Speculation: 2018-19 Roster Speculation Pt. 4: Started from the bottom now we're kinda sorta here

[UnleashRasmus]

How has Puljujarvi looked?

He's currently in the dog house. He definitely still shows good speed up ice, and has a decent shot. However, Edmonton at times KILLS players and won't allow them to be who they are.

 

[OkimLom]

I dunno if putting a young center at center is necessarily a matter of "rushing" really. Sometimes easing in at wing is better, sometimes it isn't. Maybe that's just not what they feel would be best for Casey developmentally.

And that's fine if they made that decision, but that decision shouldn't be etched in stone just 47 games into his career . If a player is not showing any real progress, then you may need to review the situation, and determine if they should continue for the moment. At least see if he responds being put on the wing and if that jump starts him. He might find that bit of confidence in his game playing the wing, with less pressure on him, that could catapult him into playing better at center down the road. I'm not asking for him being stapled at wing for the rest of his career, but I'm asking for flexibility. You have a guy in Eichel on your team who can do wonders for your young players. He can provide them that confidence, which we have seen over and over again can make a difference for a player.

His best performances came during the his time with Sheary and Reinhart. Since then, he really hasn't put together a string of games where he has played well, and IMO, he hasn't put together a solid game. He has shown flashes and moments, but not that full game.

I'm not even down on him as a player. I like Casey, IMO, he could become just as good as Kucherov and have the same impact on the game (even if one is a winger and one is a center) if developed well. Again, MY opinion.

 

[Buf fan in Nash]

Here's hoping that it starts with Avangard Omsk.

I for one would like to ship him off to Metallurg Magnitogorsk

 

[UnleashRasmus]

I for one would like to ship him off to Metallurg Magnitogorsk

I'm good with that too!

 

[Hasekperreault23]

Trading away first round picks for a rental is a good way of prolonging the rebuild a couple of years.

Yes if you are talking 3rd liners Duchene is not that

 

[Hasekperreault23]

I wouldn't mind seeing Mitts with Skinner and Reinhardt to see if they can elevate his game and Eichel back with Pominville and Sheary

No eichel shouldn't be left playing with garbage like he has done every year

 

[Icicle]

Skinner-Eichel-Thompson
Sheary-Mittelstadt-Reinhart
Smith-Sobotka-Pominville
Girgensons-Larsson-Okposo
Wilson

Do I think Sobotka should be benched and Girgensons at center and Wilson on fourth line? Yes. But I don’t see the coach benching Sobotka yet unfortunately.

 

[CatsforReinhart]

I for one would like to ship him off to Metallurg Magnitogorsk

doesn't matter if its Duchene or Crosby if it is a rental it slows your progress when they don't resign and you trade away 1sts

 

[CatsforReinhart]

Has Okposo submitted his 15 team M-NTC list for this season?

You would probably get farther if you had teams submit who would want him. My guess is the phone is silent

 

[Royal Thunder]

Skinner-Eichel-Thompson
Sheary-Mittelstadt-Reinhart
Smith-Sobotka-Pominville
Girgensons-Larsson-Okposo
Wilson

Do I think Sobotka should be benched and Girgensons at center and Wilson on fourth line? Yes. But I don’t see the coach benching Sobotka yet unfortunately.

As meh as Sobotka has been, Pominville has been far worse and him or Elie should be scratched first. I thought Sobotka played pretty well last night honestly, he's just being played too high in the lineup.

 

[UnleashRasmus]

As meh as Sobotka has been, Pominville has been far worse and him or Elie should be scratched first. I thought Sobotka played pretty well last night honestly, he's just being played too high in the lineup.

To me it's the skating of Pominville. Again, god rest his soul because he's been such a trooper for Buffalo for his long tenure. However, thank god he's done after this season on the books.

 

[Dubi Doo]

As meh as Sobotka has been, Pominville has been far worse and him or Elie should be scratched first. I thought Sobotka played pretty well last night honestly, he's just being played too high in the lineup.

Sobotka played great last night. He was putting forth much more effort. Hopefully it continues. Kinda reminds me of Rob Neidermayer's tenure here. He coasted through the season, but once the meaningful games in April hit he played much better.

I think Sobotka is doing the same thing. Yesterday was an extremely important game, and the coaching staff leaned on him heavily. If he can play like he did yesterday I have no problem giving him a roster spot this year.

You have to think Housley notices how useless Pominville is away from Eichel. Once Wilson and Girgs come back, then choice should be easy. Remi put on waivers, and Pominville in the presser.

 

[CrazyPsycho]

Sobotka played great last night. He was putting forth much more effort. Hopefully it continues. Kinda reminds me of Rob Neidermayer's tenure here. He coasted through the season, but once the meaningful games in April hit he played much better.

I think Sobotka is doing the same thing. Yesterday was an extremely important game, and the coaching staff leaned on him heavily. If he can play like he did yesterday I have no problem giving him a roster spot this year.

You have to think Housley notices how useless Pominville is away from Eichel. Once Wilson and Girgs come back, then choice should be easy. Remi put on waivers, and Pominville in the presser.

Good point on Sobotka

 

[Dex]

This may have been said upthread, but while Eichel is out, I'd like to see Mitts between Skinner and Sam. Who know, might give the kid some confidence. If they click, might provide an opportunity to do a Sheary - Eichel - Tage for a game or so when Eichel gets back.

 

[Woodhouse]

This may have been said upthread, but while Eichel is out, I'd like to see Mitts between Skinner and Sam. Who know, might give the kid some confidence. If they click, might provide an opportunity to do a Sheary - Eichel - Tage for a game or so when Eichel gets back.

Mittelstadt had a brief shot with them after GA2 last night and they were hemmed in for the entire shift, like a full minute almost. Look at the events logged in the 270's if you need a timestamp for a replay/refresher.

 

[CatsforReinhart]

Mittelstadt had a brief shot with them after GA2 last night and they were hemmed in for the entire shift, like a full minute almost. Look at the events logged in the 270's if you need a timestamp for a replay/refresher.

One shift is enough.

 

[Sabresfansince1980]

When Eichel is back...

Offensive - Skinner-Eichel-Thompson
Defensive - Elie-Sobotka-Rodrigues/Pominville
Offensive - Sheary-Mittelstadt-Reinhart
Defensive - Smith-Larsson-Okposo

If everyone is ever healthy...

Skinner-Eichel-Thompson
Wilson/Smith-Sobotka-Rodrigues/Pominville
Sheary-Mittelstadt-Reinhart
Girgensons-Larsson-Okposo
(Elie waived)

McCabe-Ristolainen
Dahlin-Bogosian
Pilut-Beaulieu
Scandella, Nelson

That's still an extra player, so either Smith is sent back to Rochester or one of Scandella, Beaulieu or Nelson gets traded at the TDL (Scandella I hope, but he has an extra year so probably not).

 

[Woodhouse]

If Eichel's healthy, his line should be getting every OZ start they're not gassed for, which impacts the regularity of Mittelstadt's shifts. Mittelstadt also can't eat into any of the Larsson/Sobotka center TOI since any d-zone start will be wasted if he loses the draw or possession doesn't quickly exit the zone. Those shifts most likely end with either Hutton/Ullmark frozen pucks or one of dump-and-change or perimeter shot frozen. Housley has to stick with the OZ, NZ, or on-the-fly starts for him, and if he's cheaply giving pucks up, you're putting him out there less and less and not with high 5v5 TOI guys in Skinner and Reinhart. This isn't to say that E-Rod should be there either, but there's really no internal stopgap and that's a roster construction problem even with Berglund.

 

[Team Cozens]

We’d have to take money back since they are at the cap. So it would be unlikely to work in our favor.

Taking that Drai contract would really help Edmonton.

 

[Washed Up 29YearOld]

I would never separate Skinner/Eichel at this point, they're magic together and form one of the best duos in the entire league. Why mess with that? I wouldn't try to fix what's not broken which has proven to be extremely successful with amazing chemistry and so offensively potent. Why tinker with one of the hottest duos in the league? Teams should have one stacked, strong 1st line imo then the secondary scoring is built around that. Skinner-Eichel-Olofsson let's see it!! VO can switch to RW. Not a scout but played and I see that line as deadly if they click. The team's two best shooters with maybe the best playmaker in the league. Anyone can play with Skinner/Eichel but the goal should be maximizing player's strengths. Let Reinhart get points without easy passes to Eichel which in total honesty many of which I can make.

 

[HaNotsri]

Pirri has crushed the AHL this year, gets called up and scores 6 goals, 9pts in 7 games.
GMGM sends him down again, probably to save games before he has to go through waivers and since he’s afraid to let go of some other scrub.
Some funny posts over at the Vegas board.
Puts the Pilut scratch in perspective.

Anyway, trade target?

 

[CatsforReinhart]

Pirri has crushed the AHL this year, gets called up and scores 6 goals, 9pts in 7 games.
GMGM sends him down again, probably to save games before he has to go through waivers and since he’s afraid to let go of some other scrub.
Some funny posts over at the Vegas board.
Puts the Pilut scratch in perspective.

Anyway, trade target?

Crazy the guy has 6 goals in 7 games and they send him back down. Can't see Vegas trading him. They will never get the value for him.

 

[Icicle]

As meh as Sobotka has been, Pominville has been far worse and him or Elie should be scratched first. I thought Sobotka played pretty well last night honestly, he's just being played too high in the lineup.

Don’t worry, I’m a big Rodrigues fan and I didn’t even include him because his play has been so forgettable lately.

Sobotka is not a liability, but he kills offense. He’s really good at flubbing his opportunities. We would be better without him in most cases.

 

[darcyRegier]

Some of Casey's best games this year were with Tage on his line, I'd like to see those two back together with Sheary or Reinhart

 

[Icicle]

This may have been said upthread, but while Eichel is out, I'd like to see Mitts between Skinner and Sam. Who know, might give the kid some confidence. If they click, might provide an opportunity to do a Sheary - Eichel - Tage for a game or so when Eichel gets back.

After each PK in the Florida game Housley did that since Rodrigues was usually gassed from the PK. Only for a few shifts.