Dan Wallace: Hartman Not Playing vs. Former Team

Glad to see Hartman sitting. He needs to get his head straightened out, with the way he has played the last several games. sit him for a game or 2, then slot him back in between Zucc and KK. The Steel plan has melted away. I think any player that center those 2 is going to look pretty good right off the start. But sustaining it is a whole other ballgame. And Steel, though looking like he understands the way those 2 play, cannot finish. At least Hartman figured out how to take advantage of centering those 2 and finished. Of course, he's still not the answer for a 1C, but I think he is better situated than Steel is.

Its a nice gesture by Evason to move Duhaime up to the Boldy line, but I really don't think that is going to click either. First thing that needs to be done is remove Gaudreau from it. Oh look, another spot in need of a good center. If there has been 1 thing that bothers me with Guerin, it's his posturing about really not needing a center. Maybe that is just lip service so other teams don't think he is ultra dire need of a center, to keep prices down...but even casual fans realize the need for a couple of good centers.

It sure would be nice if the NHL trades started happening right now...

Found another thing that I am wondering about. Here is the lineup (according to Russo) for tonight's game vs the Flyers.

Kaprizov-Steel-Zuccarello
Greenway-Eriksson Ek-Foligno
Duhaime-Gaudreau-Boldy
Shaw-Dewar-Reaves

If you are going to call Ek's line the #2 line, why not move Boldy there and Greenway down with Duhaime/Gaudreau? The GREEF line isn't scoring anyways, maybe adding Boldy there might be the catalyst?

Would Hartman be on the trade block? I’d assume no based on his contract. But just curious. Rangers could use a RW

Kravtsov for Hartman of any interest? 🤔Kravtsov needs a better opportunity and the rangers could use a more established guy

I like your thought on Boldy with Ek and Foligno. Greenway as big as he is is not hitting and to much east and west. He should be crashing the net and making it hard on defenses trying to push him out. Which should ware them down

Would Hartman be on the trade block? I’d assume no based on his contract. But just curious. Rangers could use a RW

Kravtsov for Hartman of any interest? 🤔Kravtsov needs a better opportunity and the rangers could use a more established guy
- Slimtj100

Imo Hartman is sitting for poor play and bad penalties like Dumba was. He’s on a good contract so the only way I see him moved now would be in a multiplayer deal.

I don’t see Kravtsov being a fit with the Wild. The Wild need help now and Kravtsov hasn’t cracked the top 9 in NY.

Ving, your comment made me think even more about the GREEF line and basically how it is set up incorrectly. That line consists of 3 big guys you want to park in front of the net and score the dirty goals. Ek is probably the best of the 3 at doing that. Foligno would be my pick for the 2nd best. So Greenway is set up in the distributor role for that line, and that is something that he just is not good at. The makes me even more convinced that Boldy should replace Greenway on that line. Play Greenway with Gaudreau and Hartman. Freddy can run around with the puck and be the distributor, Hartman proved he can put things on net with Zucc and KK last year...and Greenway can be the monster in front of the net, getting rebounds. I honestly think that might a good answer to open up the Wild's offense. Still need a center for Zucc and KK though.

Line combinations today:

Kaprizov-Steel-Zuccarello
Greenway-JEE-Hartman
Foligno-Gaudreau-Boldy
Dewar with Shaw,Duhaime and Reaves

Is Guerin forcing Evason to play Reaves? I’d like to see the energy and more speed that the other 3 bring.

I could see playing Reaves against the Flyers. Not sure why he was on the ice for the Sabres game though. Was not effective at all.