To me, a lot of the problem lays at the hands of Toews. Outside of the appearance ( to me), and some of his comments that he does not like ( respect Colliton), why does Colliton keep changing lines? It is to get his #1 center averaging .5 points per game, is 156th in scoring going. Starts on a line with Kane, (actually Kane started slowly playing with Toews), try ADB with him, Saad has proven plays well lower in the line up, but have him now with Toews to see if that gets Johnny going. Maybe Colliton should play KANE,s line as #1, have Dach, Nylander play together to see if they can build chemistry (looking for next year and beyond) and play Toews as a #3 with whomever.

Also, Toews is no longer playing like an elite defensive center. This is a build on the fly year. Since Dach is up for the year, start giving him top 6 minutes, and give Toews 15 minutes a game, he is female doging about JC anyway. Make him earn top 6 minutes. If it was anybody not named Toews, that is what would happen with any other player.

Did I meet you at a Hawk game maybe 5ish yrs ago on the smoke deck? I was wearing a white Angotti jersey and you asked if I was an Angotti, that you were. I told you no, just a fan of Lou's.

Yes to all of your post especially Seabs. Paired with de Haan he's a totally different player. I'd add I can't even remember Keith playing so well. Most every shift I find myself saying nice, 2-3 times a shift. And what can be said about the goaltending? What's better is 27 yr old Lehner should be the goalie for 5 more yrs........

Sure the bottom 6 has been lite on the scoresheet but Good God it's a 1,000% improvement over last yrs bottom 6, and they play physical, and the team has legit centers 4 deep, and fans haven't had a rookie to get excited about with Dach since Kane and Johnny, and the addition of legit NHL Dmen in Maata and de Haan are huge improvements over a Dahlstrom or Forsling, and most reasonably thought Boqvist would get overwhelmed in his callup but handled himself nicely.

And yes selfishly I loved the Saad-Kampf-Kubalik line. North-south man, take 10 SOG from everywhere as Kubalik did in a game this yr, go get the thing/rebound, people and pucks to the net and they create chances/havoc/breakdowns/momentum like the one Kubalik got robbed on yesterday. ....... I understand moving Saad up to get Johnny going but it ain't working, reunite that 3rd line that shuts down the opponents top line.

I mean they crushed in the fancies while taking on the opponents #1 line while outscoring it 3-1. I mean these are freakish stats on all counts: https://www.naturalstattr...7330&p3=8480144&p4=0&p5=0
- Mr Ricochet

I also agree also irt keeping those 2 lines together
maybe try Toews at wing with Dachs/Nylander
sure let Toews take the draws but otherwise let
him play wing, it worked for Giroux so why not
Toews.

I also agree also irt keeping those 2 lines together
maybe try Toews at wing with Dachs/Nylander
sure let Toews take the draws but otherwise let
him play wing, it worked for Giroux so why not
Toews.
- gazza53

Toews is hopeless.

Toews is hopeless.
- GlennL

The "core" is spent .

Dcat is on a 64 point pace, last yr had 76 points. Last yr had 24 PP points this yr on a pace for 14 PP points. If the PP was going at last yrs pace the difference in his PP last yr and PP this yr is 10 points, add those 10 points to his 64 point pace and he hits 74 points this yr, 2 points less than last yr. https://frozenpool.dobber...Pace&reportdata_length=30

Dcat oozes offensive IQ but does not create his own shot. His release is elite, his shot is very good and his feel (IQ) for scoring is damn near, if not, elite.
- Mr Ricochet

Last 2 seasons hit release was elite and his shot was very good.

This season he’s a completely different player. That amazing shot of his has vanished off the face of the earth. I can’t believe how poor his accuracy has been, and how many easy looks he’s whiffed on.

He’s been playing with Kane(5v5 and PP) while Kane is on fire and playing out of his mind...and STILL can’t score a single goal. Botching chance after chance after chance...

I’m very disappointed in what I’ve seen. If Alex DeBrincat isn’t scoring goals/cant shoot then overall he’s just an average player.

Last 2 seasons hit release was elite and his shot was very good.

This season he’s a completely different player. That amazing shot of his has vanished off the face of the earth. I can’t believe how poor his accuracy has been, and how many easy looks he’s whiffed on.

He’s been playing with Kane(5v5 and PP) while Kane is on fire and playing out of his mind...and STILL can’t score a single goal. Botching chance after chance after chance...

I’m very disappointed in what I’ve seen. If Alex DeBrincat isn’t scoring goals/cant shoot then overall he’s just an average player.
- SimpleJack

Before we give up on a 21 (emphasize that - 21) year old in only his third pro season, perhaps we should consider some things Lazarus commented on in The Atlantic this morning:

Sure, he had 10 goals at this point last season, but he had just one in a 13-game stretch between late October and mid-November, just like this stretch. He also had a six-game drought and a four-game drought over the course of the season. He did the bulk of his scoring in December, January and February, when he never went more than two games without a goal.
And as a rookie, when he scored 28 goals, he had a 13-game drought, an eight-game drought and two seven-game droughts. In fact, he had just one goal in his first 12 NHL games.
Eventually, he figures it out.

Adam Vingan
@AdamVingan

Viktor Arvidsson will miss 4-6 weeks as a result of the cross-checks he received from Robert Bortuzzo last night.

In case you didn't see the video:

https://twitter.com/kmart.../1198430144723128320?s=20

And a prior offense
https://twitter.com/AsTra.../1198445216350588928?s=20

As others have said for similar intent-to-injure penalties, Bortuzzo should be suspended until Arvidsson returns. Bortuzzo could break backs with this BS.

Adam Vingan
@AdamVingan

Viktor Arvidsson will miss 4-6 weeks as a result of the cross-checks he received from Robert Bortuzzo last night.

In case you didn't see the video:

https://twitter.com/kmart.../1198430144723128320?s=20

And a prior offense
https://twitter.com/AsTra.../1198445216350588928?s=20

As others have said for similar intent-to-injure penalties, Bortuzzo should be suspended until Arvidsson returns. Bortuzzo could break backs with this BS.
- pdx2ord

Suspended with no replacement to the Blues on-ice roster - make them skate only 17 for a couple of games. Penalize the team, really put the coach under pressure to control their players.

Those were TWO brutal hits.

Suspended with no replacement to the Blues on-ice roster - make them skate only 17 for a couple of games. Penalize the team, really put the coach under pressure to control their players.

Those were TWO brutal hits.
- StLBravesFan

PATHETIC

NHL Player Safety
@NHLPlayerSafety

St. Louis’ Robert Bortuzzo has been suspended for four games for Cross-checking Nashville’s Viktor Arvidsson.

Before we give up on a 21 (emphasize that - 21) year old in only his third pro season, perhaps we should consider some things Lazarus commented on in The Atlantic this morning:

Sure, he had 10 goals at this point last season, but he had just one in a 13-game stretch between late October and mid-November, just like this stretch. He also had a six-game drought and a four-game drought over the course of the season. He did the bulk of his scoring in December, January and February, when he never went more than two games without a goal.
And as a rookie, when he scored 28 goals, he had a 13-game drought, an eight-game drought and two seven-game droughts. In fact, he had just one goal in his first 12 NHL games.
Eventually, he figures it out.
- StLBravesFan

He’s never looked like this though. Maybe he’s had droughts with bad luck/getting robbed by great goaltending, but this is different. He’s not getting a solid release anymore, and he’s whiffing A LOT. And when he does get a shot off it’s WAY off target. And it’s not just his shot. He’s fumbling the puck around on his stick and can’t seem to make basic plays without coughing it up.

It’s like he literally forgot how to play. I’m not giving up on him yet, but if there’s no improvement and we’re sellers at the TDL I’d search for the right deal to swap him and Strome for some other young talents/elite prospects.

He’s never looked like this though. Maybe he’s had droughts with bad luck/getting robbed by great goaltending, but this is different. He’s not getting a solid release anymore, and he’s whiffing A LOT. And when he does get a shot off it’s WAY off target. And it’s not just his shot. He’s fumbling the puck around on his stick and can’t seem to make basic plays without coughing it up.

It’s like he literally forgot how to play. I’m not giving up on him yet, but if there’s no improvement and we’re sellers at the TDL I’d search for the right deal to swap him and Strome for some other young talents/elite prospects.
- SimpleJack

Especially since giving up on young players in a bit of a slump has worked out so well in the past.

For all your consternation about Dinky and even Strome, they have 18 and 17 points in 23 game respectively. You are incorrect in thinking those are not top 6 numbers.

I won't argue whether they can be better or not cause I agree with that premise. To think they are not top 6 players is completely wrong.

Adam Vingan
@AdamVingan

Viktor Arvidsson will miss 4-6 weeks as a result of the cross-checks he received from Robert Bortuzzo last night.

In case you didn't see the video:

https://twitter.com/kmart.../1198430144723128320?s=20

And a prior offense
https://twitter.com/AsTra.../1198445216350588928?s=20

As others have said for similar intent-to-injure penalties, Bortuzzo should be suspended until Arvidsson returns. Bortuzzo could break backs with this BS.
- pdx2ord

I am okay with this, Arvidssen is a dirty little bastard himself so he got some of what he hands out.

Especially since giving up on young players in a bit of a slump has worked out so well in the past.

For all your consternation about Dinky and even Strome, they have 18 and 17 points in 23 game respectively. You are incorrect in thinking those are not top 6 numbers.

I won't argue whether they can be better or not cause I agree with that premise. To think they are not top 6 players is completely wrong.
- Elbows15

They have those #s by pure chance. If Kubalik and Kampf were playing all those minutes with 88 they’d have the same #s. Excluding one game vs the LA Kings Cat and Strome have played like complete poop(given their standards) and haven’t produced on their own. They need Kane. And even with Kane they can’t score goals. At all.

What makes them top 6 caliber talents? Cats shot and Stromes passing. That’s it. So far this season those skills haven’t been there. So at this very moment they don’t look like top 6 talents. Kane deserves better. Dach should be playing with Kane. Make Cat-Strome a 3rd line until they remember how to play hockey.

They have those #s by pure chance. If Kubalik and Kampf were playing all those minutes with 88 they’d have the same #s. Excluding one game vs the LA Kings Cat and Strome have played like complete poop(given their standards) and haven’t produced on their own. They need Kane. And even with Kane they can’t score goals. At all.

What makes them top 6 caliber talents? Cats shot and Stromes passing. That’s it. So far this season those skills haven’t been there. So at this very moment they don’t look like top 6 talents. Kane deserves better. Dach should be playing with Kane. Make Cat-Strome a 3rd line until they remember how to play hockey.
- SimpleJack

You have just gone from being wrong to even more wrong. Dach isn't ready for the match-up that Kane has to face. Kane and Dach have been less than impressive together.

Seems pretty strange that Kane went on a scoring streak after being put with Strome and Dinky.

Two guys on 70+ point pace is complete poop, huh?

You have just gone from being wrong to even more wrong. Dach isn't ready for the match-up that Kane has to face. Kane and Dach have been less than impressive together.

Seems pretty strange that Kane went on a scoring streak after being put with Strome and Dinky.

Two guys on 70+ point pace is complete poop, huh?
- Elbows15

When have Kane and Dach been together? Other than the 3rd period against Carolina when they scored 2 goals on 1 shift? Dach has been better than Strome this season if you just use your eyes. He deserves to be Kanes center. Not sure how the face offs would work out but it’s not like Strome ever wins a face off anyways.


And who’s on a 70+ point pace? Certainly not Cat or Strome. Might wanna redo your math on that one. And neither is even on pace to hit 20 goals.

Seriously how are you gonna start a post by saying how wrong someone is and then follow that up with a bunch of false information?

He’s never looked like this though. Maybe he’s had droughts with bad luck/getting robbed by great goaltending, but this is different. He’s not getting a solid release anymore, and he’s whiffing A LOT. And when he does get a shot off it’s WAY off target. And it’s not just his shot. He’s fumbling the puck around on his stick and can’t seem to make basic plays without coughing it up.

It’s like he literally forgot how to play. I’m not giving up on him yet, but if there’s no improvement and we’re sellers at the TDL I’d search for the right deal to swap him and Strome for some other young talents/elite prospects.
- SimpleJack

I see the same thing you do, whatever he did in the off season or didn't do hurt his lightning quick accurate heavy shot. Its in there but now we won't see it until maybe the end of this season or the beginning of next.

He’s never looked like this though. Maybe he’s had droughts with bad luck/getting robbed by great goaltending, but this is different. He’s not getting a solid release anymore, and he’s whiffing A LOT. And when he does get a shot off it’s WAY off target. And it’s not just his shot. He’s fumbling the puck around on his stick and can’t seem to make basic plays without coughing it up.

It’s like he literally forgot how to play. I’m not giving up on him yet, but if there’s no improvement and we’re sellers at the TDL I’d search for the right deal to swap him and Strome for some other young talents/elite prospects.
- SimpleJack

Kane is probably the only player on the team who would return an "elite prospect."

When have Kane and Dach been together? Other than the 3rd period against Carolina when they scored 2 goals on 1 shift? Dach has been better than Strome this season if you just use your eyes. He deserves to be Kanes center. Not sure how the face offs would work out but it’s not like Strome ever wins a face off anyways.


And who’s on a 70+ point pace? Certainly not Cat or Strome. Might wanna redo your math on that one. And neither is even on pace to hit 20 goals.

Seriously how are you gonna start a post by saying how wrong someone is and then follow that up with a bunch of false information?
- SimpleJack

Kane and Dach played together against TB on Thursday and did squat together. You would whining about Dach after 3 games if he has to go against top pairing D-men. He isn't ready.

18 points in 23 games. That is ~70 points. You might want to pick another sport.

Adam Vingan
@AdamVingan

Viktor Arvidsson will miss 4-6 weeks as a result of the cross-checks he received from Robert Bortuzzo last night.

In case you didn't see the video:

https://twitter.com/kmart.../1198430144723128320?s=20

And a prior offense
https://twitter.com/AsTra.../1198445216350588928?s=20

As others have said for similar intent-to-injure penalties, Bortuzzo should be suspended until Arvidsson returns. Bortuzzo could break backs with this BS.
- pdx2ord

my god...crosschecking into the crossbar and then a vicious crosscheck to the lower back while he is down...20 games is to easy and the blues organization should take a fine...but i am sure berube didn't see it and he will let the league take care of it..

I am okay with this, Arvidssen is a dirty little bastard himself so he got some of what he hands out.
- Elbows15

you are crazy...no problem with it...that was assaullt with intent to injure...

PATHETIC

NHL Player Safety
@NHLPlayerSafety

St. Louis’ Robert Bortuzzo has been suspended for four games for Cross-checking Nashville’s Viktor Arvidsson.
- pdx2ord

nice...player safety my ass..if the blues had any integrity as a team they would suspend for another 4...but i am sure all his team mates and the coach agree with elbows..arvidson was deserving

nice...player safety my ass..if the blues had any integrity as a team they would suspend for another 4...but i am sure all his team mates and the coach agree with elbows..arvidson was deserving
- bogiedoc

A “hockey play”.

Suspensions with no on-ice replacement would get the attention of coaches, management and teammates - playing with only 17 dressed for a couple of games would have an impact.

Time to deal DeBrincat, while he still has some value. Package ADB with DeBrincat to unload Seabrook’s contract.
- DarthKane

I said it yesterday, if you can get one of those Tkachuk boys straight up for Alex Debrincat I do it right now.

Might have to throw in both salt and pepper shakers also!

A “hockey play”.

Suspensions with no on-ice replacement would get the attention of coaches, management and teammates - playing with only 17 dressed for a couple of games would have an impact.
- StLBravesFan

i agree with you...also it would be a refreshing change to have the offending player's coach and team mates call him out for that...similar to what happened with the cleveland brown's player a week or 2 ago...but the chance of that is none...

my guy does it...crickets chirping..hit? what hit? but then when they have one of their own on the receiving end it is full throttle no place in the game for a hit like that...blah blah blah...

I said it yesterday, if you can get one of those Tkachuk boys straight up for Alex Debrincat I do it right now.

Might have to throw in both salt and pepper shakers also!
- wonthecup10

I’d settle for Lucic.