If Vrbata is on the 2nd line with Bonino, then I think that is change.

Bonino is not Kesler and I am fine with that, but the Vrbata acquisition is what many have been clamouring for, a finisher/shooter. The last time we had one of those was when Samuelson was healthy.

But you are prolly right, we don't want to spread the offense too thin.

If Shinkaruk or Jensen can step up, I would prefer one of them in the top 9 than Hansen. They have more potential to put up the points than Hansen.
- hillbillydeluxe

At the game last night and to me, Bonino and Burrows were invisible....

Vrbata had a good game but he is pretty soft......same with Vey......Daniel....what the (frank) happened to this guys shot? He was throwing creampuffs at the net all net....

Finally, when can we trade Miller???? The guy is horrible......

If they can get Sbisa to play a physical defense, he's very effective. If he plays like last night, even though he had one great hit....

At the game last night and to me, Bonino and Burrows were invisible....

Vrbata had a good game but he is pretty soft......same with Vey......Daniel....what the (frank) happened to this guys shot? He was throwing creampuffs at the net all net....

Finally, when can we trade Miller???? The guy is horrible......
- chompsey

I was hoping Lack would be given the chance to be #1 and then that feckin trade happened.

would like to see the details of his ntc... if he sinks it up and/or throws the team under the bus then he may be asking for a trade out of the graveyard.

One pre-season loss.

Take it easy boys.

P.S, Bonino was playing a fourth line role, so long as he isn't responsible for goals against being "invisible" is OK.

So, you're an Athletic supporter then?
- we_are_all_canucks

Well, better to be a "jock" than to be stuffed in your locker by the jocks.

Nerd

At the game last night and to me, Bonino and Burrows were invisible....

Vrbata had a good game but he is pretty soft......same with Vey......Daniel....what the (frank) happened to this guys shot? He was throwing creampuffs at the net all net....

Finally, when can we trade Miller???? The guy is horrible......
- chompsey

Never, once Lack outplays him, Eddie will be dealt for a underwhelming package of picks/borderline NHLers.

From the comments I can see bipolar Tuesday is in full force. I can only imagine how intense it's going to be once the regular season starts Please guys, no suicides just yet, save it for the next time we lose in the SCF

One pre-season loss.

Take it easy boys.

P.S, Bonino was playing a fourth line role, so long as he isn't responsible for goals against being "invisible" is OK.
- Whiskey-Tango

Thank you for this

From the comments I can see bipolar Tuesday is in full force. I can only imagine how intense it's going to be once the regular season starts Please guys, no suicides just yet, save it for the next time we lose in the SCF
- bezz44

What have you heard, what do you know?

What have you heard, what do you know?
- hillbillydeluxe

I didn't say it was going to be anytime soon

I didn't say it was going to be anytime soon
- bezz44

Crazy sources on these boards.

One pre-season loss.

Take it easy boys.

P.S, Bonino was playing a fourth line role, so long as he isn't responsible for goals against being "invisible" is OK.
- Whiskey-Tango

It's Tuesday

Matthias, Sbisa, Burrows and Bonino all had disappointing games last night, it's only one pre-season game but Burrows looks like he's lost a step. Sbisa to me really lacks puckhandling skills and good hockey sense. Bonino needs to play with a legit finisher, I'd rather see Vrbata on his line at 5v5. I could also see a guy like Jensen fitting with Bonino/Vey/Henrik, he needs to play with a playmaker.

Matthias I was never that high on to begin with, IMO he's a 4th line talent, but his lack of physicality is gonna frustrate some people, especially for his size. And I definitely think he has that Dale Weise mentality, worked his ass off when he first got here no matter what line/role it was but over time the hustle/energy fades a bit when he thinks he's better than he really is and wants more ice time.

Playing fantasy hockey GM and taking into account what Willie D's system is all about, this type of lineup would be intriguing:

Daniel - Henrik - Jensen
Shinkaruk/Vey - Bonino - Vrbata
Shinkaruk/Vey - Horvat - Kassian
Dorsett - Richardson - Hansen
Matthias

Higgins and Burrows are not good fits for this system IMO. They fit much better in the dump/chase, cycle style than a north-south, generate chances with speed off of the rush and use creativity type of system. I'd rather see lines 2-4 be more speed-based.


Never gonna happen, but that would be a fun group to watch offensively IMO. The 4th line would get most of the defensive burden but has the speed to counter-attack for sure.

One pre-season loss.

Take it easy boys.

P.S, Bonino was playing a fourth line role, so long as he isn't responsible for goals against being "invisible" is OK.
- Whiskey-Tango

Its not the pre-season loss, this is the closest to an NHL level opponent and this team still cannot generate offense. I can understand why you thought Bonino was playing a 4th line role but the only forwards with more ice time than him were Sedin ,Sedin, Vrbata. I am fine with Bonino as a 3C or complementary winger in the top 6, I have an issue with him being billed as a replacement 2C or even worse as some suggest, an upgrade.

From the comments I can see bipolar Tuesday is in full force. I can only imagine how intense it's going to be once the regular season starts Please guys, no suicides just yet, save it for the next time we lose in the SCF
- bezz44

Honestly, outside of Burrows still looking a step behind, nothing surprised me much from yesterday's game. I had some hope maybe he'd regain that step back after being banged up last year, but it doesn't look like it.

Matthias, Sbisa, Burrows and Bonino all had disappointing games last night, it's only one pre-season game but Burrows looks like he's lost a step. Sbisa to me really lacks puckhandling skills and good hockey sense. Bonino needs to play with a legit finisher, I'd rather see Vrbata on his line at 5v5. I could also see a guy like Jensen fitting with Bonino/Vey/Henrik, he needs to play with a playmaker.

Matthias I was never that high on to begin with, IMO he's a 4th line talent, but his lack of physicality is gonna frustrate some people, especially for his size. And I definitely think he has that Dale Weise mentality, worked his ass off when he first got here no matter what line/role it was but over time the hustle/energy fades a bit when he thinks he's better than he really is and wants more ice time.

Playing fantasy hockey GM and taking into account what Willie D's system is all about, this type of lineup would be intriguing:

Daniel - Henrik - Jensen
Shinkaruk/Vey - Bonino - Vrbata
Shinkaruk/Vey - Horvat - Kassian
Dorsett - Richardson - Hansen
Matthias

Higgins and Burrows are not good fits for this system IMO. They fit much better in the dump/chase, cycle style than a north-south, generate chances with speed off of the rush and use creativity type of system. I'd rather see lines 2-4 be more speed-based.


Never gonna happen, but that would be a fun group to watch offensively IMO. The 4th line would get most of the defensive burden but has the speed to counter-attack for sure.
- Nucker101

I agree that Bonino would benefit greatly from playing with Vrbata. Also agree about Matthias. I can't say I agree about Higgins and Burrows as I think they will be effective in whatever role they are placed, don't forget Burrows cut his teeth in this league using his tenacity and determination, I can understand being snake bitten or losing a step but he doesn't strike me as someone who knows how to give up.

From the comments I can see bipolar Tuesday is in full force. I can only imagine how intense it's going to be once the regular season starts Please guys, no suicides just yet, save it for the next time we lose in the SCF
- bezz44

This guy is stealing my schtick....




(frank)in' chum guzzling bi-polars......

I agree that Bonino would benefit greatly from playing with Vrbata. Also agree about Matthias. I can't say I agree about Higgins and Burrows as I think they will be effective in whatever role they are placed, don't forget Burrows cut his teeth in this league using his tenacity and determination, I can understand being snake bitten or losing a step but he doesn't strike me as someone who knows how to give up.
- belcherbd

Yeah, it was more of a fantasy scenario, but something I'm secretly hoping for at the TDL.

I agree that both are solid veterans that work hard, but you need to get your coach the right players for his system, even if it means moving players who are quality players.

This guy is stealing my schtick....




(frank)in' chum guzzling bi-polars......
- chompsey

I stole nothing I think bloated or steaming coined named Tuesdays in your honour
Edit: ah maybe it was Marwood?

This guy is stealing my schtick....




(frank)in' chum guzzling bi-polars......
- chompsey

We've honour your living legend status by proclaiming Tuesdays as 'Bi-polarTuesday'.

Keep on keeping on, our angry, bitter friend!

Matthias, Sbisa, Burrows and Bonino all had disappointing games last night, it's only one pre-season game but Burrows looks like he's lost a step. Sbisa to me really lacks puckhandling skills and good hockey sense. Bonino needs to play with a legit finisher, I'd rather see Vrbata on his line at 5v5. I could also see a guy like Jensen fitting with Bonino/Vey/Henrik, he needs to play with a playmaker.

Matthias I was never that high on to begin with, IMO he's a 4th line talent, but his lack of physicality is gonna frustrate some people, especially for his size. And I definitely think he has that Dale Weise mentality, worked his ass off when he first got here no matter what line/role it was but over time the hustle/energy fades a bit when he thinks he's better than he really is and wants more ice time.

Playing fantasy hockey GM and taking into account what Willie D's system is all about, this type of lineup would be intriguing:

Daniel - Henrik - Jensen
Shinkaruk/Vey - Bonino - Vrbata
Shinkaruk/Vey - Horvat - Kassian
Dorsett - Richardson - Hansen
Matthias

Higgins and Burrows are not good fits for this system IMO. They fit much better in the dump/chase, cycle style than a north-south, generate chances with speed off of the rush and use creativity type of system. I'd rather see lines 2-4 be more speed-based.


Never gonna happen, but that would be a fun group to watch offensively IMO. The 4th line would get most of the defensive burden but has the speed to counter-attack for sure.
- Nucker101

I couldn't agree more about Sbisa. His puck handling reminds me of myself, which, believe me, is not a good thing. He hits like a (frank)ing train though

Honestly, outside of Burrows still looking a step behind, nothing surprised me much from yesterday's game. I had some hope maybe he'd regain that step back after being banged up last year, but it doesn't look like it.
- Nucker101

To me Burr looks the same as he did last year. Just underwhelming on the whole. (frank)ing stoked on the kid line though and I thought Horvat played like he had a fire under his ass more than we've seen from him. I have been waiting for him to forecheck like that

I couldn't agree more about Sbisa. His puck handling reminds me of myself, which, believe me, is not a good thing. He hits like a (frank)ing train though
- bezz44

Yeah, it's nice having a physical presence on the blue line that's also willing to drop the gloves, but he needs to settle his play down with the puck or he's gonna become the fan's whipping boy quickly.

From the comments I can see bipolar Tuesday is in full force. I can only imagine how intense it's going to be once the regular season starts Please guys, no suicides just yet, save it for the next time we lose in the SCF
- bezz44

Those Sedins are terrific

To me Burr looks the same as he did last year. Just underwhelming on the whole. (frank)ing stoked on the kid line though and I thought Horvat played like he had a fire under his ass more than we've seen from him. I have been waiting for him to forecheck like that
- bezz44

Horvat is definitely convincing me that he belongs in the NHL, looked solid last night and has been getting better and more comfortable as the pre-season has gone on. It's why I was telling the bipolars to relax during the rookie tournament, the play in those games is too scrambly and there's way too many future ECHL'ers out there plus guys like Horvat and Shinkaruk knew they were going to the main camp anyway.