Also, off-topic, but so happy that San Fransisco and Washington lost in the NLDS last night. Just hoping LA can wrap it up.

So he's basically a faceoff robot?
- jmatchett383

Kinda, sorta. But don't underestimate how important winning that first FO on the PK can be, especially if you can win it clean. It will often lead to an easy clear and quickly kill off the first 20-25 seconds of the pp.

Also, off-topic, but so happy that San Fransisco and Washington lost in the NLDS last night. Just hoping LA can wrap it up.
- jmatchett383

Loved what Utley did last night, I really want to see the Phillies west win it all.

I definitely get that, but I just mean I figured/hoped he was more of a Vandevelde replacement. He played top PK minutes in Arizona
- YuenglingJagr

That's not a ringing endorsement. Chris Pronger could play top PK minutes in Arizona. His mere presence is better than half of last year's team.

Also, off-topic, but so happy that San Fransisco and Washington lost in the NLDS last night. Just hoping LA can wrap it up.
- jmatchett383

I think the MLB would've creamed their proverbial pants if LA, Chicago, Toronto, and Boston were in the league finals

That's not a ringing endorsement. Chris Pronger could play top PK minutes in Arizona. His mere presence is better than half of last year's team.
- jmatchett383

I am not saying it is....I just find it confusing that his whole deal has been good at faceoffs, good at penalty kill.

Kinda, sorta. But don't underestimate how important winning that first FO on the PK can be, especially if you can win it clean. It will often lead to an easy clear and quickly kill off the first 20-25 seconds of the pp.
- BiggE

No, I get it. I just don't think that's worth a roster spot. If his sole responsibility is to win the faceoff, clear the puck, and then get off the ice, I'd rather have Ryan White, a guy who is good on faceoffs (not as good as Gordon, granted) and can find the odd goal from time to time.

I think the MLB would've creamed their proverbial pants if LA, Chicago, Toronto, and Boston were in the league finals
- YuenglingJagr

Well, I was happy when Boston got knocked out, but was hoping Texas moved on. But if LA wins, I'll take 3/4.

Bill, is Boyd Gordon really going to be a spare/faceoff guy on the PK? I figured he would be a top penalty killer
- YuenglingJagr

I'm wondering that myself.

I have a feeling that when he gets healthy they try to kick start laughton up there...
- jak521

I'm not sure Laughton has done enough to stay with the big club at this point, let alone warrant top 6 minutes.

That spot is Brayden Schenn's when he's done his suspension.

No, I get it. I just don't think that's worth a roster spot. If his sole responsibility is to win the faceoff, clear the puck, and then get off the ice, I'd rather have Ryan White, a guy who is good on faceoffs (not as good as Gordon, granted) and can find the odd goal from time to time.
- jmatchett383

Fair enough, though I expect that he will also replace Giroux as the guy who takes a D zone draw in the last minute of the period as well. I don't think Gordon will be here beyond this year, but I get the signing. THey needed to do something that would reduce the ridiculous amount of faceoffs that G had to take last year and also allow them to reduce the amount of time G has to spend on the PK. And, unlike White, Gordon rarely, if ever, takes bad penalties.

Well, I was happy when Boston got knocked out, but was hoping Texas moved on. But if LA wins, I'll take 3/4.
- jmatchett383

I dont think there are any teams I hate that were in it. I am most upset about Texas losing though. Most glad the Giants are out.

At this point there is just a variety of players I like and follow scattered on the remaining teams. Toronto probably has the most entertainment value though

No, I get it. I just don't think that's worth a roster spot. If his sole responsibility is to win the faceoff, clear the puck, and then get off the ice, I'd rather have Ryan White, a guy who is good on faceoffs (not as good as Gordon, granted) and can find the odd goal from time to time.
- jmatchett383

please take that back

Bill, is Boyd Gordon really going to be a spare/faceoff guy on the PK? I figured he would be a top penalty killer
- YuenglingJagr

Preseason SH TOI of forwards still on the roster (not counting split-squad games)

14 Couturier - 0:58, 4:58, 2:22, 1:49.
17 Simmonds - 2:23, 0:43, 2:40, 1:17.
21 Laughton - 2:53, 1:55.
24 Read - 3:47, 4:34, 1:26.
25 Gordon - 6:27, 3:36, 0:51, 3:15.
28 Giroux - 4:40, 0:42, 1:01.
60 Lyubimov - 2:08, 1:20, 1:19.
76 VdV - 3:27, 2:09, 3:04.
78 - Bellemare - 1:20, 4:08.

Well, I was happy when Boston got knocked out, but was hoping Texas moved on. But if LA wins, I'll take 3/4.
- jmatchett383

I am ecstatic that the Jays knocked out those punks from Texas, and that Stinky made the error that cost the game. Probably no team I hate more. Not crying that Boston is out. I want to see my Jays win it all, but even to make it to the dance and lose to the Cubs would be a successful year. They're a juggernaut.

Preseason SH TOI of forwards still on the roster (not counting split-squad games)

14 Couturier - 0:58, 4:58, 2:22, 1:49.
17 Simmonds - 2:23, 0:43, 2:40, 1:17.
21 Laughton - 2:53, 1:55.
24 Read - 3:47, 4:34, 1:26.
25 Gordon - 6:27, 3:36, 0:51, 3:15.
28 Giroux - 4:40, 0:42, 1:01.
60 Lyubimov - 2:08, 1:20, 1:19.
76 VdV - 3:27, 2:09, 3:04.
78 - Bellemare - 1:20, 4:08.
- Feanor

So you're saying....???

Laughton has a lot of work to do to leapfrog Raffl, and he'll have to do some of it in the AHL.

He would be there right now if he hadn't got hurt because Lyubimov took his roster spot.
- Feanor

I was trying to make all four lines at least have a threat to score and not be a time sink while on the ice. Sorry any combination of Bellemare/Gordon/VDV/Read/Lyubimov looks like it will be just a line that goes out and eats a minute then gets off the ice to me.

http://thehockeywriters.c...lie-prospects-in-the-nhl/

ttt

This is the narrative the beats have used. He had a solid preseason in the first few games where it was AHL/junior players. Then he regressed (besides PK work) to his typical level of play in the last few games, when the lineups moved more towards NHL lineups. He hasn't changed. He's the usual AMac, same as he has been his whole time here and before.
- Mononoke

Serious question - how do you watch the games, and how many do you watch?

Laughts gets healthy and the lines will probably become

Schenn-Giroux-Simmonds
Konecny-Couturier-Voracek
Laughton-Cousins-Weise
Bellemare-Gordon-Raffl
- dragonoffrost

Would rather see....

Schenn-Giroux-Simmonds
Konecny-Couturier-Voracek
Laughton-Cousins-Raffl
Read/Lyub-Bellemare-Weise

So, is everyone else happy that VDV gets to spend another season gifted an NHL spot.
- jmatchett383

Do you mean CV?

I so enjoyed the summer conversations about which one of Manning, Schultz, and AMac should be in our lineup. It was a pick your poison type thing, and the hope was none of them.

Now we get ALL of them!
- Mononoke

Even with Provorov in there, it could be worse than the group they started the season with last year, lol.

So you're saying....???
- YuenglingJagr

You can draw your own inferences based on the facts.

I've been critical of AMAC (more about his salary) in the past but he played well in the playoffs and had a very good camp...give credit when credit is due. hopefully he can carry the good play into the regular season. he will never be worth that contract but that doesn't mean he can't be a good contributor to the team