Lol so true. With McCann the talent is there, the consistency isn't. In a way he reminds of Rust before last year. Hopefully has the same result at some point.
- Tojo.

He's probably playing the best hockey he's ever had in his NHL career possibly, and some of it has been with random linemates. If we really don't wanna dig hard into assets for a 2nd line winger for Geno I have no problem with McCann playing up there. I also have no problem with Blueger centering the 3rd line either. But they definitely need to add in some way.

It's time to consider Anthony Angello a bona fide NHL player. Let's ask the question, what are we looking for in a bottom six guy who can step up when needed? Speed, he has that; hands, that was a nice goal last night plus that was a sweet feed to Zohorna; hard to play against, he hits, battles down low, and goes to the net; fancy stats, has that also.

He's on an ELC and knows the system. Isn't this what we are looking for or am I missing something?

We need to give the goaltending and the D-core credit for these two wins against the Islanders. Jarry and DeSmith have been great for some time now. Hopefully Jarry's injury won't keep him out long.

The D got runover in the second but responded well in the third. A good overall performance to win two games clean, none the less.

One last thing, it's also time to give the scouting team some credit. We are always mocked for lack of depth in the organization, ranked last for I don't know how long. Yet we always bring guys up who can play. Or we get overlooked guys like Morino and ZAR and maybe Gaudreau. Not superstars but solid contributors.

One last thing, it's also time to give the scouting team some credit. We are always mocked for lack of depth in the organization, ranked last for I don't know how long. Yet we always bring guys up who can play. Or we get overlooked guys like Morino and ZAR and maybe Gaudreau. Not superstars but solid contributors.
- Thunderbolt

The scouting team does do good for what little picks they work with.

He's probably playing the best hockey he's ever had in his NHL career possibly, and some of it has been with random linemates. If we really don't wanna dig hard into assets for a 2nd line winger for Geno I have no problem with McCann playing up there. I also have no problem with Blueger centering the 3rd line either. But they definitely need to add in some way.
- 668710

I think that may be how they have to play it. Just add a little more scoring depth, but largely rely on the guys you have. I do wish we could have seen a longer run of McCann-Malkin-Kapanen or even more Malkin and Zucker to see if that was just an early funk.

It's time to consider Anthony Angello a bona fide NHL player. Let's ask the question, what are we looking for in a bottom six guy who can step up when needed? Speed, he has that; hands, that was a nice goal last night plus that was a sweet feed to Zohorna; hard to play against, he hits, battles down low, and goes to the net; fancy stats, has that also.

He's on an ELC and knows the system. Isn't this what we are looking for or am I missing something?
- Thunderbolt

I was just looking at some stats and saw Angelo had not been on the ice for a goal against yet this year in his 17 games. He and Ruhwedel have the best xGA rates on the team. Really not a bad player for a 4th line checker. If you're not going to score a lot, at least don't be losing the game

What we're looking for that Angelo lacks to this point is a little more offense. (He did lead WBS in goals last year so it's possible he has a little more to give.) But he might deserve a look if a spot on whatever their shutdown line is opens up. The physical style is nice icing so long as he's earning a spot.

I was just looking at some stats and saw Angelo had not been on the ice for a goal against yet this year in his 17 games. He and Ruhwedel have the best xGA rates on the team. Really not a bad player for a 4th line checker. If you're not going to score a lot, at least don't be losing the game

What we're looking for that Angelo lacks to this point is a little more offense. (He did lead WBS in goals last year so it's possible he has a little more to give.) But he might deserve a look if a spot on whatever their shutdown line is opens up. The physical style is nice icing so long as he's earning a spot.
- Tojo.

Yeah that’s the thing. Right now when we’re torn up by injuries and we have to cobble together lines, it’s great to have Angelo out there being an NHL caliber talent doing good 4th line type stuff. But for any kind of playoff push, our bottom six can’t be the Blueger checking line and a typical 4th line. We need a bottom six line that can be relied upon to generate offense with favorable deployment. It’s important to be realistic and not expect the second coming of HBK, but something like this Zucker-McCann-Rodrigues line (with hopefully an upgrade over Rodrigues, fits the Bill of what we need than something like Zohorna-Gaudreaux-Angello, which would probably be a decently capable typical 4th line.

Yeah that’s the thing. Right now when we’re torn up by injuries and we have to cobble together lines, it’s great to have Angelo out there being an NHL caliber talent doing good 4th line type stuff. But for any kind of playoff push, our bottom six can’t be the Blueger checking line and a typical 4th line. We need a bottom six line that can be relied upon to generate offense with favorable deployment. It’s important to be realistic and not expect the second coming of HBK, but something like this Zucker-McCann-Rodrigues line (with hopefully an upgrade over Rodrigues, fits the Bill of what we need than something like Zohorna-Gaudreaux-Angello, which would probably be a decently capable typical 4th line.
- Victoro311

The top twelve are:
Guentzel-Crosby-Rust
McCann-Malkin-Kapanen
Zucker-Blueger-Tanev
ZAR-Gaudreau-Angello

Defensively you have three responsible lines, the exception being the Malkin line. You have two scoring lines along with offensive potential throughout the bottom six.

We are weak on the road, I think this helps offset that weakness by placing a lower priority on line matching.

The top twelve are:
Guentzel-Crosby-Rust
McCann-Malkin-Kapanen
Zucker-Blueger-Tanev
ZAR-Gaudreau-Angello

Defensively you have three responsible lines, the exception being the Malkin line. You have two scoring lines along with offensive potential throughout the bottom six.

We are weak on the road, I think this helps offset that weakness by placing a lower priority on line matching.
- Thunderbolt

I wouldn’t mind that as a regular season healthy roster/lineup, but I just don’t see that lineup making a real push in the playoffs.

Weren't we -15 at one point? It was really bad. Can't remember the exact figure. Impressive turnaround.
- madmike71

I dunno if it was -15 but it was definitely in the negatives for the first 2 weeks.

I wouldn’t mind that as a regular season healthy roster/lineup, but I just don’t see that lineup making a real push in the playoffs.
- Victoro311

The options going into the deadline should be 2LW or 3C. I have to think that's all they need. And on the Dying Alive podcast they said Hextall came out and said he wants a center and that's it. So we might just snag a 3C or a 4C and call it a day?

The options going into the deadline should be 2LW or 3C. I have to think that's all they need. And on the Dying Alive podcast they said Hextall came out and said he wants a center and that's it. So we might just snag a 3C or a 4C and call it a day?
- j.boyd919

Shame. I think if we only had one move to make, 2LW would be the most impactful. Given that Gaudreau has emerged as a viable 4C, you have options to make a good 3rd line out of Zucker, McCann and Blueger.

I guess we’ll see what happens. I don’t know who to even target for 3C and just getting a 4C wouldn’t move the needle at all.

The top twelve are:
Guentzel-Crosby-Rust
McCann-Malkin-Kapanen
Zucker-Blueger-Tanev
ZAR-Gaudreau-Angello

Defensively you have three responsible lines, the exception being the Malkin line. You have two scoring lines along with offensive potential throughout the bottom six.

We are weak on the road, I think this helps offset that weakness by placing a lower priority on line matching.
- Thunderbolt

Ideally I'd like guys like Angelo and Gaudreau coming in as injury replacements. I'd throw ERod in too. Would lime a little more depth in front of them. And for Jankowski, Sceviour, and Lafferty to not be considered that better depth.

I'd take a RW with a little offense as my 2nd pick-up. Upgrading C or LW would be the top priority though, depending on where McCann plays.

I'd take a RW with a little offense as my 2nd pick-up. Upgrading C or LW would be the top priority though, depending on where McCann plays.
- Tojo.

I think that is what is so great about McCann's play right now. He can be the 2nd line wing or third line center. It doesn't matter. He is driving play in any position. So I would be going after the best possible talent in our price range and not worry about their position thanks to our current flexibility.

I'd take a RW with a little offense as my 2nd pick-up. Upgrading C or LW would be the top priority though, depending on where McCann plays.
- Tojo.

Upgrading C is going to be a tough one IMO and with so many teams still in the hunt it's hard to see who will sell. I think Soderberg would be a good target if CHI is further out of the race by the deadline. CBJ could be a team to watch as well. They might turn into sellers if they're too far out and Foligno could be an option there.

Out of the teams clearly out at this point there really isn't a bevy of upgrades at C. Obviously there's the Getzlaf dream, but I find that very unlikely. I read recently that he hasn't shown any desire to go play for contender.

But yeah, I think the biggest hurdle is going to be which teams believe they're out of the running with how close things are in all these divisions.

Anyone know anything on Marchand's injury? He's injured right?

Anyone know anything on Marchand's injury? He's injured right?
- Rinosaur

He’s got some scary flu. Thankfully China was proactive.

Anyone know anything on Marchand's injury? He's injured right?
- Rinosaur

Pretty sure it’s COVID protocol

Anyone know anything on Marchand's injury? He's injured right?
- Rinosaur

Covid protocol I believe

I dunno if it was -15 but it was definitely in the negatives for the first 2 weeks.
- j.boyd919

I saw -9 at one point for sure

The top twelve are:
Guentzel-Crosby-Rust
McCann-Malkin-Kapanen
Zucker-Blueger-Tanev
ZAR-Gaudreau-Angello

Defensively you have three responsible lines, the exception being the Malkin line. You have two scoring lines along with offensive potential throughout the bottom six.

We are weak on the road, I think this helps offset that weakness by placing a lower priority on line matching.
- Thunderbolt

I think a scoring RW would be my top priority. RW is weaker in terms of offensive talent. It can help the PP. Rust kills it on the PK. Although with those both quickly rising the ranks that seems to be less of a concern. Or a RW version of McCann who could play centre top would be nice for upcoming injuries.

I wouldn’t mind that as a regular season healthy roster/lineup, but I just don’t see that lineup making a real push in the playoffs.
- Victoro311

This is a hard working team, what they lack in talent they make up in hustle. It's also a Sullivan team, going to be a difficult challenge to significantly upgrade this group.

With Hextall and Burke coming in and Trader Jim leaving, there is stability here and may have made this a more cohesive team.

I'm okay with what we have. I will say this, I have confidence in whatever management does it will be the right move.

Pretty sure it’s COVID protocol
- kfinl170

Ah ok