefully allow the resigning of Tyler Motte at around $2M per.

It seems to work for Tampa every year.

Motte is my most important UFA to resign. I’d give him some term, 3 or 4 years, let him walk at 31.

It’s time for the kids to step up. If Chytil is ready to be the 2C they drafted him to be, the top two lines should already be on the roster. Kreids-Zib-Laf Bread- Chytil-Kakko Then we need some energy guys, relentless forecheckers. Bring back Motte and sign Nick Paul at 3x$2.5M. Bottom 6 is then Paul-Goodrow-Kravtsov Hunt-Motte-Blais Extra: Reaves and ? Not spending $5.5M on Strome or Copp or anyone else in that range ensures there is money for locking up Laf and Key long term.

The more I looked at it I think they just list Kinkaid in the scouting report section as he has the lowest GAA (2.00) on the team. Had my hopes up for a minute that they were able to dump Georgiev on someone.

Interesting that NHL.com is showing Keith Kinkaid as the starter today in the scouting report section. Georgie being moved?

I agree, but maybe too much pressure for Kaapo on Zibs line since Zib has only scored once in 17 games. Kakko doesn’t need to do as much with Strome-Bread.

When I heard “lineup changes” I was hoping Kakko would be back with Bread and Strome. He finally started looking comfortable and scoring a bit on that line and Gallant moves him to Zib-Kreider line. Doesn’t make sense.