GrassValleyGreg

Thought Franson had an awful game. A number of glaring mental errors; lackadaisical around the puck. It's a shame Kuli has not been able to get it going. He's a big weapon in the type of transition game we're trying to play.

Since drafting Sam and signing ROR, the hope of many was to see ROR shift to wing and have our back-to-back top 5 picks become an elite one-two punch down the middle. ROR's dominance in the circle makes this difficult to do right now (not to mention Sam being far from an elite #2), but the change may benefit the team under the current roster. Proposed lineup: Okposo - Eichel - Foligno Kane - Reinhart - ROR Gionta - Girgensons - Bailey Mouls - Grant - Des/Carrier Keep the first line going. They've shown some growth in the last few games (particularly on neutral D, Jack's stick is a big time disruptor here). Put ROR on the wing with Sam where he could still take draws often. Girgs been playing well of late, and a change to center is what seemed to have been the spark. He'd be a solid #3, although he wouldn't have much protection in the circle here (maybe shift Kane with Gionta?). Injuries have been the one consistent theme of the season, and one of the few strengths of our depleted roster is depth at center. If ROR is willing to make the move to wing and he maintains his play, then I think the experiment may pay off. *Not necessarily advocating this, just more of a thought experiment.

I'd like to propose a healthy forward lineup based on a few factors: 1) Sam's comfort level at center. Sammy has not had a great sophomore season but he does look more comfortable when playing the pivot. 2) Smart Gio complementing forceful Kane. On more than one occasion Kane forced a bullet pass to Gio in the neutral zone. For any other player, it would have been caught in feet or deflected into a turnover. Gio simply opened up his stick and one-touched it to the off wing. I think these two are perfect complements to one another and Kane has a respect for Gio's game which can go a long way for his commitment and battle. 3) Giving Lars some top line minutes. There is little doubt that Lars is one of our best and most consistent players on the ice. His skill is often as evident as his ability to play a two-way game. Putting him with some high-end talent could see him take another step. Note: We are one forward short of serious playoff contender. (Vesey :( ) Larsson - O'Reilly - Moulson Foligno - Eichel - Okposo Kane - Reinhart - Gionta Girgensons - Grant - Carrier Thoughts? What are the negatives? Sorry if this isn't where wishful lineups should go.

Sam's shift on the third goal is the best I've seen from him this year, but his game continues to weigh down our top six. I might move Lars up and let Sammy develop a bit at center. He appeared to start taking well to it before. Kanes best game of the year showcasing speed and even some stickhandling, although I still don't notice his stellar forecheck as much as I used too. Maybe someone got in his ear about staying healthy? We should still dump and chase with him a bit more, especially if he's playing on the third. I think its obvious the shootouts have been in Lehnny's head for a while now. Any history of a cold backup going in at the end of OT? Would it mess too much with psyche? (he is playing very well). Is it a role Anders would embrace? To the guy taking an unprompted shot at "Hillary fans", not really any place for that. Heading home and going to the game Thursday. Pumped! My optimism will take a dent if we don't put it away in regulation.

Sniper has a pretty specific definition and is in no way as broad as 30-goal scorer.

Jack Capuano of the Island threw some shade at Garth and the front office tonight: "Where are we going to get point production? One hundred and thirty four points out of our lineup that we lost. Now we have to find a way." I'd be frustrated too losing a horse like Ok. Happy we were the beneficiary.

Just watched the game replay here on the west coast. Some observations: -On Ennis: so nice to have him back after having tempered expectations followed by a slow start. Almost forgot how heady of a player he can be. Him and Reino are starting to understand each other's game and the resulting possession is impressive. What a bonus Enzo will be when we are at full go. Ennis-Reino-Eich could be a force in the o zone. -On Mouls: Obvious by now but another pleasant surprise is Mouls returning to form. After completely writing him off, he has shown what made him an NHL player in the past: hand/eye, positioning, and a decent shot with ability to finish around the net. These two players returning to form is really the early season story in my opinion, followed by Risto’s continued development and Oks smart and physical play and it's fit in our offense. Lehnney’s play could soon be included in this early season story line. -On Bailey and Baptiste: Very evident infusion of youth and speed. Bailey especially seems motivated by pro minutes. Didn’t watch his defensive work closely, but he could be a tough decision when Fasch and Des are back. -On where we stand: Obviously not good to lose our top playmaker and Kane, but the absence of these two (our most dynamic but also most anti-system players) might have been a boon to DD and the development of his system. The anti-DD crowd is clear in their critique, but I agree with what one poster said: his system is glaring in its deficiencies when not executed but effective when bought into by all. The system is especially effective on the road. If we can bag more points at home, we are in good shape. Huge eastern conference stretch ahead. Nice to be heading into it with some confidence.

Big eastern stretch coming up. After Minnesota, Leafs at home at Sens at Bruins Sens at home Devils at home at Devils With another well-played game at Minny, we'll return home with some confidence for Nylanders and Matthews first in THE KEY.

I'm happy the irony was not lost, although my reaction to a two game win streak was solely to highlight the short-sightedness of the reactions by the reactionaries that came before. In reality, the constant negativity including tank talk, firing of head coach, etc. after the first four games (after losing best player with 10 minutes left in final preseason practice, missing our top FA acquisition to start the season, losing our best forechecker (maybe in league) and second fastest skater) was a drag on GDT. Hope a little streak turns that around and we can can return to some actual substantive analysis and critique. And wrong how? Because we don't have the wild card tie breaker after 8 games. Come on.

Haha kudos to the reactionary posters for raising this strategic insight that has turned the early season around. Nothing to be said about players who've never played with one another getting some time together. Or the fact that we outplayed teams in three of our losses. And there's different levels of reactionaries. You, Flagg, actually do offer some insight with your early season negativity. -- Every game that goes by, the better that Risto deal looks. He's looked wholly sound in his own end and is jumping the zone and possessing much more this season, a la his under 18 performances.

To the overwhelming number of reactionary posters who draw conclusions from 4 of 82 games, we are now tied for the wild card. How does that fit into your doomsday prognostications?

Mason closing it up real quick. Nice to have a 38% shooter in Ok.

Hope thats a very small group.

Seriously. I guess Buffalo fans just find more joy in commiseration. Tough pill to swallow but you guys are going to have to adjust expectations a bit without are two most dynamic players. Came out playing a solid road game. Unfortunately we came apart. Let's get the other point now.

Haha ashamed of them? Clearly holding arm but that's tough to overturn.

After a really smart play. Too bad. But I agree with Flagg, not as bad as the announcers making it out to be. Damn, let's win this for Nilsson.

Ahhhh. Got it. Tough in the GDT context. Yea, Russians (especially the young ones) like Pov notorious for blatant dives.

What a Russian dive Povorov. No place for that in the game.

Meaning you thought that throughout the road trip? Really didn't see that at all. Thought he was one of our best players, if not our best.

We have some very cerebral players but our overall team intelligence is dragged down by Caveman Bogo. He has a good physical feel for the game but no mind for it.

Hopefully he'll be off the PP1 sooner rather than later. Nice to have some confidence back. ROR stick handling on that PP was a thing of beauty. And yes, far far and away Enos best play so far. Good to see.

Bet Eich has a big old smile on his face too.

Love how some boomers now default to a generational divide in argument. The fact you bring up bigots/liars/scoundrels is quite telling. Surprised to see he was third star. Maybe a little home town love? Definitely got better as the game wore on but still don't even think he was best player on his line. Happy to hear your observation of him being a force though. I know Mouls has been solid, but I'd like to see Sam in front of goalie a bit more on PP (him not front and center just another indirect impact of Eich's absence).

Damn man, great in-person scouting report. Thanks. And couldn't agree more with each observation. I'm hoping the team will use the long break and return home as a sort of reset. They can look back at this odd short, early-season western road trip as nothing more than a false start. I think our top 3 will only get stronger (especially with ROR getting some wind and Ok getting more time) and along with it, our PP1 will start flowing like in Edmonton. Depth is the issue obviously but we have the smarts and physicality to keep our heads above water before help arrives. Long season ahead. Here's to some optimism in a sea of doubt.

Huh?