Quote:
Originally Posted by New Era
Observations after sleeping on the game and then reviewing it a second time this morning.
I don't get what Peters sees in Derek Ryan. He really doesn't do much out there as far as contributing to the play. He's quick and an opportunist, but his play is driven by those he plays with. I don't see him as anything but a PP specialist, and even then with spot duty. If Peters wants this guy in the lineup he should be the 4th line center or 13th forward. The fact that he is being played ahead of Jankowski and Bennett is crazy.
Bennett has been giving it his all out there. I get that. But man, does this kid need to learn how to use his linemates. He gets the puck then tries to beat all six of the opposition on the ice. I think a couple times he got the puck he gave a head fake to a couple Canucks on the bench just for good measure. Use your linemates! Make a pass! Head man the puck! Then use that tenaciousness to get into position to get the puck back or make some open ice for the puck carrier to go to! The effort is there, but the instincts need to improve.
Mike Smith is not the solution. Slow, poor rebound control, doesn't use that big frame well, and doesn't anticipate anything. I should probably mention his poor decision making while handling the puck too. One of things that makes Mike Smith an interesting goaltender is that he is unpredictable. The problem with Mike Smith as a goaltender is that he is unpredictable. The thing that made Kipper great was the fact that when the puck got to certain areas you were pretty confident that puck wasn't going to end up in the net. Smith doesn't give you that confidence. Outside of 20 games last season, when that puck crosses the center line anything directed at Smith is a scoring opportunity. When a goaltender gives up more goals than the team gives up danger zone scoring chances, that is a warning sign. Smith needs to channel that guy from the 20 game segment last season, or the Flames need to move on, and move on quickly.
Michael Stone is an enigma. At times he looks so good, then at others he looks lost out there. I thought Hanafin would be the perfect partner for him, because of his mobility, but Stone just doesn't have any chemistry with him, or anyone else for that matter. He's the perfect spot player - a number 7 defenseman - but he is looking like a weakness back there. I'd rather see Andersson in the lineup than Stone.
Offensively this team is looking pretty decent. The first line is great. Lindholm has obviously figured out where he needs to be with Gaudreau and Monahan. Tkachuk is carrying that second line as it looks for a full time RW. The third line is a steaming pile. Bennett and Jankowski should be promoted and be playing with Neal. Neal could teach Bennett a thing or six and that line could be scary in its own right. The fourth line would best be served as being your specialists with a mix of Dube, Czarnik, Frolik and Ryan. I wouldn't mind seeing what Frolik-Dube-Czarnik could do. Could be an interesting line, especially with having Ryan as your fallback position in the middle.
As I said earlier, it was a win, but my god was that ugly. Some real positives, but still some major things to address IMO.
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That was my biggest concern about the Derek Ryan signing. As a depth or fourth line forward, sure no problem. However there is a reason why the Canes fan base consistently spoke of Peters fascination with Ryan. No different than GG misuse of Brouwer. Now I get the fact Ryan had decent underlying numbers in Carolina, but it’s not all about that.
Let’s hope Peters doesn’t do the same here as he did with Ryan in Carolina, as he doesn’t need to, based on the other bodies he has as options.