Practice Notes - Mar 9

[Goriders]

Originally Posted by TrentCrimmIndependent

230lb big boi

He looked great on the PP. just stick him right in front of the goalie and cross check any dmen that come near.

Exactly what we needed.

[Goriders]

Originally Posted by topfiverecords

It's a 0-0 league.

Only need 17 goals to win out.

[Paulie Walnuts]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

I feel the same way - I don't want to believe that, but I am starting to, regardless.

It does feel like he is sabotaging the lineup with his odd choices sitting better players for his buddy Lucic. It feels that way but its hard to believe it would be something someone would do.

I think the frustrating part is that Lucic is gifted a spot in the lineup but young players and better players who have earned to be in the lineup sit.

[Gaskal]

Originally Posted by TrentCrimmIndependent

What kind of blackmail is lucic holding over the management/coaching staff

From Wild fans it sounded like Reaves suddenly had a vested interest in not dropping the gloves that game

Similar story for every other team with a touted heavyweight

[Goriders]

Originally Posted by D as in David

If this happens, I think the odds of Coronato dressing at all during the playoffs are pretty slim with Darryl Sutter as coach unless there are a raft of injuries.

ETA: Would they be able to send Coronato down to the Wranglers for their playoffs instead or no because he wasn't on their roster at the TDL?

If we go 12-5 or better to get in why would you mess with anything?

That at .700 win percentage. Don’t touch it!!

[Paulie Walnuts]

Originally Posted by Gaskal

From Wild fans it sounded like Reaves suddenly had a vested interest in not dropping the gloves that game

Similar story for every other team with a touted heavyweight

Who would he fight if Lucic wasn't in the lineup?

They would get 3-4 minutes of running around and probably sit.

Instead we get fed 12-13 minutes of a useless hockey players.

[Calgary4LIfe]

I like using Dube in the middle, especially with his speed. I don't think it is a bad idea to give him reps as a center, but I do think that he could use a bit more ice time, even considering that Sutter rolls 4 lines. I think what needs to happen, however, is for Lucic to play a few less shifts a game, and get whatever winger is looking strong that night to eat up those extra shifts as a reward. Would make that 4th line a bit more dangerous, and hopefully more production out of Dube.


However, I am certain that unless Lucic makes a series of egregious errors, Sutter is not going to scratch him any further this season, so as a fan, I would simply rather focus on the positives that he does bring (and yes, there are some, even if you hate this player and even the role he fills - there is a defined role here). Win or lose, I just watch hockey for enjoyment. If they win and make the playoffs, great. If they lose, so be it - better pick and better lottery odds to grab Bedard, or at least someone higher up that could be a franchise-level player.



The only player on the team that I have started to form a dislike towards is Kadri, mostly because of his tunnel vision and what I perceive as selfishness both in his shot selection as well as his penalties (including those that he gets away with). Huberdeau's turnovers and propensity to try for the difficult passes that get picked off too often bother me, especially when they are passes that had they connected, would not have resulted in any better of a scoring chance than the easier play.


Still, I just enjoy watching the game and seeing what happens. They could very well make the playoffs and be a very tough out for anyone, or they might go on another losing skid again.



At the moment, I am loving Markstrom's resurgence. Top-tier goalie who may have suffered because of the baby-jitters, but in back-to-back games has been Vezina-calibre. Season rests squarely on his shoulders at the moment, but a composed Markstrom is some of the best shoulders in the entire NHL.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by Paulie Walnuts

Who would he fight if Lucic wasn't in the lineup?

They would get 3-4 minutes of running around and probably sit.

Instead we get fed 12-13 minutes of a useless hockey players.

As I've said all along there is an element of intangibles that has to play into it. So the quick dismissal of some fans doesn't work for me.

But he's struggled, and I agree there are better options.

But he's averaging 10.5 minutes not 12-13

[IliketoPuck]

Originally Posted by Gaskal

I'm liking Ritchie with Huberdeau and Kadri. Let the new guys work it out.
Small sample size but looks pretty good so far. Especially the Wild game where we got caved in 5v5.


xGF% - Kadri 72.40%, Huberdeau 66.12%, Ritchie 64.99%
CF% - Kadri 67.86%, Huberdeau 64.29%, Ritchie 62.07%



xGF% - Kadri 60.36%, Huberdeau 39.48%, Ritchie 59.58%
CF% - Kadri 69.57%, Huberdeau 57.69%, Ritchie 66.67%

Was going to say something similar.

Ritchie has looked excellent on that line. He's a big body, he's fast, and he opens up a lot of space for Huberdeau and Kadri to work with.

I really like what I've seen from him the last two games. Keep that line together.

[Classic_Sniper]

Originally Posted by Gaskal

I'm liking Ritchie with Huberdeau and Kadri. Let the new guys work it out.
Small sample size but looks pretty good so far. Especially the Wild game where we got caved in 5v5.


xGF% - Kadri 72.40%, Huberdeau 66.12%, Ritchie 64.99%
CF% - Kadri 67.86%, Huberdeau 64.29%, Ritchie 62.07%



xGF% - Kadri 60.36%, Huberdeau 39.48%, Ritchie 59.58%
CF% - Kadri 69.57%, Huberdeau 57.69%, Ritchie 66.67%

Yes I've liked them together as well. Their cycle game has looked much better with Ritchie. If the dude can stop taking these dumb offensive zone penalties, then that line should start to produce more and get their minutes up.

[FiveSeven]

Huberdeau has been playing RW since Christmas after setting an NHL record high points by an LW.

[AFireInside]

Originally Posted by Classic_Sniper

Yes I've liked them together as well. Their cycle game has looked much better with Ritchie. If the dude can stop taking these dumb offensive zone penalties, then that line should start to produce more and get their minutes up.

I don't understand why we didn't try Walker Duehr on that line then. He seems like a better player, and a better fit.

[Goriders]

Originally Posted by IliketoPuck

Was going to say something similar.

Ritchie has looked excellent on that line. He's a big body, he's fast, and he opens up a lot of space for Huberdeau and Kadri to work with.

I really like what I've seen from him the last two games. Keep that line together.

Not sure about the fast part. He’s a road grader.

Essentially the Olineman on that line.

Stick him in front of the net to create havoc and screen the goalie.

[VilleN]

Originally Posted by Paulie Walnuts

It does feel like he is sabotaging the lineup with his odd choices sitting better players for his buddy Lucic. It feels that way but its hard to believe it would be something someone would do.

I think the frustrating part is that Lucic is gifted a spot in the lineup but young players and better players who have earned to be in the lineup sit.

Pelletier has been playing on the top line... he's given plenty of chances to other players. Phillips wasn't good enough, Mackey wasn't good enough. Lucic is the least of our worries. We can't score -Huberdeau, Kadri, Lindholm, and Mangiapane need to step it up.

[Hockey_Ninja]

Originally Posted by Naitix

Huberdeau - Lindholm - Pelletier
Dube - Kadri - Toffoli
Mang - Backlund - Coleman
Ritchie - Lewis - Duehr

It ain't that hard

Nah, this makes too much sense. It’s not gonna happen

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by AFireInside

I don't understand why we didn't try Walker Duehr on that line then. He seems like a better player, and a better fit.

based on what though? Ritchie may not have lived up to the top 10 pick but he has been a steady NHLer

[Wastedyouth]

Originally Posted by Bingo

I don't necessarily disagree with you, but I'm shocked at your day in day out singular focus.

The choice for forward #12 just doesn't keep me up at night.

That forward plays nearly as many even strength minutes as the top 6.

That's not insignificant when he is utter trash at both ends of the ice.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by Wastedyouth

That forward plays nearly as many even strength minutes as the top 6.

That's not insignificant when he is utter trash at both ends of the ice.

Not really.

He's 13th in ice time since Feb 1st for forwards, 12th if you omit Brett Ritchie.

I think Sutter players his 4th line on average one shift more than the NHL average, but the bigger culprit for top six ice time is the third line which gets almost a minute more than lines 1 and 2.

[Wastedyouth]

Originally Posted by Bingo

As I've said all along there is an element of intangibles that has to play into it. So the quick dismissal of some fans doesn't work for me.

But he's struggled, and I agree there are better options.

But he's averaging 10.5 minutes not 12-13

He's averaging 11.05. Only a minute less at 5v5 than the top line players.

Compare this to top teams like Boston or Tampa or Colorado etc and you see a much more sensible disparity from Top 6 to bottom 3 of 3-4 minutes.

That is 3-4 minutes in a game where this team is literally tripping over themselves in their own zone and struggling to not only not score, but not get scored on themselves. Shelled really.

Our Top 9 players are actually extremely effective at 5v5. They should be rolled heavily all game with the bottom line limited to 8-9 mins max of 5v5 ice time. They are trash and actively hindering the team from winning night in an night out.

[flamesgod]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Not really.

He's 13th in ice time since Feb 1st for forwards, 12th if you omit Brett Ritchie.

I think Sutter players his 4th line on average one shift more than the NHL average, but the bigger culprit for top six ice time is the third line which gets almost a minute more than lines 1 and 2.

That probably just means they are Sutters top line.