I don't think he's a good fit on RW. The acquisition of PMB has completely ****ed up Grabner and Bailey, IMO. They are not playing where they should because Cappy insists on having PMB as the 2nd line LW.
PMB has played better than BOTH Grabner and Bailey of late. Sure, he's getting prime minutes, even more PP time than both, but Bailey hasn't exactly stepped up their game or effort level. Bailey's been a tentative, perimeter player the last 7-8 games (most of the games, anyway). He's best when he's involved in the game, initiating contact, cycling and using his offensive skills to make plays. He's gotten away from that. Doesn't help that PMB-Nielsen are among the worst linemates for Bailey.
Grabner has improved his game so much from his first year (yes, even though he scored 34 goals). He's a pretty solid all-around player now. Not a Selke candidate by any stretch, but he back-checks hard, he hits, he hustles all the time, he's carrying the puck more and his passing is far better than it used to be. Capuano NEEDS TO SEE THIS and reward Grabs with more minutes and more offensive linemates.
Solid win, should have had more goals considering the Preds didn't look/play so good. Their goalie gave up a lot of big rebounds in front of the net, unfortunately our guys couldn't get to it or didn't get a good shot off. I think we had 77 shot attempts, only 33 shots hit the net.
Like I said before the game if Brock plays well with Tavares, which looks like a very good fit at the moment I would keep him there. I love the kids puck control, he's similar to Tavares with stick handling and along the boards, smart player.
Let's get the Bailey-Nielsen-Okposo line back together when Vanek comes back. Will have 2 very good lines.
Vanek-Tavares-Nelson
Bailey-Nielsen-Okposo
Grabner-Cizikas-Clutterbuck
Martin-Regin-McDonald
LOVE these lines.
I think Cizikas, McDonald, Clutterbuck played their best hockey all season. They were total pests out there, gave Weber, Jones, Klein, Ellis FITS on the forecheck and cycle. Even Regin played effectively on the forecheck and defensively - too bad his offense is non-existent.
Regin seems like a very likable player and hard worker. He reminds me a lot of Sergei Nemchinov in his Isles-stint. Unheralded player, didn't do much offensively, but was pretty effective and rarely made mistakes, took bad penalties. Serviceable, unspectacular.
I just wish Capuano would use his best weapons in roles best suited to them.
I'm not gonna research it, but I bet Nielsen has assisted on no less than five of Tavares' eight goals. I'm thinking it might be more than that.
Speaking of JT, who else has sometimes seen Nelson curving with the puck the last few times and thought it was JT? I sure hope Brock is taking in every day he gets to watch and work with John. From the height to the stick work to the skating style, that's EXACTLY who Brock should be looking to emulate at all times.
Nielsen is a great passer. He'd be an amazing winger for JT in every way. Not likely to happen though.
Brock does play a bit like JT out there, at times, not nearly as good but similar in their on-ice tendencies with the puck - and yes, that's a huge compliment to Nelson. Nelson seemed tentative at first, like he didn't want to make a mistake. Plus he didn't get many minutes and often with energy-type players. And that's not really his game.
I recall Cappy talking about Nelson and Donovan and how he wanted to see them play THEIR GAME. The style they played in Bridgeport, the reason they are in the NHL now. To carry the puck more, try creating offense, don't always make the safe play. That's what many of us mean by putting players into situations where they can succeed and not trying to snuff all the creativity/offense solely to create another "safe" player.
I kinda blame Cap on that as well though, because it's talking out of both sides of his mouth, by limiting a player's minutes (or healthy scratch) while at the same time wanting them to do more.
Patience. I suppose.
I think Donovan is improving every game. Same for Nelson. Playing him with JT makes so much sense and does so much for his confidence. He was a different player vs. Nashville, hopefully a sign of things to come.
