Ed Stein: Carlyle Does the Shuffle in Buffalo

I noticed a lot of different D pairings last game.

Fowler-Bieksa
Lindholm-Montour
Theo-Manson

I like Theo and Manson together. Theo's confidence had to have taken a hit with 10+ demotions this year, so letting him play with Manson rather than the absolute liability that is Bieksa is a good thing, although it's also just damage control for mishandling the kid for so long.

time for Correy to start heating up!

I noticed a lot of different D pairings last game.

Fowler-Bieksa
Lindholm-Montour
Theo-Manson

I like Theo and Manson together. Theo's confidence had to have taken a hit with 10+ demotions this year, so letting him play with Manson rather than the absolute liability that is Bieksa is a good thing, although it's also just damage control for mishandling the kid for so long.
- gtrman09

First, Theodore moving up and down saved enough cap space so Nate Thompson could be activated without having to trade someone. Second, what the hell is the big deal about driving from OC to San Diego? It's a nice drive and if you time it right you can make it in an hour. If he was flying back and forth from Norfolk I could see your point.

First, Theodore moving up and down saved enough cap space so Nate Thompson could be activated without having to trade someone. Second, what the hell is the big deal about driving from OC to San Diego? It's a nice drive and if you time it right you can make it in an hour. If he was flying back and forth from Norfolk I could see your point.
- duxcup07

With or without traffic?

Both Montour and Theodore have been bringing the offensive urgency that's been lacking. Could a trade be being foreshadowed with the line changes and the emergence of the young guns? IDK. No matter what, the time is now to start homing in on the opening night's playoff roster.

One more period to play!

Well that worked out pretty well - CP with 2 goals holy smokes - the doomsday clock must have moved 30 seconds closer to midnight -
Montour looking better and better - and that line of AV with Silf and Getz even had some nice moments - and RR looks so good in the middle - him on the wing is a waste - he is so good with the puck on his stick - and even the D pairings looked ok - on to the caps -

First, Theodore moving up and down saved enough cap space so Nate Thompson could be activated without having to trade someone. Second, what the hell is the big deal about driving from OC to San Diego? It's a nice drive and if you time it right you can make it in an hour. If he was flying back and forth from Norfolk I could see your point.
- duxcup07

I understand the cap space aspect, and it's not the drive that I'm upset with. The kid is top 6 on 29 NHL teams, and the only reason he's not top 6 in Anaheim is awful planning and insistence on playing Bieksa. If not for the Despres injury, Theo still might not be getting NHL time. I think it's a crappy way to handle your best up and comers, and it seems to have rattled him a little bit in the inconsistent times that he has gotten into the lineup. He's only now starting to get some confidence again. Imagine everything that goes through your head when you get sent down 9 times even if they're all salary cap moves. Are other GMs gonna be as interested in you if you've got 9 demotions on your record? Are you even capable of earning a roster spot if it's all based on salaries? All conjecture of course, but Bob Murray has known about this logjam for years yet we still have blue chips being jerked around like this and Casual Kev hasn't been benched once.