If your powerplay scores 50 goals out of 200 chances but allows 12 shorthanded goals, you do not have a good powerplay

Strong forward depth should also help that bottom pair. They won't be playing with a weak 4th line, but 2 lines full of guys who play effective defense and a few proven play drivers.

This is where good coaching comes in. Sully can be very calculated how and when he deploys them to mitigate issues.

We should also be clear that Pettersson’s ability to play the 2nd pair full time effectively is still something to prove.
- Rinosaur

This is a good point. I'm pretty confident in Pettersson, but if he has a sophomore slump, Schultz continues to struggle, or it's just a bad mix that opens up another problem.

Opposing teams players will be salivating at that pairing. If Sully doesn't play them 15 a game he may be able to limit the damage.
- Thorny87

I dunno. Newly reformed Gudbranson could prop JJ and make a formidable hit down 3rd pair to play against other teams top lines...

If your powerplay scores 50 goals out of 200 chances but allows 12 shorthanded goals, you do not have a good powerplay
- RoloTahmasee

If your power play consistently allows the same amount of chances against over multiple years and one year the goals go up, you did not get as good of goaltending as in previous years.

If the top 4 is solid, they can address the bottom pair at the deadline. It shouldn't be hard to find a bottom pair LHD better than JJ. So long as there aren't bigger holes we'll survive.
- Tojo.

Speaking of which, Ben Hutton, who is better than JJ, just signed with LA for $1.5M. He was free to acquire.

That's the big issue. Someone had a stat that showed Sully spreads out the ice time a little more than most coaches. Those 2 were playing over 15 a night last year IIRC.

Not having last change will be interesting if we're pairing that d with a fourth line.
- Thorny87

Well that’s an unforced error on sullivan’s part. An independent stupid decision that negates an independent good decision doesn’t make that good decision stupid.

Speaking of which, Ben Hutton, who is better than JJ, just signed with LA for $1.5M. He was free to acquire.
- Hockey66

If we keep looking at dmen better than JJ who could have been had cheaper than JJ you’re going to drive yourself mad.

This is a good point. I'm pretty confident in Pettersson, but if he has a sophomore slump, Schultz continues to struggle, or it's just a bad mix that opens up another problem.
- Tojo.

I’m cautiously optimistic, but until we see it nothing is known.

Speaking of which, Ben Hutton, who is better than JJ, just signed with LA for $1.5M. He was free to acquire.
- Hockey66

Personally, I'd like someone who can move the puck in that spot.

Personally, I'd like someone who can move the puck in that spot.
- Tojo.

Well, yeah. I would like someone who is at least good (or decent) at actual defense. JJ is good at neither.

Well that’s an unforced error on sullivan’s part. An independent stupid decision that negates an independent good decision doesn’t make that good decision stupid.
- Victoro311

That's how Sully has played it, but there is more of a divide between the second and 3rd pair than there was last year.

But yeah, last year the 3rd pair played almost the same minutes as the second and had much worse zone starts, so I they sheltered the 3rd pair it would be a shift. On the plus side, Pettersson and Gudbranson weren't sheltered when succeeding last year, so that bodes well for them. Playing with JJ wipes out my optimism for Gudbranson though.

Well, yeah. I would like someone who is at least good (or decent) at actual defense. JJ is good at neither.
- Hockey66

At least with us, Gudbranson was solid defensively especially down low and credited Gonchar with changing how he played in transition which he said made a big difference. But while he was better at breaking out than I thought he'd be, he definitely leaned on Pettersson there and I worry about taking out that element because there's a real chance his improved play was partly ideal scenario.

Byfuglien apparently contemplating retirement. The Jets will be super thin on defense. JR! Get on the horn! Sell JJ!

It’s nice to dream.

I’m cautiously optimistic, but until we see it nothing is known.
- Rinosaur

Id like to see dumo play with SHultz a bit and see what Petts can do with Letang. Don't think that would happen though.

Id like to see dumo play with SHultz a bit and see what Petts can do with Letang. Don't think that would happen though.
- joecool2931

Let him get his feet wet logging 2nd pair minutes first. Increased TOI can be a rollercoaster adjustment for young players.

Let him get his feet wet logging 2nd pair minutes first. Increased TOI can be a rollercoaster adjustment for young players.
- Rinosaur

I can see that, but is there really that much of a difference between 1st and 2nd line if you take away PP/PK times? I searching NST now...

Im really more concerned with dumo's ability to play away from Letang.

5v5 TOI

Letang - 19.15
dumo - 17.33
shultz - 16.55
guds - 16.42
Johnson - 16.06
Petts - 15.30

If you just shelter him from special teams, i don't see TOI being a problem.

I can see that, but is there really that much of a difference between 1st and 2nd line if you take away PP/PK times? I searching NST now...
- joecool2931

Off the top of my head I’m guessing around a two to three minute difference, but 1st pair minutes are also tougher minutes against tougher competition.

Id like to see dumo play with SHultz a bit and see what Petts can do with Letang. Don't think that would happen though.
- joecool2931

PC > console.

PC > console.
- j.boyd919

Console masterrace, it may have just been my school, but only the biggest (frank)ing losers played PC. Like magic the gathering, at toys r us, at 16 losers.

Hallander fractures leg.

PC > console.
- j.boyd919

Definelty better resos and framrates...if you spend the coin. I dont have a hell of a lot of time for gaming these days but when I do my Xbox One, that was a Christmas gift, keeps me amused well enough. I signed up for Gamepass and thats the only money I'll ever need to spend on games. Its cheaper than Netflix per month and its full of games, that if it were 15 years ago, I'd probably of paid full price for.

Console masterrace, it may have just been my school, but only the biggest (frank)ing losers played PC. Like magic the gathering, at toys r us, at 16 losers.
- joecool2931

Hahaha I started on PC in jr high playing the old R6 games and OG counterstrike back when it was a HL2 mod before Vegas and poop. High school is when I made the switch to console just because of Xbox live but my line do work calls for a pretty high end PC. Having the high end PC I started playing Pubg on there before it was ported to console and It led me to sell my Xbox for a new fishing rod. PC exclusive now. Pubg, siege and insurgency are all I play.

Hallander fractures leg.
- Rinosaur

That blows. Hate hearing any player get hurt but especially the young developing guys.

Definelty better resos and framrates...if you spend the coin. I dont have a hell of a lot of time for gaming these days but when I do my Xbox One, that was a Christmas gift, keeps me amused well enough. I signed up for Gamepass and thats the only money I'll ever need to spend on games. Its cheaper than Netflix per month and its full of games, that if it were 15 years ago, I'd probably of paid full price for.
- MattStrat

I tried to go back to console and play MGS5 and my thumbs were retarded. I couldn’t aim for poop after playing M&K for like a year. I can get down with sports games on console but there’s nothing good on them anymore considering Chel is horrendous and has been the same game since like NHL16