PerreaultForever

That's true, and I do think Peterka has that style of game in him. I was thinking mostly about when Krebs got pasted into the boards. Kyle shoved the guy a bit and Krebs was yapping at another guy after but on most teams somebody would have come in a pasted the guy. I don't want to get into a long debate over it with the non violence contingent though. It's just something that to me, is moving in the right direction, but still has a ways to go and I do think this team would get bigger and braver all over if it had a so called policeman on the bench.

Yup, there's better puck possession and better awareness of where other players are. More use of a 5 man unit as well. Even Skinner is passing the puck better and I never thought I'd see that.

Had to watch this one in replay so late to the party but the biggest difference really was it seemed Tage wanted to show St. Louis they shouldn't have traded him or maybe he had old friends in the stands, but he seemed especially motivated to stick it to them. In many ways they tried to blow this one and UPL had to make some big late saves but still, overall, a good road game by a real hockey team. I think the biggest thing is we finally have some continuity and lines where people compliment each other and are communicating better and simply running around less. less selfish individual play and more structured team play. It's been a long time coming. It speaks to Granato doing a good job, but also to the "individuals" being gone from the roster. Still don't like how we just give a stern talking to (along with a little push and shove) to opponents who take liberties and deliver cheap hits, that'll bite us one night I just know it, but it's improving. Slightly. We could still use more toughness though. otherwise, what's not to like?

I'm not sure if they bring it this year but they can be a very physical team so it's a different kind of test. Defending the front of the net properly will be key.

No, I don't remember Tuch and Krebs being mentioned specifically but Vegas was definitely rumoured to be where Eichel was headed several times prior to the trade. Ducks were also mentioned as a possible like you say.

That was a pretty good road win. Really nice for Power to get a meaningful goal as his first goal. He will remember that one. Anderson kept them in it during a sloppy first period though. Samuelsson uncharacteristically bad in the first as well. Fortunately Dallas didn't score a bunch of goals and they could recover and play better structure in the 2nd and 3rd.

He's a team guy, but for him, does that team have to be the Sabres? I'm thinking not, and I think his agent will ask for a lot. Not saying he wouldn't be fine with being a Sabre long term, but I could see them playing hard ball much like Nylander did with Toronto. I doubt he gives any kind of discount so they'll probably have to pay him 8ish.

Pretty much figured he was being set up to be a scapegoat when they didn't give him a long extension after the late season success last year. He won the fans over with that and then his personality made him popular. Fans in Vancouver definitely didn't blame him. Tocchet? Don't see him fixing anything. They have to fix their cap first so a dismantling has to happen. Whatever team can manage to work Horvat into their salary structure will get a huge lift for the playoffs. Actually made the conspiracy part of my brain wonder about the Pacioretty re-injury. Is he really made of glass, or are they pulling a Kucherov? Whatever the case, there's some big names out there and the deadline could be wild this year.

Only in part. I'm not talking about Tage starting to run people into the boards (although he could do that once in a while for sure), what I mean more is just going right at defenders and muscling your way to the goal front, screening the goalie as an immovable object, adding some of Tuch's game if you like. Or if you want to go back in time a little more Dave Andreychuk.

He's such a gentle giant. Guy just doesn't want to use his size. Uses his reach, but not his size. Don't know if this will ever change.

The next 4 are all mid level teams but are tough to play against. They are however, the games you need to win to have a shot at the playoffs. 2-2 isn't good enough at this stage.

I can't say I notice him all the time. Sometimes he's a little invisible as I'm more focused on what Cozens is doing (for example) but I definitely am seeing him in the right areas to make plays, but a step away or stopped near an opposing player rather than moving directly at him or into him. Can't tell you which period was the most glaring. Mid game, probably second. Okay, hesitant. The reason for the hesitation is inferred though (by both of us). Could be one or the other or both things together. In any event, he's a weak link at the moment.

Most definitely, and you get into a kind of conundrum over it. If he's not physically ready can he play properly and develop properly focusing on what he needs to focus on or is he spending too much time trying to keep his head up or backing off contact and trying to learn to avoid contact. I think we have rushed him. I'd contrast him with Krebs who spent more time at a lower level. He could still add some muscle to help his game, but he has a lot less fear in it.

laugh all you want, but since he got thumped a few games back I've seen him back off players a number of times. So you don't like the word afraid, you prefer overly cautious? Hesitating? How do you want to phrase it?

Reading this piece, Cassidy also dumping on his goalie. Jack, typically, doesn't shoulder the blame and admit he has to be better, he prefers to spread the blame around a little. What a leader! 🙂 https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/he-needs-to-be-one-of-the-drivers-golden-knights-cassidy-calls-out-eichels-play/

You have to remember Cassidy has gone from Bergeron to Eichel. Cassidy's system is all about defensive accountability. If Eichel had zero points in that stretch but had a plus rating, Cassidy would be happier with him. Same reason he had a problem with DeBrusk.

idk. He needs to be bigger and stronger, and less afraid. He needs to grow into a man so to speak. Too many times I see him in the right position, ready to make the right play, but he'll stop or back away from contact and won't press the play further, so the opponent just moves past him or passes easily. So mentally I think he can read the plays and make the decisions, but he's just too gun shy after that, and a lot of that is because he's not physically ready. Send him to the weight room every day.

Yes, but I was just talking about today. That Zegras goal on the short side was poor positioning by UPL and should never have gone in. The long shot was weak as well.

Not until he gets bigger, and less afraid.

However, ultimately, it doesn't mean much as some of those top "dominant" teams made early playoff exits. So clearly, there is another missing component(s).

I generally don't like to dump on goalies but there was some shoddy goaltending in this one (both sides). Ducks are in the tank. Fully immersed. I found myself wondering today could Cozens be our Bergeron and Krebs be our Marchand? Cozens really seems to be coming into his own and is only being held back by being saddled with the rookies. Quinn shouldn't be in the NHL. He's just not ready. But Cozens has got it all and that drive and focus with 2 way ability is making me think Bergeron. Some will say Krebs isn't a dirty Marchand type rat, but watch closely, it's coming. Kid likes to get in close, toss an elbow, a slash, a little butt end, scraps and yaps. Sure, he hasn't licked anyone (yet) but I can see the Marchand in him developing. Eichel trade looking even better. We need that. Lybushkyn was good today. Solid play as others have said. Tage is bothering me though. He just seems to be floating at times. Lacking desire? Just not into it? Head elsewhere? idk. Might be nothing. See how it goes. This game was more like it should have been against Chicago. With good goaltending this game is 6-1 or a shutout.

So using this chart, who usually wins the Stanley Cup? I'm assuming it'd be "dominant"?

I really don't understand why people here think any team would be interested in Vinnie, especially with his salary. The only scenario for a trade that I could see is if we made (for example) a deal for Chychrun that was all picks and prospects. We could throw Vinnie in to keep them above the cap floor. Otherwise, this is not much different to Sheehan. Just another scrub who was signed as insurance and lost his job to a youngster. Time for Vinnie to consider a European vacation.

It was only a matter of time before this inevitably happened. It's what Cassidy does. That's why Krejci went home to Europe and DeBrusk demanded a trade. Cassidy always throws players under the bus. But he's not wrong. Eichel lacks character and drive. Talent aside, he's the exact opposite of Tuch.

Even if he doesn't, I suspect that will be what KA will do (if he ever even had a shopping list). Myself, I'd still upgrade Comrie.