Or you could keep a line together that works, instead of breaking up lines that in an attempt to get others going, give the lines that are working more ice time. You want more ice time? Earn it. IDC whose on the line, on game by game basis the lines that are working should get the most time in that game.fantilli and johnson have worked together when on the ice, but the lineup isn't "working" because that's been their best line and pazzy will only put them out there for 12 minutes a night.
therefore: putting fantilli on the top line isn't "breaking up what worked" – it's breaking up a lineup that isn't working by constructing a lineup that will force pazzy to give the good players more ice time than the bad ones.
and yet, pascal vincent is constantly giving ice time to veteran players who are underperforming anyway.You want more ice time? Earn it.
and yet, pascal vincent is constantly giving ice time to veteran players who are underperforming anyway.
i'm not saying they should go away from what's working, i'm saying they aren't going to the lines that are working enough.
either pascal has to change the way he's managing the lines, or the lines should do a better job of blending young guys with veterans so he doesn't lose the young guys in close games – which has been an issue all year.
Gudbranson: "Worth it"Gudbranson feeds Nick Cousins his lunch. Gets a 1 game suspension from George Parros for "not feeding him dinner too."
We'll see how it goes from here. I don't believe Bemstrom will play like this long term, also Gaaudreau and Laine will find their game. I think these 4 days off will help the team.Let's try using some actual numbers.
In the last ten games, the veteran who has most underperformed, Laine, is playing 14 minutes a night. That's exactly where Fantilli is at too. I don't have a big problem with that number for either of them. I'd like a minute or so more for Fantilli.
There's only 4 players above 14 minutes - each around 17 or 18. That's Gaudreau, Jenner, Marchenko, and Danforth. I think those are all solid players. We might be frustrated that Gaudreau isn't scoring more but I think he's at least a solid player right now. He's underperforming his contract but he's still good.
Kuraly is also playing about 14 minutes and I'd like to see that closer to 11 or 12. That would entail giving some of his hard shifts to Voronkov and Fantilli. The defensive results with Fantilli might not be pretty but I'd like to see him play more regardless.
I'd bring the numbers for Danforth and Gaudreau down a bit, Kuraly a lot, and give an extra couple minutes to the Russians and Fantilli + KJ + Bemstrom.
In the words of Brandon Prust: "Best money I've ever spent."Gudbranson: "Worth it"
Agree as to the 4th line when Danforth and Tex are both with Kuraly. Danforth adds an offensive boost to the trio that Olivier, Robby (when here) and Sillinger don’t. He makes that trio a formidable line.We'll see how it goes from here. I don't believe Bemstrom will play like this long term, also Gaaudreau and Laine will find their game. I think these 4 days off will help the team.
To Kuraly... it depends how much the team play in PK, rather in 5x5 he shouldn't play more than 10 minutes. It's just that Texier and Danforth (if Boone is right) are playing with him, which would reduce their time as well.