Jan 4 Practice - Jiri Hudler out vs Tampa. Raymond in.

[foshizzle11]

Well listening to Johnny and Sean talk in interviews, they have noticed that teams are focusing in more on their line. Playing them harder because they know they have to or they will put up points. Not only does Monahan play the toughest minutes most nights, he is seen by his peers as a threat, much more than last year.

I think he is adjusting well to that added pressure and if he gets anywhere near where he was last year in points I will be pretty happy and surprised. That means he is learning and growing and thriving under this added attention.

The team is lacking RW depth and this is really hurting our top line. If Hudler is gone for a while and there is no sign of Frolik coming back within the next month, BT should make a move. We can't keep on filling the 1st and 2nd line RW with bottom 6 players. I know we are still rebuilding but I am sure there is something out there that could be had.

[ScorchyScorch]

So where do we find a RW fill-in/replacement?

[sureLoss]

Roger Millions @RogMillions
Hearing Jiri Hudler will have MRI today to see the actual nature of his lower body injury. Expected to keep him out Tues vs TB #Flames

[AcGold]

Minnesota or Chicago have lots of right wingers that would fill in somewhere. Too bad Frolik is out so long.

[vicarious]

Originally Posted by ScorchyScorch

So where do we find a RW fill-in/replacement?

Hudler, Wideman, Raymond + prospects and picks for Stamkos

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by ScorchyScorch

So where do we find a RW fill-in/replacement?

Draft and trade! UFA RW's are weaksauce. Jones is near the top of the UFA RW list.

outside of Jones, notables would be Vrbata, Doan, Brouwer, Okposo.

The RFA list looks to have some younger brighter lights but they're all likely to sign with their teams.

[Poe969]

Okposo would be a dream if his rumored asking price wasn't so much. He would be an amazing top line RW but I think he's worth about 5 mil or so tops. I honestly wouldn't mind Doan on the team but he'd ask too much too.

[dammage79]

It's also Hudlers Birthday!

[dammage79]

Out of any, I'd love to get Vrbata. He doesn't have too much Canucks stench on him.

[keenan87]

Originally Posted by dammage79

It's also Hudlers Birthday!

and April Fool's Day ... 1/4/2016 ..

[ScorchyScorch]

Okposo would suffice.

Man I hope Brad swings something to address that position soon.

Playing energy/grinds on the top line sucks. We're just playing musical chairs for who will be Gaudreau's next anchor. Get him a real winger already.

[heep223]

Originally Posted by Finger Cookin

Johnny has taken 2 faceoffs all season, and is 50/50. Monahan has taken 837 faceoffs, and is at 49.5%.

I think he was saying "on the positive side, Monahan is playing well defensively and is getting better at faceoffs". Compared to the negative of Johnny having more hits than him.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by AcGold

the possession idea comes from the fact that he's one of the better board play guys on our team, him and Backlund. Obviously the small guy isn't the best one when he's not playing. Who else should be moved that won't disrupt the lineup?

Board work is fine, but it doesn't lead to scoring chances very often so it's irrelevant. He's one of the worst possession players on the team too. He doesn't make anyone better either.

Better candidates are Ferland, Raymond, Bennett, Jooris

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by AcGold

the possession idea comes from the fact that he's one of the better board play guys on our team, him and Backlund. Obviously the small guy isn't the best one when he's not playing. Who else should be moved that won't disrupt the lineup?

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

Board work is fine, but it doesn't lead to scoring chances very often so it's irrelevant. He's one of the worst possession players on the team too. He doesn't make anyone better either.

Better candidates are Ferland, Raymond, Bennett, Jooris

You two are obviously talking about two different definitions of possession. Colborne is better than a lot of guys in getting the puck and keeping it down low. But he doesn't generate a lot of shots, which in advanced stats apparently = possession. All four guys mentioned by Street shoot a lot, except maybe Jooris. Raymond has 4 less shots but 10 less games. I don't know who generates more shots for their lines but I'm betting its the same.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

You two are obviously talking about two different definitions of possession. Colborne is better than a lot of guys in getting the puck and keeping it down low. But he doesn't generate a lot of shots, which in advanced stats apparently = possession. All four guys mentioned by Street shoot a lot, except maybe Jooris. Raymond has 4 less shots but 10 less games. I don't know who generates more shots for their lines but I'm betting its the same.

Ignore "advanced stats" and look at actual possession. Once every three games Colborne holds the puck on the wall and that's a good possession player despite the fact he always carries it and loses it? Or takes it off the boards and loses it? Or dumps it in and gives away possession? Or is on the ice for way more time in his own zone? Sorry, but there's no definition that makes Colborne a good possession player.

Let's pretend that Colborne is good at actual possession. How does that matter if he can't get the puck to the net? Georges Laracque was perhaps the best at keep away on the boards, but wasn't a good hockey player. Possession by any definition requires more than holding the puck along the boards in the offensive zone.

[Weitz]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

Ignore "advanced stats" and look at actual possession. Once every three games Colborne holds the puck on the wall and that's a good possession player despite the fact he always carries it and loses it? Or takes it off the boards and loses it? Or dumps it in and gives away possession? Or is on the ice for way more time in his own zone? Sorry, but there's no definition that makes Colborne a good possession player.

Let's pretend that Colborne is good at actual possession. How does that matter if he can't get the puck to the net? Georges Laracque was perhaps the best at keep away on the boards, but wasn't a good hockey player. Possession by any definition requires more than holding the puck along the boards in the offensive zone.

Only thing he was probably good at. Reminds me of thinking, geez if he could only skate/pass/shoot/do anything as well as he keeps the puck on the boards..

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

Ignore "advanced stats" and look at actual possession. Once every three games Colborne holds the puck on the wall and that's a good possession player despite the fact he always carries it and loses it? Or takes it off the boards and loses it? Or dumps it in and gives away possession? Or is on the ice for way more time in his own zone? Sorry, but there's no definition that makes Colborne a good possession player.

Let's pretend that Colborne is good at actual possession. How does that matter if he can't get the puck to the net? Georges Laracque was perhaps the best at keep away on the boards, but wasn't a good hockey player. Possession by any definition requires more than holding the puck along the boards in the offensive zone.

Actual advanced stats put Colborne in the bottom half of the team if I read them correctly (which is iffy). But then again, he's near Monahan in all of them.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Weitz

Only thing he was probably good at. Reminds me of thinking, geez if he could only skate/pass/shoot/do anything as well as he keeps the puck on the boards..

I can think of one other thing he was good at.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Actual advanced stats put Colborne in the bottom half of the team if I read them correctly (which is iffy). But then again, he's near Monahan in all of them.

And by all accounts, Monahan hasn't been very good. However, Monahan gets to defenders and shutdown lines and Colborne doesn't. Monahan's scoring numbers this year have been propped up by playing with Johnny, but his possession numbers have been bad

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

And by all accounts, Monahan hasn't been very good. However, Monahan gets to defenders and shutdown lines and Colborne doesn't. Monahan's scoring numbers this year have been propped up by playing with Johnny, but his possession numbers have been bad

In fairness, Colborne has been matched up against top offensive lines a fair bit (against Anaheim for example). Sometimes this was because he was playing with Stajan, and sometimes because he was playing with Backlund.