Eh, Lebda got badly exposed when he played on the second pairing, let alone the first. Lebda was also strictly an EVS bottom pairing d-man. Lashoff plays big PK minutes. I am holding off on forming an opinion on Lashoff, however I do like that he's getting ice time and want to see how he develops over the course of the season.
That's a point I have made in the past; Lebda was terrible, and he was even worse if you tried to bump him up the lineup. Like Toronto did. What was it eklund said, 40 points for Lebda?
Lashoff we know is a decent defensive player. How good can he be? We don't know. Apparently Babcock thinks now is the time to find out. I think he could become a solid top-four guy, but he sure as **** hasn't been that this year.
I didn't like Emmerton last season but he's definitely grown on me this year. People want youth but then get upset when youth has some growing pains getting accustomed to playing at the highest levels of the sport. Relax, be patient and let's see what happens.
Some people need to listen to me more when I say "this player is good, give him a year or two" like I did about Emmerton. Not naming names or anything.
I knew Kindl would be scratched after those three penalties in the first last game. Tough break for him.
Wouldn't have happened to Lashoff or Cleary. It's a shame when your coach refuses to recognize when certain players are being vastly outplayed or are playing very well and refuses to change his usage of them because they are either on his favorites list or his list of whipping boys.
He should be given a good look before they decide to trade/waive him.
Assuming we have the roster space to do so. When everyone's healthy, they would have to send down Brunner in order to play Mursak and not waive anyone. Of forwards Mursak is probably first on waivers, then Eaves/Miller in some order, then Emmerton.