You brought up the point. Brind'Amour and Richards were too penalty killers that often saw there share of starting the PK in the defensive zone. If the other team for example were on the two man advantage, last season Bellemare regardless of what has the opposing face off man normally starts in the defensive zone in that situation. Why over Couturier?
- SuperSchennBros

I think you may have replied to the wrong post originally.

If they didnt sign Gordon theyd have 592 players which is a nice even number....just another reason!

LET'S GO FLYERS!!! CLAP! ~ CLAP! ~ CLAP!CLAP!CLAP!!!



LET'S GO FLYERS!!! CLAP! ~ CLAP! ~ CLAP!CLAP!CLAP!!!



LET'S GO FLYERS!!! CLAP! ~ CLAP! ~ CLAP!CLAP!CLAP!!!

doomed
- SnipeDevil6

Don't be so pessimistic. The Devils will be fine this year, although no one will be at the home games to witness it.

Along with being in Chicago which gave them last change and the ability to see Provorov out there having a bad game so every time he hit the ice you put Kane's line out.

Recipe for an ugly game.
- dragonoffrost

Very good point. I liked seeing G (and I'm sure the other vets and Hak) support him.

The defense was a mess for one game, as a whole, and that involved a 19 year old having a bad game that is bound to happen on occasion. Part of the growing pains in developing a player that young at the NHL level.
- MJL

Defense was directly responsible for 2 goals against Arizona.

If Prov were to get sent down can he go to the Phantoms or does he have to go back to Brandon?

Totally agree. This is what you sign up for when you have a 19 YO defenseman on the team.

It reminds me of a young pitcher who gets lit up in his 3rd start. You want to see how they come out and respond next time.

Ideally, an athlete playing at the highest level is equipped to handle rough outings.
- johndewar

Yeah, it's a tough situation for vets and kids alike, with all the injuries. Losing Raffl is another blow.

Provorov gonna be OK.

Simple as Coaches decision. He has a player he prefers out there in that situation so he uses that player.

Coots and G getting less PK time is probably a plan so that they are fresher for the PP and ES.
- dragonoffrost

This was covered in my original post.

If Prov were to get sent down can he go to the Phantoms or does he have to go back to Brandon?
- all-pgh

It's either the NHL or juniors. No AHL.

Totally agree. This is what you sign up for when you have a 19 YO defenseman on the team.

It reminds me of a young pitcher who gets lit up in his 3rd start. You want to see how they come out and respond next time.

Ideally, an athlete playing at the highest level is equipped to handle rough outings.
- johndewar

Yeah, I'm sure that he is but he also may not have experienced this much adversity in the game for a long time and certainly not on this stage. Just have to make sure he's supported. He seems like a very balanced kid who will prob come out and score his first career goal tonight.

It's either the NHL or juniors. No AHL.
- jmatchett383

That's really the pickle we're in here. Too good for junior so he needs to be challenged here and learn.

Very good point. I liked seeing G (and I'm sure the other vets and Hak) support him.
- Hextall271

I'm sure Vandevelde gave him a pep talk.

"Look kid, I don't even know how I'm still here. I mean, I was a cast-off on a terrible Edmonton team, and I've been able to hold down an NHL job despite not really being all that good. I wouldn't worry about being benched or demoted any time soon if I were you."

If Prov were to get sent down can he go to the Phantoms or does he have to go back to Brandon?
- all-pgh

Back to the Wheaties. Provy is 19 YO and can't go to the AHL.

I'm sure Vandevelde gave him a pep talk.

"Look kid, I don't even know how I'm still here. I mean, I was a cast-off on a terrible Edmonton team, and I've been able to hold down an NHL job despite not really being all that good. I wouldn't worry about being benched or demoted any time soon if I were you."
- jmatchett383

"Just to be safe, Ivan, try to wear this hat around coach as much as possible."

Big, if true
- johndewar

joking around

Don't be so pessimistic. The Devils will be fine this year, although no one will be at the home games to witness it.
- Hextall271

I see what you did there.

"Just to be safe, Ivan, try to wear this hat around coach as much as possible."


- johndewar

That's really the pickle we're in here. Too good for junior so he needs to be challenged here and learn.
- Hextall271

Yeah, wouldn't want to Daniel Sprong him

I see what you did there.
- SnipeDevil6

One game one sell out. That's gotta be some kind of a record.

I think you may have replied to the wrong post originally.
- jmatchett383

No, the counter from MJL was of being aware of what side of the ice in the defensive zone that the face off would be taking place. I understanding that you want a right handed stick at the right face off dot and a left handed stick at the left face off dot to win on the backhand away from the goalie if possible. The argument by some including myself is why Couturier rarely started, while past gifted defensive centers with the same stick hand did pretty much the same that Coots is bring kept from. The first thing I pointed out was probably because he plays within the top two lines.

This was covered in my original post.
- SuperSchennBros

And it's really as simple as this is why Coots doesn't start those PK's. Just because you are hunting for a different answer doesn't mean there is one.

Have they tried Read on Giroux's line? Maybe have him there and Schenn on the third line.

Yeah, wouldn't want to Daniel Sprong him
- YuenglingJagr

Yeah they really dropped the ball on the Sprong situation. Defenseman is a little tougher for a 19 yr old to grow in to. You don't want to mess him up between the ears if he's not ready either. The whole AHL, WHL CHL relationship is a little messed up.

Who knew the rookie wall was only 3 games in?