SprDaVE
Moderator
- Sep 20, 2008
- 52,683
- 34,685
I haven't watched many Marlies games so far, but can someone who has, tell me how Bracco is playing?
Clearly, his offense hasn't taken a step forward, but is that because he's is playing a better 200ft game?
He's more committed to the defensive zone, but he's not exactly "great" at it. Still, attitude is a good first step to improvement.
As for the lack of offense, the Marlies have had some injuries down the middle, so he's been kind of rotating through centers... And usually they aren't great ones. I don't think he gets Engvall often, so he's usually getting either Elynuik, Gaudet, MacMaster, etc. That is probably the biggest factor, but when he's played with Agostino and Brooks, he's been very good at both ES and of course PP.
I think he's been better this year, and his production is not as "empty" as people claimed it to be last year.
Good news for the Marlies. Marchment looks like he'll be ready in the next little bit.
Clune playing defense now?
Some high praise by Keefe on Lilly, but anyone who has watched since Feb, this is not a surprise. He's been their best defenceman during that time frame.
Him saying Schmaltz and Harpur have struggled at times matches what I've seen as well.
Even Wheeler who has been a critic of Lilly the last year or so, says he's been amazing, and has been a borderline dominant defensive player.That’s some high praise from Keefe, but nothing new to those of us that watch.
If Wheeler’s first tweet of the day reads correctly, Marchment is wearing a non-contact jersey, but Liljegren and Aberg are wearing normal/contact jerseys? If that’s the case, that is great news. I might still hold Liljegren out one more game though, just because of what happened last time he had a lower body injury. Hopefully this staff doesn’t clear him for games until he’s truly 100% healthy this time.
Some high praise by Keefe on Lilly, but anyone who has watched since Feb, this is not a surprise. He's been their best defenceman during that time frame.
Him saying Schmaltz and Harpur have struggled at times matches what I've seen as well.
I don't think Harpur has been too bad either, but he's had a few struggles. Schmaltz has been worse for sure.Pretty much what I've been seeing too. Harpur and Schmaltz have struggled but they have also been very good too. It's mostly a consistency thing with them. Lindgren too, at a much lesser degree. He could be a guy who is NHL ready by next year, even if it's a mid-season call up. The others, like Kivihalme and Gravel, have mostly just been disappointing. Kivihalme should continue to be given opportunities, especially over Gravel, but I think Harpur has been better overall.
Even Wheeler who has been a critic of Lilly the last year or so, says he's been amazing, and has been a borderline dominant defensive player.
I'm not sure I agree with Keefe on the increased PP time though. He's still on the 2nd PP and as we know, Keefe doesn't split the 2 minutes like Babcock does, but the shot comment is accurate. In practice today, Lilly was on the 2nd pairing so have to assume he's in tomorrow, plus with Sandin probably out, he gets a chance on the 1st PP unit.
Marlies are facing a heavy forechecking team tomorrow in the Rocket, so I would have kept Lilly out. It's not the best game to get him back in, but I'm going to trust the medical staff on this one, plus this is his 4th skate, so he should be fine.
I wasn't really saying to evaluate him. I was talking in general. I would also not have him play tomorrow, but maybe Keefe will ease him in.First game off an injury, not a great time to evaluate Liljegren on the top PP, but cool for him if it happens. He already showed he could handle the role the first couple games of the year when Sandin was out.
Forgot it was against the Rocket, yeah holding him out another game to get his legs back under him would be the safe move.
Some high praise by Keefe on Lilly, but anyone who has watched since Feb, this is not a surprise. He's been their best defenceman during that time frame.
Him saying Schmaltz and Harpur have struggled at times matches what I've seen as well.
Jeffler tracked them but he is off social media for now.Is there a site or twitter feed that tracks corsi stats for ahl players? I remember someone posted someone's twitter which showed the corsi stats of the marlies after each game.