Start here today...
On the KILLER Islanders...
Hey, don't look now but the Isles, the team everyone counted out when JT left for Toronto, is killing. They just swept the Penguins in a home and home series and are now 5-0 versus teams in the Metro...And they aren't really scoring that well 5 v 5 right now...But just watch them the next time they are on. They are playing fast and relentless hockey for Barry Trotz...they really remind me of some of Trotz' early Preds teams. You couldn't help but love watching them play and they were always fun to pull for.
The Flyers and Wayne Simmonds...
When Hextall signed JVR this past summer many believed he would be taking the role of Simmonds whose contract expires at the end of the year...While on the scoresheet this may indeed prove possible, it is very hard to quantify the importance of Wayne Simmonds in that Flyers locker room and the attitude he brings to the rink.
Every one of us has been on a team at some point and knows how there are certain people who just make the room work. Players who balance out the many varied personalities and who are more noticeable in their absence than you would expect given their abilities. Wayne Simmonds is THAT guy for this Flyers team.
And of course his abilities aren't exactly bad either. He is a clutch scorer and a leader...If not signing Simmonds was in the plans when JVR was signed I am getting the impression there may be a plan B of sorts at this point...Simmonds is pretty much indispensable.
On the Blues...
They looked great last night and they are getting healthy...The Blues could really explode onto the scene in November. Too much talent and desire to stay in the pack...
On the Mike Smith Rumor...
The Panthers need help in goal and it is currently killing what would otherwise be a serious divisional contender...Luongo is slated to come back as early as this next game, but they have really gotten nothing out of his backups. Mike Smith, who plays very similar style game to Luongo, may be the option if Luongo goes down again due to injury...I was told it is VERY much in the conversation...
More to come...
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— Michael Augello (@MikeInBuffalo) August 2, 2017