Sean Maloughney: Thoughts Leading Up to Game Two

If they have to count on Smith to bail them out all season it’s not going to end well.

If they have to count on Smith to bail them out all season it’s not going to end well.
- TurdFergeson

Agreed.

They definitely improved their forward core while significantly downgrading their defensive core.

However, not moving Koskinen and being unable to sign a better back up in case Smith doesn't perform like he had last season is a recipe for disaster. That was by far Ken's worst move (or non-move in this case) in a sea of mediocre to terrible moves.

Sean Maloughney: Thoughts Leading Up to Game Two
- freelancer

Stacking the top line still baffles me though. All they are going to do is pad Poolparty's stats this year so that Holland has the privileged of overpaying him on his next deal.

Hyman-McDavid-Pulu
RHN-Drai-Yamamoto

...is a much better set-up for team success, in my opinion. Really like the 3rd line this year.

Keith-Ceci looked bad.

Would also give Perlini or Foegele a look instead of Yamo.

Stacking the top line still baffles me though. All they are going to do is pad Poolparty's stats this year so that Holland has the privileged of overpaying him on his next deal.

Hyman-McDavid-Pulu
RHN-Drai-Yamamoto

...is a much better set-up for team success, in my opinion. Really like the 3rd line this year.
- Beergu

Agreed!

I’m not sure which game Sean was watching but IMO both McD and especially Drai looked like dog shi t when they didn’t have possession.

That line was directly responsible for a number of prolonged defensive breakdowns.

Unless that line can produce 3+ even strength goals/game without fail… separate and have them elevate the games of slightly lesser teammates.

I’m a fan of Tippet but his tired reliance of the McD/Drai combo is both vexing and infuriating at the same time.

Agreed!

I’m not sure which game Sean was watching but IMO both McD and especially Drai looked like dog shi t when they didn’t have possession.

That line was directly responsible for a number of prolonged defensive breakdowns.

Unless that line can produce 3+ even strength goals/game without fail… separate and have them elevate the games of slightly lesser teammates.

I’m a fan of Tippet but his tired reliance of the McD/Drai combo is both vexing and infuriating at the same time.
- OilDerek

Keith-Ceci looked bad.

This should be no surprise. Holland wasted $9 million on one of the worst pairings in the league. Better, younger, cheaper defenders were readily available on the waiver wire last week. A better pairing could have been assembled for less than $2 million.

Far better use could have been made of the $9 million. Holland could have signed or traded for a 2D at a salary of <$6 million and added a defender comparable to Cici for <$1 million. Doing so would have provided a more suitable D core, while leaving a couple million to spend on depth.

Fortunately, the Pacific Division is far worse than last season's Canadian Division, so the playoffs remain a certainty despite Holland's boggling off-season maneuvers.

This should be no surprise. Holland wasted $9 million on one of the worst pairings in the league. Better, younger, cheaper defenders were readily available on the waiver wire last week. A better pairing could have been assembled for less than $2 million.

Far better use could have been made of the $9 million. Holland could have signed or traded for a 2D at a salary of <$6 million and added a defender comparable to Cici for <$1 million. Doing so would have provided a more suitable D core, while leaving a couple million to spend on depth.

Fortunately, the Pacific Division is far worse than last season's Canadian Division, so the playoffs remain a certainty despite Holland's boggling off-season maneuvers.
- Jackie Daytona

I wouldn't wish Ken Holland on any organization. Yzerman is still cleaning up the dumpster fire Holland made in Detroit... but he's made good progress.

I wouldn't wish Ken Holland on any organization. Yzerman is still cleaning up the dumpster fire Holland made in Detroit... but he's made good progress.
- Vladdie_Kon1

Stacking the top line still baffles me though. All they are going to do is pad Poolparty's stats this year so that Holland has the privileged of overpaying him on his next deal.

Hyman-McDavid-Pulu
RHN-Drai-Yamamoto

...is a much better set-up for team success, in my opinion. Really like the 3rd line this year.
- Beergu

Haven't seen any of your games how has Hyman been playing?