rotten mix on d, traded away 1 too many scorers and had no viable plan to b/u bryz. earned a solid D-.
- isaiah520

Holmgren definately didn't have a great offseason.

i could have made the schematic changes necessary. i think he's run his course here...i'd can them both, but i've been fed up w/ homer's desultory approach for a while.
- isaiah520

I wouldnt argue getting rid of both. I'm not in love with either at this point. I also wont forget all the good they did to.

rotten mix on d, traded away 1 too many scorers and had no viable plan to b/u bryz. earned a solid D-.
- isaiah520

The mix on D would've been fine if they had played a different style, and the Coached had adjusted properly. The JVR deal was a great deal. Far too much has been made of who the backup was.

Sorry I'm leight to the party, where did the Nikita Zaitsev report come from? Thanks in advance.
- five4fighting10

http://www.reddit.com/r/F...offered_a_contract_to_21/

glad you're not in charge of evaluating him
- isaiah520

LOL. And if I was, I surely wouldn't be be seeing things that aren't there.

He's 20 years old. He has been a key player on the Pk. Matched up against top lines and top players. How has he not earned it? He's done a lot of the dirty work for this team, and a 19, 20 year old.
- MJL

He hasn't been their best pker. I would argue read, Feds, and talbot have been better. He's been horrible on face offs. He gets muscled off the puck easily. Lots of issues he has are of no relevancy to his linemates. He needs to add length strength and more of a burst. Yes he's only 20 and he has a lot going for him. But there's lots he needs to work on. I'd like to see him on the Gary Roberts program stamkos gained lots of strength with that

i could have made the schematic changes necessary. i think he's run his course here...i'd can them both, but i've been fed up w/ homer's desultory approach for a while.
- isaiah520

What schematic changes would you have made?

I wouldnt argue getting rid of both. I'm not in love with either at this point. I also wont forget all the good they did to.
- stveshdy

they both deserve credit, but lavi's approach has clearly been trumped by neutral zone dominant teams and homer's seemingly impulsive moves have worn on me. need a plan to stick w/.

Call me crazy i think we should trade coots that or he needs to learn how to score

they both deserve credit, but lavi's approach has clearly been trumped by neutral zone dominant teams and homer's seemingly impulsive moves have worn on me. need a plan to stick w/.
- isaiah520

Snider has alot to do with that. I'm not giving Holmgren a pass bc he didnt do well this summer. I understand he tried but that doesnt help if you dont have another plan in place incase you miss.

He hasn't been their best pker. I would argue read, Feds, and talbot have been better. He's been horrible on face offs. He gets muscled off the puck easily. Lots of issues he has are of no relevancy to his linemates. He needs to add length strength and more of a burst. Yes he's only 20 and he has a lot going for him. But there's lots he needs to work on. I'd like to see him on the Gary Roberts program stamkos gained lots of strength with that
- Just5

He's 20 years old! He's already shut down top players such as Malkin in the playoffs. I said he's been a key PKer and he has. And it is not true that he get's muscled off the puck easily. If it was, he wouldn't be such a good PK player, or a as good of a defensive player. He is not physically mature. How about we give him some time. His skating is fine. He is never going to be a speedster or have an explosive stride. And he doesn't need to.

And none of the above really addresses the question of how he hasn't earned more icetime in better situations. He has one of the highest rates of QC in the League. One of the highest rates of defensive starts. As a 19 and 20 year old.

LOL. And if I was, I surely wouldn't be be seeing things that aren't there.

- MJL

oooo! you won! AGAIN!



#legendinyourownmind.

they both deserve credit, but lavi's approach has clearly been trumped by neutral zone dominant teams and homer's seemingly impulsive moves have worn on me. need a plan to stick w/.
- isaiah520

Holmgren was real impulsive at the trade deadline. And he has stuck to the plan since the big trades.

He's 20 years old! He's already shut down top players such as Malkin in the playoffs. I said he's been a key PKer and he has. And it is not true that he get's muscled off the puck easily. If it was, he wouldn't be such a good PK player, or a as good of a defensive player. He is not physically mature. How about we give him some time. His skating is fine. He is never going to be a speedster or have an explosive stride. And he doesn't need to.

And none of the above really addresses the question of how he hasn't earned more icetime in better situations. He has one of the highest rates of QC in the League. One of the highest rates of defensive starts. As a 19 and 20 year old.
- MJL

So you dont think he can improve his skating?

So you dont think he can improve his skating?
- stveshdy

There is always room for improvement. I don't ever think he is going to be a speedster or an explosive, and fluid skater like Voracek. But his skating is more then adequate for the NHL. And it's not a hindrance to him becoming a very good player.

Snider has alot to do with that. I'm not giving Holmgren a pass bc he didnt do well this summer. I understand he tried but that doesnt help if you dont have another plan in place incase you miss.
- stveshdy

i don't have the inside scoop on that, but i don't think it's in the jerry jones/ al davis category by any stretch. gotta have plan B, for sure.

He's 20 years old! He's already shut down top players such as Malkin in the playoffs. I said he's been a key PKer and he has. And it is not true that he get's muscled off the puck easily. If it was, he wouldn't be such a good PK player, or a as good of a defensive player. He is not physically mature. How about we give him some time. His skating is fine. He is never going to be a speedster or have an explosive stride. And he doesn't need to.

And none of the above really addresses the question of how he hasn't earned more icetime in better situations. He has one of the highest rates of QC in the League. One of the highest rates of defensive starts. As a 19 and 20 year old.
- MJL

I will give him some time but hes not just going to improve by growing a year older. He thinks the game like a veteran already, really his only hope of significant improvement will be in his strength and conditioning and I hope he takes it serious this summer

There is always room for improvement. I don't ever think he is going to be a speedster or an explosive, and fluid skater like Voracek. But his skating is more then adequate for the NHL. And it's not a hindrance to him becoming a very good player.
- MJL

His skating is adequate for the NHL or he wouldnt be up here playing at 19 years old. However, I think if he worked on it he could become a better skater which could help him improve his game. Also adding some muscle and strength to those legs would make him even harder to knock off the puck. Like you said hes still maturing and is only 20. Skating is an area were he can improve imo.

I will give him some time but hes not just going to improve by growing a year older. He thinks the game like a veteran already, really his only hope of significant improvement will be in his strength and conditioning and I hope he takes it serious this summer
- Just5

You don't think he takes conditioning and strength training seriously?

His skating is adequate for the NHL or he wouldnt be up here playing at 19 years old. However, I think if he worked on it he could become a better skater which could help him improve his game. Also adding some muscle and strength to those legs would make him even harder to knock off the puck. Like you said hes still maturing and is only 20. Skating is an area were he can improve imo.
- stveshdy

I agree. As a young player he can improve in every area of his game. But his skating is not a weakness that some make it out to be.

i don't have the inside scoop on that, but i don't think it's in the jerry jones/ al davis category by any stretch. gotta have plan B, for sure.
- isaiah520

Eddy has input we all know that. Holmgren has to figure out a way to build this blueline. Thats the most important issue going into the offseason.

i don't have the inside scoop on that, but i don't think it's in the jerry jones/ al davis category by any stretch. gotta have plan B, for sure.
- isaiah520

He did have a plan B. Get some stopgap players like Gervais. if you don't get one of the top defenseman, you don't get into a long term deal for a middle tier player, and use up those Cap assets. You get short term players, and show patience.

You don't think he takes conditioning and strength training seriously?
- MJL

We'll find out. I saw no difference from his rookie year

I agree. As a young player he can improve in every area of his game. But his skating is not a weakness that some make it out to be.
- MJL

I dont think skating is a weakness but its also not a strength in his game either.

I dont think skating is a weakness but its also not a strength in his game either.
- stveshdy

Nope, and I don't think it's ever going to be.