Dan Spiegel: Trocheck On The Outside Looking In; Grimaldi, Howden, Petrovic Shining

Dan Spiegel: Trocheck On The Outside Looking In; Grimaldi, Howden, Petrovic Shining
- spiegs13

Hoping for a big year from Bjugstad I got him on my bench in my pool

I spent many years coaching against Trocheck and Grimaldi. Those two have always been elite talents. I have no doubt that they'll find a home as NHL regulars.

An x-factor of sorts is going to be Kopecky. I don't think he's healthy and if that's the case we should see Howden start the season here with the big club. I am a huge fan of Howden and really hope he sticks. As for the 6th dman slot, you almost have to give it to O'brien.

An x-factor of sorts is going to be Kopecky. I don't think he's healthy and if that's the case we should see Howden start the season here with the big club. I am a huge fan of Howden and really hope he sticks. As for the 6th dman slot, you almost have to give it to O'brien.
- Panthers88

Honestly I agree O'Brien has earned a spot if he keeps it up awesome and if not send him to the AHL.

Howden is so much better then kopecky it's pretty sad. If you ask me right now the guy on the bottom of the list is him. Wish we could trade him and free up his cap space, but I guess the added depth is nice. Since we love injuries...

Honestly I agree O'Brien has earned a spot if he keeps it up awesome and if not send him to the AHL.

Howden is so much better then kopecky it's pretty sad. If you ask me right now the guy on the bottom of the list is him. Wish we could trade him and free up his cap space, but I guess the added depth is nice. Since we love injuries...
- Crazycaboose

A week before the season starts and we got 2 panther fans on this blog. Gotta love it. Hey Dan you're wasting your time here

A week before the season starts and we got 2 panther fans on this blog. Gotta love it. Hey Dan you're wasting your time here
- harveykline

Yes because Hockeybuzz blogs are the barometer for success in any way.

Anyways.. I gotta be honest with you guys. Ekblad isn't ready. He just isn't, in my opinion. Petrovic is out playing him. He is out of position a lot. Head still down.

EDIT: With that being said, Petrovic and Grimaldi not playing tonight probably means they both get sent down so Ekblad will stick for at least his first 9 games.

A week before the season starts and we got 2 panther fans on this blog. Gotta love it. Hey Dan you're wasting your time here
- harveykline

Don't start. We don't need that.

Yes because Hockeybuzz blogs are the barometer for success in any way.

Anyways.. I gotta be honest with you guys. Ekblad isn't ready. He just isn't, in my opinion. Petrovic is out playing him. He is out of position a lot. Head still down.

EDIT: With that being said, Petrovic and Grimaldi not playing tonight probably means they both get sent down so Ekblad will stick for at least his first 9 games.
- Panthers88

Weren't you the one barking that he was a "shoe-in"? At least half of the hockey talking-heads said he wasn't ready. Don't rush him. He has to at the very least keep his head up.

Weren't you the one barking that he was a "shoe-in"? At least half of the hockey talking-heads said he wasn't ready. Don't rush him. He has to at the very least keep his head up.
- PanthersGoal

Sending him back to juniors is not a option. Playing with boys does him no good. If we could send him the minors that would work, but we can't. playing with men. He needs to stay with the big club as the 5/6 dman getting 12-15 mins a game for at least half the season

Weren't you the one barking that he was a "shoe-in"? At least half of the hockey talking-heads said he wasn't ready. Don't rush him. He has to at the very least keep his head up.
- PanthersGoal

With no other options we almost don't have a choice. And with Petrovic and Weegar sent down today I think we'll see him in the line up for sure. People, like me, can SAY whatever they want to. I hadn't seen him play or watched tape. Now that I have I have a few concerns.

Sending him back to juniors is not a option. Playing with boys does him no good. If we could send him the minors that would work, but we can't. playing with men. He needs to stay with the big club as the 5/6 dman getting 12-15 mins a game for at least half the season
- harveykline

He had 24 mins last night.

Assuming Flieschman, Kopecky, Bergenheim, and Upshall do not come back after this season.....

Jokinen-Barkov-X
Huberdeau-Bjugstad-Boyes
X-Bolland-X
X-MacKenzie-Thornton

Those would be the forwards. The questions is do you go after anyone elite for that top line spot and then fill in with guys like Howden and Trocheck? I think both of those kids are NHLers after this season for sure. There really isn't anyone eye popping as far as free agents after this season. Freakin' Bobby Ryan...

Also, I think Huberdeau really steps up this season. He has to have a 20 goal season at minimum.

With no other options we almost don't have a choice. And with Petrovic and Weegar sent down today I think we'll see him in the line up for sure. People, like me, can SAY whatever they want to. I hadn't seen him play or watched tape. Now that I have I have a few concerns.
- Panthers88

If you ask me he is the least of our concerns. He does need to work on things that's for sure, but he is adjusting to the NHL level it takes some time. As you said yourself he played a lot of mins out there and we had more shots On their net then they had on us when he was out there.

That's not to bad with 24 mins played when you look at how bad we were getting out shot.

Assuming Flieschman, Kopecky, Bergenheim, and Upshall do not come back after this season.....

Jokinen-Barkov-X
Huberdeau-Bjugstad-Boyes
X-Bolland-X
X-MacKenzie-Thornton

Those would be the forwards. The questions is do you go after anyone elite for that top line spot and then fill in with guys like Howden and Trocheck? I think both of those kids are NHLers after this season for sure. There really isn't anyone eye popping as far as free agents after this season. Freakin' Bobby Ryan...

Also, I think Huberdeau really steps up this season. He has to have a 20 goal season at minimum.
- Panthers88

So far I really think huby is going to get the top spot with Barkov. I really am not seeing any chemistry between Barkov and Jokinen. So I wouldn't mind switching the two of them to start.

Either that and go crazy and try Pirri out with Barkov!
Though I wouldn't do that myself.

So far I really think huby is going to get the top spot with Barkov. I really am not seeing any chemistry between Barkov and Jokinen. So I wouldn't mind switching the two of them to start.
- Crazycaboose

The first line everyone seems to think is going to be set is Jokinen-Barkov-Fleischman. Huberdeau has great chemistry with Bjugstad so that's where I think he'll stay.

If you ask me he is the least of our concerns. He does need to work on things that's for sure, but he is adjusting to the NHL level it takes some time. As you said yourself he played a lot of mins out there and we had more shots On their net then they had on us when he was out there.

That's not to bad with 24 mins played when you look at how bad we were getting out shot.
- Crazycaboose

There was actually 18 shots FOR us while he was on the ice and only 14 AGAINST. He settled down as the game went on.

If you ask me he is the least of our concerns. He does need to work on things that's for sure, but he is adjusting to the NHL level it takes some time. As you said yourself he played a lot of mins out there and we had more shots On their net then they had on us when he was out there.

That's not to bad with 24 mins played when you look at how bad we were getting out shot.
- Crazycaboose

He got 24 mins because kulikov got hurt ely in the 1st period

Assuming Flieschman, Kopecky, Bergenheim, and Upshall do not come back after this season.....

Jokinen-Barkov-X
Huberdeau-Bjugstad-Boyes
X-Bolland-X
X-MacKenzie-Thornton

Those would be the forwards. The questions is do you go after anyone elite for that top line spot and then fill in with guys like Howden and Trocheck? I think both of those kids are NHLers after this season for sure. There really isn't anyone eye popping as far as free agents after this season. Freakin' Bobby Ryan...

Also, I think Huberdeau really steps up this season. He has to have a 20 goal season at minimum.
- Panthers88

Unfortunately I don't think we will see any trades of those 4 until the deadline this year

He got 24 mins because kulikov got hurt ely in the 1st period
- harveykline

I didn't say he got 24 minutes because he was good... I said he got 24 minutes. And he played well the second half of the game.

There was actually 18 shots FOR us while he was on the ice and only 14 AGAINST. He settled down as the game went on.
- Panthers88

Exactly, I think a lot of it is nerves with him right now. There is a lot of pressure for him to come in right away, and make a big impact right out the gate. I think he will really start to settle in about 10-15 games into the season.

I do agree he could use some time in the AHL, but we already know he can't. He's just too good for the CHL it's just not gonna help him grow enough. Better to leave him in the NHL, but that's just my opinion so take it for what it's worth.

Unfortunately I don't think we will see any trades of those 4 until the deadline this year
- harveykline

Wasn't mentioning trades. But if we do trade them it will probably be at the deadline if we've fallen out of the playoff race, yes.

Exactly, I think a lot of it is nerves with him right now. There is a lot of pressure for him to come in right away, and make a big impact right out the gate. I think he will really start to settle in about 10-15 games into the season.

I do agree he could use some time in the AHL, but we already know he can't. He's just too good for the CHL it's just not gonna help him grow enough. Better to leave him in the NHL, but that's just my opinion so take it for what it's worth.
- Crazycaboose

Has to be NHL imo.

Still 22 on the roster, not counting Ekblad and Shane obrien