They might have ended up like dahlin. Most defenseman need more time
- nyrangers2

I just think the comparison of Kakko-Laf vs Miller-Fox is stupid

its apples and oranges

I just think the comparison of Kakko-Laf vs Miller-Fox is stupid

its apples and oranges
- jimbro83

For sure. I think will see kravtsov play at a comparable level to Miller/fox. Khl should have done a lot for him development wise

- jimbro83

It was pretty funny when Valley said the only reason AV succeeded here was cause of Hank...cold blooded haha

I just think the comparison of Kakko-Laf vs Miller-Fox is stupid

its apples and oranges
- jimbro83

Not to mention, Kakko looks really good.

He might be the best forechecker on the team. He leads THE LEAGUE in takeaways per game. Beating out guys like Sydney Crosby and Mark Stone.

It was pretty funny when Valley said the only reason AV succeeded here was cause of Hank...cold blooded haha
- TPC

this was a great tweet last night:


BlueCollarBlueShirts
@NYCTheMiC
·
16h
Vally loves talking about guys being stretched out. #NYR

Not to mention, Kakko looks really good.

He might be the best forechecker on the team. He leads THE LEAGUE in takeaways per game. Beating out guys like Sydney Crosby and Mark Stone.
- Bean_Dip

HOLY CRAP!!
I have been touting his abilities along the wall, but I never would have expected that!!

I just think the comparison of Kakko-Laf vs Miller-Fox is stupid

its apples and oranges
- jimbro83

I think maybe you went a little overboard- nothing is an exact science. of course I understand that they are older although Miller not by the much. My point was the eye test makes me concerned not that they are busts.

I think maybe you went a little overboard- nothing is an exact science. of course I understand that they are older although Miller not by the much. My point was the eye test makes me concerned not that they are busts.



- Greschnergy#4

hey, remember a guy named Dave Gagner?

HOLY CRAP!!
I have been touting his abilities along the wall, but I never would have expected that!!
- Tonybere

To me he's looked dominant for weeks now. The scoring will come, I have zero doubts about that.

It was pretty funny when Valley said the only reason AV succeeded here was cause of Hank...cold blooded haha
- TPC

The more I listen to Vally's analysis of games and teams, the more I realize he does not pull punches. He was ripping on the Flyers last night. And dissecting Carter Hart's inability to stop the puck.

hey, remember a guy named Dave Gagner?
- jimbro83

I'm as frustrated as you with this base. Laf hasn't looked as good as Kakko IMO, but we are talking about kids. People forget even players like CK had quite the non linear progression here.

The more I listen to Vally's analysis of games and teams, the more I realize he does not pull punches. He was ripping on the Flyers last night. And dissecting Carter Hart's inability to stop the puck.
- NYRCeph

To me Hart looks every bit like Dipietro and Mason now. Guys who were successful early and had no answers once the league made an adjustment to them. Mason I guess at least had a semi respectable career. I'm just not sure Hart ever really turns it around fully, because guys who follow arcs like he'd had really haven't before.

I'm as frustrated as you with this base. Laf hasn't looked as good as Kakko IMO, but we are talking about kids. People forget even players like CK had quite the non linear progression here.
- 2sticks1puck

Laf went 10 months without playing in an organized hockey game, didn't have a real training camp, no exhibition games, no normal training

when you think about it it actually may be a plus that's he done reasonably well

To me Hart looks every bit like Dipietro and Mason now. Guys who were successful early and had no answers once the league made an adjustment to them. Mason I guess at least had a semi respectable career. I'm just not sure Hart ever really turns it around fully, because guys who follow arcs like he'd had really haven't before.
- 2sticks1puck

What Vally said about him was spot on. The guy's technical game is just atrocious right now. He needs a coach like Allaire to really work on every detail, otherwise, like you said, it will be a short career.
I am willing to be he comes back next year better.

Laf went 10 months without playing in an organized hockey game, didn't have a real training camp, no exhibition games, no normal training

when you think about it it actually may be a plus that's he done reasonably well
- jimbro83

People need a little grace, patience and Xanax

So many screaming about Zib's play earlier in the season are flip-flopping and singing his praises.
I am going to say it right now. Next season people will be singing Laf's praises after a full offseason, training camp and time with the team.

Phila has always been the place goalies go to die. What have the had, like 35 different goalies in the last 15 years

I'm as frustrated as you with this base. Laf hasn't looked as good as Kakko IMO, but we are talking about kids. People forget even players like CK had quite the non linear progression here.
- 2sticks1puck

Both CK and Zucc who turned into pretty solid NHL players were yo-yoed between NY and Hartford their first few years. I'm not saying Kakko and Laf are going to explode next year but it wouldn't surprise me for both of them to be 15-20 goal scorers next season with a full off season and a chance to get in the gym and put on some weight.

I can't help but feel like they'd also both do much better in a full barn, where they can ride the energy, where as most of our players dominating are a bit more mature and used to the grind of professional hockey.

What Vally said about him was spot on. The guy's technical game is just atrocious right now. He needs a coach like Allaire to really work on every detail, otherwise, like you said, it will be a short career.
I am willing to be he comes back next year better.
- NYRCeph

If Hart flames out, the Flyers really are cooked for a long time. They just went through a rebuild, and yet I don't see the guns to compete in this division as is. Hart could have masked some of that like Hank did for us. If they have to do a rebuild right after a rebuild, they are starting to enter Buffalo territory, but with a couple playoff appearances sprinkled in.

hey, remember a guy named Dave Gagner?
- jimbro83

OMG! not before I just Wiki'd him- Please NO!!!!

Both CK and Zucc who turned into pretty solid NHL players were yo-yoed between NY and Hartford their first few years. I'm not saying Kakko and Laf are going to explode next year but it wouldn't surprise me for both of them to be 15-20 goal scorers next season with a full off season and a chance to get in the gym and put on some weight.

I can't help but feel like they'd also both do much better in a full barn, where they can ride the energy, where as most of our players dominating are a bit more mature and used to the grind of professional hockey.
- newenglandpuck

I really do think Kakko is about to explode. I'm glad the stat was shared above which kinda confirmed what I've been seeing on the ice: Kakko has looked great out there.

Laf I agree needs to put on weight. Although context is needed that it was garbage time and it still was kinda fluke goal, it was nice to see Laf dig that puck out and for Chytil to get on the score sheet. I'd like to see more like that out of Laf.

I really do think Kakko is about to explode. I'm glad the stat was shared above which kinda confirmed what I've been seeing on the ice: Kakko has looked great out there.

Laf I agree needs to put on weight. Although context is needed that it was garbage time and it still was kinda fluke goal, it was nice to see Laf dig that puck out and for Chytil to get on the score sheet. I'd like to see more like that out of Laf.
- 2sticks1puck

I thought Laf made a bunch of really poor decisions last night. Uncharacteristic for what we've seen of him so far. Felt like he was feeling pressure to do something noticeable. Probably nothing a few conversations with his teammates and coaches and a little more time won't fix.
If this is the low end of the spectrum as he grows into a pro, sign me up!

I'm as frustrated as you with this base. Laf hasn't looked as good as Kakko IMO, but we are talking about kids. People forget even players like CK had quite the non linear progression here.
- 2sticks1puck

There are some people looking at the other rookies in the league and thinking the grass is greener. But if you look a little deeper you realize that Kaprizov is 23, Stutzle gets good powerplay time and plays on a team that is just letting it ride.

There are some people looking at the other rookies in the league and thinking the grass is greener. But if you look a little deeper you realize that Kaprizov is 23, Stutzle gets good powerplay time and plays on a team that is just letting it ride.
- climbdenali12

When you peel back the onion on Stutzle, you see he's a good offensive player (partly because of his deployment) but an awful defensive player. We're talking one of the worst in the league. Tons of giveaways.

He said he was. He lost 15 lbs for (frank)s sake.

He got way to much poop here, way to much. It was painful to read
- Slimtj100

He said he was fine after awhile and that is was the mental aspect. If it was Nash you would have been going out of your (frank)ing mind.

He got called out when he deserved it.