GDT: 10/5/23 - 7:00PM EDT - Florida vs Tampa Bay [Preseason Game 6]

[DistantThunderRep]

Uh Oh, Kuch get up.

 

[DFC]

Lol, Espo's reactions, how disappointed he is in a meaningless game, is probably what made him such a great player.

 

[TheDaysOf 04]

wish we had replays

 

[FlyerNutter]

What Would Kevin Costner Do?

Tatonka

 

[Sky04]

Motte had a worse showing than any prospect

 

[DistantThunderRep]

Tatonka

????????????

 

[JFleegs]

merelä really never got a chance with decent linemates. bet he is getting sent down after this

And he still showed more than ABB

 

[TheDaysOf 04]

Bleh. Bad game all around. Forget the score, nobody could hold on to the puck for more than a second before turning it over to Florida.

Good news is we still have time to work on ourselves and a 7th preseason game to go into the season hopefully on something positive.

 

[Felonious Python]

And he still showed more than ABB

Can't be a finisher if you don't shoot the puck.

 

[Rschmitz]

Preseason blah blah blah but I hope our strategy this season doesn't involve giving up 50+ shots a game with career AHL netminders

 

[TheDaysOf 04]

Johansson gets the last start too, so the ball is in his court to win the starters job if he can have another solid outing, instead of maybe doing a 1A-1B split with Tomkins.

 

[Major4Boarding]

Also did you watch the 2 episodes of Shoresy Season 2 yet? f***ing Yanks.

I’m still stuck with S1 EPS 1-6, man! BroDude

Who Lou?

 

[JTBF81]

Eh, they were always going to have at least one putrid preseason game, no big deal(well, unless you're Byrd, who's no doubt planning his next long winded, sky is falling chapter as I type). I still think the best looking lines might be:
Hagel-Point-Kuch
Stamkos-Paul-ABB
Jeannot-Cirelli-Ace/Sheary
Motte-Glendening-Sheary/Ace
Merela as 1st call up and slotting in plenty on 3RW/4RW.

Hedman-Perbix
Serg-Cernak
De Haan-Raddysh(although Raddysh could play up if they wanted him with either Hedman or Serg.

 

[Ducati Boy]

I actually think there is something to the 'let the rookie goalie face a lot of shots' game plan. I've seen and heard it before.

 

[LightningStrikes]

How has Motte looked? I see he had 3 blocks.

 

[Peacefool]

How has Motte looked? I see he had 3 blocks.

I never saw him at this game, even though he was on ice

 

[Crunchrulz]

Eh, they were always going to have at least one putrid preseason game, no big deal(well, unless you're Byrd, who's no doubt planning his next long winded, sky is falling chapter as I type). I still think the best looking lines might be:
Hagel-Point-Kuch
Stamkos-Paul-ABB
Jeannot-Cirelli-Ace/Sheary
Motte-Glendening-Sheary/Ace
Merela as 1st call up and slotting in plenty on 3RW/4RW.

Hedman-Perbix
Serg-Cernak
De Haan-Raddysh(although Raddysh could play up if they wanted him with either Hedman or Serg.

Merela in Syracuse should be as good a lock for first line as there is. His play in pre-season has more than earned him that opportunity at the AHL level, and playing against the top line of the opposing team will help his game far more than being the "sitting forward" in Tampa Bay.

Watson has earned a spot in the organization and should be offered at least a Syracuse AHL contract, if there is not Cap Space for an NHL two way contract from the Lightning. I highly doubt he is Waiver Claimed if sent down on a two way, and he gives the Crunch veteran leadership as well as the Lightning an option if Jeannot is injured.

Fortier should also be heading to Syracuse. He has shown flashes of good NHL play but needs a solid season at the AHL level to solidify his position within the organization.

Fleury is another player who should be heading to the Crunch. The Lighting like to have that extra defenseman but his play in preseason has not been impressive. In fact, when he is on the ice, regardless of who his partner is, it is one of those classic "close your eyes and hold your breath" shifts where you hope for the best but figure on the worst. If he is claimed, while highly doubtful, it would not be a season breaker as Myers, Carlile, and Day should be available for recall as needed.

 

[Tampa22]

Merela in Syracuse should be as good a lock for first line as there is. His play in pre-season has more than earned him that opportunity at the AHL level, and playing against the top line of the opposing team will help his game far more than being the "sitting forward" in Tampa Bay.

Watson has earned a spot in the organization and should be offered at least a Syracuse AHL contract, if there is not Cap Space for an NHL two way contract from the Lightning. I highly doubt he is Waiver Claimed if sent down on a two way, and he gives the Crunch veteran leadership as well as the Lightning an option if Jeannot is injured.

Fortier should also be heading to Syracuse. He has shown flashes of good NHL play but needs a solid season at the AHL level to solidify his position within the organization.

Fleury is another player who should be heading to the Crunch. The Lighting like to have that extra defenseman but his play in preseason has not been impressive. In fact, when he is on the ice, regardless of who his partner is, it is one of those classic "close your eyes and hold your breath" shifts where you hope for the best but figure on the worst. If he is claimed, while highly doubtful, it would not be a season breaker as Myers, Carlile, and Day should be available for recall as needed.

Agree with all, but just hope Watson get the contract and get a 4th line spot. He do what the coach staff wanted for a 4th liner. Finishing his checks, dropping the gloves and also scoring points, much more than other forwards who got lot of money and do nothing, unfortunately that happen often with that style of players.

 

[JTBF81]

Merela in Syracuse should be as good a lock for first line as there is. His play in pre-season has more than earned him that opportunity at the AHL level, and playing against the top line of the opposing team will help his game far more than being the "sitting forward" in Tampa Bay.

Watson has earned a spot in the organization and should be offered at least a Syracuse AHL contract, if there is not Cap Space for an NHL two way contract from the Lightning. I highly doubt he is Waiver Claimed if sent down on a two way, and he gives the Crunch veteran leadership as well as the Lightning an option if Jeannot is injured.

Fortier should also be heading to Syracuse. He has shown flashes of good NHL play but needs a solid season at the AHL level to solidify his position within the organization.

Fleury is another player who should be heading to the Crunch. The Lighting like to have that extra defenseman but his play in preseason has not been impressive. In fact, when he is on the ice, regardless of who his partner is, it is one of those classic "close your eyes and hold your breath" shifts where you hope for the best but figure on the worst. If he is claimed, while highly doubtful, it would not be a season breaker as Myers, Carlile, and Day should be available for recall as needed.

Yeah, it does seem more and more likely that Watson starts the year as the 13th F, with Merela 1st line in Syracuse. It wouldn't surprise though, if Merela lights it up with the Crunch, that he's with the big club at some point this season.

 

[Renopucker]

I never saw him at this game, even though he was on ice

Ace looked pretty good last night. Most everybody else looked like pylons IMO.