I'll take 5-3 for any 8 game stretch. I like the new system, it has the forwards playing with accountability in all three zones and yes we have some growing pains with our rookies but they are playing with some jump and exciting to have 4 lines that can score. But the quarter mark will be a better time to evaluates this team.we have the Hawks tonight and I hope we don't stand around admiring their play like we did the first time or against the Bruins last game. Gudas is making a name for himself and Sustr is a pleasant surprise with his presence under pressure. Lineback has a slow start but we will see him again this weekend. We have two more at home then 8 out of the next ten on the road. Those two home games during that stretch are St Louis and the Ducks not a very easy schedule for our first quarter so a good test of this team. With the east west matchups being dominated by the west so far this season we are 3-0 and hopefully 4-0 after tonight. Everyone worries about our division but we have 30 games and 60 points on the board against the west more than any previous years so these matchups can make or break a season and half of our first 20 are against the west.

thank (frank)in god we drafted vasilevsky and not subban,

thank (frank)in god we drafted vasilevsky and not subban,
- RileyB77

He certainly is struggling, but going from the Junior level to the AHL isn't easy. I am still happier with Vasilevski over Subban

Well, we kind of crapped the bed against Boston, but those games happen a few times every season.

That being said, our D has been great (comparatively), Goaltending has been solid with Bishop, the offense is clicking, as expected... the system is good.

All around, very good start. No complaints at all, but I don't want to dissect this until game 20 or so.

These are Boltprospects preliminary rankings and I have to say that some are downright wrong.

The list:

BP Top 30 Prospects
Ranking date: 7/9/2013
F Jonathan Drouin-
G Andrey Vasilevskiy-
F Vladislav Namestnikov- WTF? That's a little high I think.
F Richard Panik- too inconsistent for no. 4
F Nikita Kucherov- no NHL exp. and he's above TJ and Palat
D Radko Gudas-
F Tyler Johnson- no love for the short guy
F Adam Erne-
F Ondrej Palat- ummmmmmm, to low joe!
D Andrej Sustr-
F J.T. Brown- could be high or lower
D Slater Koekkoek- this bastard just keeps falling
D Mark Barberio- well....
F Matthew Peca-
G Jaroslav Janus- Gudlevskis is gonna knock him down
F Brian Hart- Bugsy part 2 (but healthy)?
F Tanner Richard- Thompson part 2
D Nikita Nesterov- long road ahead
G Adam Wilcox- paging Ryan Miller, Ryan Miller!
F Cedric Paquette- all hype, no bite
G Kristers Gudlevskis- will move up quickly
D Luke Witkowski- put on your poop kickers and kick some poop!
F Jimmy Mullin
D Dylan Blujus
D Artem Sergeev
F Nikita Gusev
F Henri Ikonen- keep an eye on him
F Philippe Paradis

These are Boltprospects preliminary rankings and I have to say that some are downright wrong.

The list:

BP Top 30 Prospects
Ranking date: 7/9/2013
F Jonathan Drouin-
G Andrey Vasilevskiy-
F Vladislav Namestnikov- WTF? That's a little high I think.
F Richard Panik- too inconsistent for no. 4
F Nikita Kucherov- no NHL exp. and he's above TJ and Palat
D Radko Gudas-
F Tyler Johnson- no love for the short guy
F Adam Erne-
F Ondrej Palat- ummmmmmm, to low joe!
D Andrej Sustr-
F J.T. Brown- could be high or lower
D Slater Koekkoek- this bastard just keeps falling
D Mark Barberio- well....
F Matthew Peca-
G Jaroslav Janus- Gudlevskis is gonna knock him down
F Brian Hart- Bugsy part 2 (but healthy)?
F Tanner Richard- Thompson part 2
D Nikita Nesterov- long road ahead
G Adam Wilcox- paging Ryan Miller, Ryan Miller!
F Cedric Paquette- all hype, no bite
G Kristers Gudlevskis- will move up quickly
D Luke Witkowski- put on your poop kickers and kick some poop!
F Jimmy Mullin
D Dylan Blujus
D Artem Sergeev
F Nikita Gusev
F Henri Ikonen- keep an eye on him
F Philippe Paradis
- Artyukhin76

ive looked that list over a few times and couldn't believe tyler Johnson at 8, he could be higher for sure...I agree with 1 and I agree with 2 , I think koekkoek will rise once he goes pro next season. he isn't really getting as much credit as he could be getting, he is a defenseman with a PPG status and will improve defensively with more maturity and seasoning, 2 years in the AHL after this year will be awesome for him and we can look forward to that I think

ikonen is on a line with very talented guys, but he is impressing just as much as them...and they went 1st , he went 6th...I think that will turn out to be a palat situation ....a gem in the late rounds...great scouting ..

These are Boltprospects preliminary rankings and I have to say that some are downright wrong.

The list:

BP Top 30 Prospects
Ranking date: 7/9/2013
F Jonathan Drouin-
G Andrey Vasilevskiy-
F Vladislav Namestnikov- WTF? That's a little high I think.
F Richard Panik- too inconsistent for no. 4
F Nikita Kucherov- no NHL exp. and he's above TJ and Palat
D Radko Gudas-
F Tyler Johnson- no love for the short guy
F Adam Erne-
F Ondrej Palat- ummmmmmm, to low joe!
D Andrej Sustr-
F J.T. Brown- could be high or lower
D Slater Koekkoek- this bastard just keeps falling
D Mark Barberio- well....
F Matthew Peca-
G Jaroslav Janus- Gudlevskis is gonna knock him down
F Brian Hart- Bugsy part 2 (but healthy)?
F Tanner Richard- Thompson part 2
D Nikita Nesterov- long road ahead
G Adam Wilcox- paging Ryan Miller, Ryan Miller!
F Cedric Paquette- all hype, no bite
G Kristers Gudlevskis- will move up quickly
D Luke Witkowski- put on your poop kickers and kick some poop!
F Jimmy Mullin
D Dylan Blujus
D Artem Sergeev
F Nikita Gusev
F Henri Ikonen- keep an eye on him
F Philippe Paradis
- Artyukhin76

If they're ranking them based purely on talent and chance of succeeding in the NHL like most do I think Namestnikov is appropriately rated. I'm really starting to hate that Koekkoek pick more and more. Especially when you consider who was still on the board at that time. I think Sustr is rated a little low, didn't most college prospects have him pegged as a top 4 guy? And Kucherov should be above Palat, he's way more talented. And no to Miller unless they take salary back.

ive looked that list over a few times and couldn't believe tyler Johnson at 8, he could be higher for sure...I agree with 1 and I agree with 2 , I think koekkoek will rise once he goes pro next season. he isn't really getting as much credit as he could be getting, he is a defenseman with a PPG status and will improve defensively with more maturity and seasoning, 2 years in the AHL after this year will be awesome for him and we can look forward to that I think

ikonen is on a line with very talented guys, but he is impressing just as much as them...and they went 1st , he went 6th...I think that will turn out to be a palat situation ....a gem in the late rounds...great scouting ..
- RileyB77

I dunno, I think he's shaping up to be one of those offensive D's who are a major liability in their own end but it is still early so who knows.

I dunno, I think he's shaping up to be one of those offensive D's who are a major liability in their own end but it is still early so who knows.
- Icegirl94

yeah thats what he is right now, maybe a few in the AHL will teach otherwise, but lik you said...who knows

im (frank)ed in fantasy...

i had rinne as my goalie i rely on hes been playing outstanding lately...then i had thomas and brodeur...2 goalies who are basically back ups at this point with a hope of still grabbing the #1 role which wont happen....

now i have JS Giguere to replace rinne and got rid of thomas, and giguere is in the exact same boat...hes a backup ... (frank)

but theres no #1 goalies left that are really that good...and as long as giguere and brodeur play a combined of 3 games a week ill be alright, but i dont think thatll happen....HELP

im franked in fantasy...

i had rinne as my goalie i rely on hes been playing outstanding lately...then i had thomas and brodeur...2 goalies who are basically back ups at this point with a hope of still grabbing the #1 role which wont happen....

now i have JS Giguere to replace rinne and got rid of thomas, and giguere is in the exact same boat...hes a backup ... (frank)

but theres no #1 goalies left that are really that good...and as long as giguere and brodeur play a combined of 3 games a week ill be alright, but i dont think thatll happen....HELP
- RileyB77

I don't want to brag.....

I'm on fire.

If they're ranking them based purely on talent and chance of succeeding in the NHL like most do I think Namestnikov is appropriately rated. I'm really starting to hate that Koekkoek pick more and more. Especially when you consider who was still on the board at that time. I think Sustr is rated a little low, didn't most college prospects have him pegged as a top 4 guy? And Kucherov should be above Palat, he's way more talented. And no to Miller unless they take salary back.
- Icegirl94

Talent doesn't mean squat if you can't play the entire ice surface. Palat before Kucherov and Namestnikov. Kucherov and Namestnikov are just as talented as Filitov and look where he is.

Keokkeok is the second best defensive prospect we have not in Tampa Bay right now, the first being Korobov.

Sustr was a FA, and for the first couple years nobody wanted him.
I wasnt saying that we take Miller, but Wilcox is running the same rout as him.