We are what 32 games in? How much longer are you waiting for this so called consistency thing to show up?
- RustyPipes

MacDonald rushed back from injury to play and that was a mistake. He needs to get better and I believe he will. The entire team has been inconsistent for 32 games. MacDonald has only played 17 games.

Honestly whether he is injured or not, he shouldn't be playing if that is what he offers every game. The organization has other options, but I'm sure that the new GM and new coach will figure this out.
- RustyPipes

I disagree. He may be overpaid, but that has no bearing what he brings to the ice. If he can be a dependable top-6 defenseman, which he has shown he can be when used properly, he definitely belongs in the lineup.

I think Hagg is having a quietly solid year.
When you say his is unnoticeable I am okay with that for a 4/5/6 type dman.
I like that he has some snarl to him also.
- opeth_pa

100%, for a guy like him noticeable is a good thing. He did his job, we don't need him to score 10 goals a season, we have other guys we look to for that.

Do you think Gostisbehere and Provorov thrived last season?
- MJL

Yes, especially Ghost on the powerplay. Provorov clearly has his own issues this year but i'd like to say hes coming around. What does this have to do with anything?

He simply fanned on a cross ice D to D pass. No real harm. MacDonald played well last night.
- MJL

If that is all you saw last night of his performance, well...I don't know what to say. I used to think highly of your prowess.

Yes, especially Ghost on the powerplay. Provorov clearly has his own issues this year but i'd like to say hes coming around. What does this have to do with anything?
- ClaudeFather

It has to do with your narrative that the defenseman were told to be aggressive last night and that they previously were shackled offensively under Hakstol.

If that is all you saw last night of his performance, well...I don't know what to say. I used to think highly of your prowess.
- RustyPipes

Well I stand corrected!

Well I stand corrected!

- MJL

I disagree. He may be overpaid, but that has no bearing what he brings to the ice. If he can be a dependable top-6 defenseman, which he has shown he can be when used properly, he definitely belongs in the lineup.
- jmatchett383

You know, maybe I'm wrong and I am over-reacting, but when I look at the players I don't care what their salary is. I just want the best players on the ice.

It has to do with your narrative that the defenseman were told to be aggressive last night and that they previously were shackled offensively under Hakstol.
- MJL

If you watched last nights game and didn't notice the D more active up ice then you have issues. Go watch a game from earlier in the year or last year and count how many times a Dman carried the puck across the redline, blue line, into the O zone compared to last night. Those two guys points have nothing to do with my narrative, its facts, open those eyes and take that vader mask off my man. You Blind.

Varone sent down smh, here comes Tarsenko???? Haha

I disagree. He may be overpaid, but that has no bearing what he brings to the ice. If he can be a dependable top-6 defenseman, which he has shown he can be when used properly, he definitely belongs in the lineup.
- jmatchett383

Regardless of the season performance thus far, AMac was bad last night. He was also on the ice in the final minute which, based on game performance, should not have happened.

I agree that he is a solid option when healthy or in his groove. Last night was not a good game for him.

Ignoring 12 percent of the games coached to arrive at the number stated. Saying winning percentage to describe what your talking about. Arguing against being corrected by multiple other people in several different posts. And now you say that is what you meant? OK

Having my opinions arrogantly dismissed by someone who just learned what a billet family is today. Funny.

Having someone state that he will ignore his policy for one post and give evidence to back up opinion. Wow

This sure is a strange place.

If you watched last nights game and didn't notice the D more active up ice then you have issues. Go watch a game from earlier in the year or last year and count how many times a Dman carried the puck across the redline, blue line, into the O zone compared to last night. Those two guys points have nothing to do with my narrative, its facts, open those eyes and take that vader mask off my man. You Blind.
- ClaudeFather

You aren't offering any facts and are just believing what you want to believe. Last season Gostisbehere put up career high numbers offensively and was 4th overall in defensive scoring. Provorov led all NHL defenseman in ES goals and total goals. He had numerous plays where he scored off the rush and multiple plays where he scored from the goal mouth at the net. We also have Gostisbehere's performance when he first came up and scored 17 goals. I can also provide numerous quotes from Hakstol and what his expectations are of how he wants defenseman to play aggressively in the NHL. Recently we have Travis Sanheim scoring on the rush at the net under Hakstol.

The reality is that the narrative that Hakstol shackled defenseman offensively is complete bullpoop.

You know, maybe I'm wrong and I am over-reacting, but when I look at the players I don't care what their salary is. I just want the best players on the ice.
- RustyPipes

And if he can play like he did last season, AMac is one of their best 6 defensemen. He hasn't been playing that way consistently this year, but if it's between him and Folin, and if they Myers to get more consistent in the AHL, then AMac is the easy choice.

Regardless of the season performance thus far, AMac was bad last night. He was also on the ice in the final minute which, based on game performance, should not have happened.

I agree that he is a solid option when healthy or in his groove. Last night was not a good game for him.
- cdearth23

He definitely had a number of gaffes last night. Right now, his puck retrieval and transition skills are sticking out to me that most.

You aren't offering any facts and are just believing what you want to believe. Last season Gostisbehere put up career high numbers offensively and was 4th overall in defensive scoring. Provorov led all NHL defenseman in ES goals and total goals. He had numerous plays where he scored off the rush and multiple plays where he scored from the goal mouth at the net. We also have Gostisbehere's performance when he first came up and scored 17 goals. I can also provide numerous quotes from Hakstol and what his expectations are of how he wants defenseman to play aggressively in the NHL. Recently we have Travis Sanheim scoring on the rush at the net under Hakstol.

The reality is that the narrative that Hakstol shackled defenseman offensively is complete bullpoop.
- MJL

Dude if you can send me a site where i can look up zone entries by Dman or some crazy advanced stats i will dig deep for you. The dmen were way more active up ice. Also how do you know Ghost won't have 70 points under Gordon's style? You are comparing last years full year stats to one game where it was evident the Dmen were up ice more, and it doesn't always translate to points. You could be up ice and have chances and they might not go in. But lets check the stats, two Dmen did have goals. One off a rush right in front and one off a semi rush from the tops of the circles.

If you watched last nights game and didn't notice the D more active up ice then you have issues. Go watch a game from earlier in the year or last year and count how many times a Dman carried the puck across the redline, blue line, into the O zone compared to last night. Those two guys points have nothing to do with my narrative, its facts, open those eyes and take that vader mask off my man. You Blind.
- ClaudeFather

So how do you explain Ghost and Provorov's numbers last season, not to mention Ghost's numbers 3 years ago? How do you explain Sanheim joining the rush more consistently over the past few weeks?

I have a lot of criticisms of Hakstol, but keeping the D inactive offensively is not one of them.

Varone sent down

Dude if you can send me a site where i can look up zone entries by Dman or some crazy advanced stats i will dig deep for you. The dmen were way more active up ice. Also how do you know Ghost won't have 70 points under Gordon's style? You are comparing last years full year stats to one game where it was evident the Dmen were up ice more, and it doesn't always translate to points. You could be up ice and have chances and they might not go in. But lets check the stats, two Dmen did have goals. One off a rush right in front and one off a semi rush from the tops of the circles.
- ClaudeFather

Where did I say that Gostisbehere won't have 70 points under Gordon's style? It is you that is using the small sample size of one game. I'm using full seasons and more of a sample size to show how stating that defenseman were restricted under Hakstol is false. The entire team played better last night than they have been.

You aren't offering anything but innuendo. You aren't offering any facts. You just repeatedly decide to challenge my opinions, which is fine. I look forward to it but it's time to step up and offer some actual evidence. You haven't done so.

So how do you explain Ghost and Provorov's numbers last season, not to mention Ghost's numbers 3 years ago? How do you explain Sanheim joining the rush more consistently over the past few weeks?

I have a lot of criticisms of Hakstol, but keeping the D inactive offensively is not one of them.
- jmatchett383

They were more active tonight than other nights this year. All three of our offensive D-men had good games and were up ice all night. Is that not what you saw? Ghost thrived on the PP last year, yes Provy had a good year but what does that have to do with the Dmen more active last night?

Varone sent down
- bulet13

Wonder if they made a small move to pick up a checking center?

Circular argument over Hak gives way to circular argument over Amac.

Never change HB.

Where did I say that Gostisbehere won't have 70 points under Gordon's style? It is you that is using the small sample size of one game. I'm using full seasons and more of a sample size to show how stating that defenseman were restricted under Hakstol is false. The entire team played better last night than they have been.

You aren't offering anything but innuendo. You aren't offering any facts. You just repeatedly decide to challenge my opinions, which is fine. I look forward to it but it's time to step up and offer some actual evidence. You haven't done so.
- MJL

I saw the Dmen more active than prior games/years. I guess i was wrong.

I saw the Dmen more active than prior games/years. I guess i was wrong.
- ClaudeFather

I think what you saw is what we all saw. A better effort from the entire team in playing a more rounded team game. Playing more consistently in the game with better intensity.

You made this comment earlier.

"Can we demote you from the comment section haha. I'm all for back and forth but it's painful to see someone stick to their opinion when they are dead wrong."

What I'm seeing is that you can't back that up.