Washington has been content to plug up the NZ since they went up 2-0, and we can’t make anything happen.
Just got back from the game. Some drunk thoughts that certainly don’t matter..... - Ovie is almost a cartoon character of himself. He played over 20 mins I think but must skate less distance than everyone else in the game minus the goalies - Givani Smith is not an NHL player. Time for someone new in his spot - Raymond looked banged up - Poor move to pull off the top PP on that 5 on 3 in the 2nd period. They played the first 50-60 secs and then went to the 2nd unit. Larkin looked pissed they got yanked. They weren’t exactly lighting it up but no way they were gassed. Plenty of teams would just run out the top unit for the entire PP - Absolutely zero reason to put Raymond and Larkin back on the ice with 10 seconds left in the game. Of course there was a scrum at the end. No harm but totally pointless to put your best skill players on the ice - Carley Johnston has a nice ass
I don’t hate Smith since he’s been put with Erne and Ras but at this point it’s obvious we need more speed in the lineup. It should be a simple tweak, honestly. Stetcher to IR Veleno recalled Bertuzzi - Larkin - Raymond Fabbri - Suter - Zadina Namestikov - Veleno - Gagner Rasmussen - Stephens - Erne Smith - Rowney We will be close to the deadline when Vrana is back, at which point I would look to trade Fabbri, Vlad and Leddy, at which point you can go with Bertuzzi - Larkin - Raymond Zadina - Suter - Vrana Berggren - Veleno - Gagner Rasmussen - Stephens - Erne
Fuck man, this is so awful to see. Illitch should hire Vlad as a team ambassador and give him a six figure salary and executive level benefits. It’s not hard.
Why are we trading Fabbri? Seemed like a good 3rd liner on a good team last year. Is that not the case anymore? Still have no idea why they protected Smith.
Pending UFA, and with Veleno and Berggren on the wings, it’s time to start clearing out space in the top nine.
Also, I’ve been catching up on Griffins stuff, and I think Sebrango is going to play for Detroit at some point this season. I wouldn’t be shocked if he’s a fixture in the top 6 as soon as next year either. He won’t ever be an elite guy, but he can make a good outlet pass, and he plays with edge.
We are going to win because Bertuzzi gets a hat trick and it’s going to infuriate me that he missed those previous two games in Montreal.
Since the halfway point of the game we have been getting caved. We just cannot enter the offensive zone and sustain possession.
No that’s good. We aren’t ready for the playoffs. So one more year of a top draft pick and flipping Bert/Greiss/Fabbri/Leddy/etc for 1sts/2nds. Then hit the ground running in 2022-2023.
I know Rasmussen is still young, but goodness. No awareness and he's soft in all facets. I really dislike the term soft because I feel like it's often lazy analysis, but it absolutely fits his game
Also, watching him reminds me of how many hockey people fawn over bigger players, yet that player doesn't use his size. Meanwhile, a player like daysyuk was so tough on the puck, in addition to his insane skill, yet he was "small"
Not sure how Bertuzzi can travel with the team to Vegas. Dylan is stuck in Dallas while they wait for further info.