I find it very interesting to read everyone's take on last nights game and how the bubble and new players performed. While there seems to be a general consensus, the usual suspects seem to have a wider range of opinions. Some players seem to be more of a lightning rod for disagreement.
#1- Dano- He seems to have the most widespread opinions. Always has. I don't think he had a bad game at all. Probably his best game so far. This was a key game for him to show that he belongs and I just don't think he did enough. Maybe enough for last year, but others have pushed hard for the limited spots available. The only thing that might keep him in for the opening lineup is that he would have to clear waivers. I don't see him lasting long with the team, barring a huge turn around. This may be an important point. If he has won a spot this year, how long will it be before he is pushed out? Maybe we need to pump up his value and try to get something for him. The same might apply to Petan, to some extent. If he can be 3C this year (big if) he probably loses that spot to Roslovic next year anyway.
#2- Kulikov - Mostly negatives, but some think he's been ok. Many calling him the next Stu (Stulikov lol). I think that's a bit unfair, although very clever. I thought his game was good at times and not so great at times as well. I do believe that his game will improve once he settles in with the team. Does give us more depth. I thought Kuli was really good in the previous game. Not all that bad this game but not as good as the game before. Still a big upgrade on Stu. There is no Stulikov. Funny though.
#3- Kyle Connor- Pretty wide range of opinions here. Honestly, I just haven't seen enough from him so far. My gut says that he should go back to the Moose to start. I know there's arguments that he has nothing to prove there, but I just don't think he's done enough to earn a spot. If we do keep him, I think he plays 3rd line sheltered minutes, but with talented players that are creative, like MP and or Petan. He's a tough one to figure out where he needs to be to grow his game. My opinion is a little mixed. I think we keep him and he settles in fairly quickly. So far he really hasn't shown quite enough but we know there is more there.
#4- Nick Petan- If there's any one player I really want to see succeed, it's Nick. Opinions seem to be all over the place on him and I can see why. I think last night was his strongest game of the preseason. But did he show enough? Very close to call, but given the limited spots, maybe not. IMO, he really needs time with top players like last night. What I see is glimpses of his junior form, but just a touch off. He's holding on to the puck too long and needs to get better at dishing it off quicker. With him in the lineup, and Connor playing to his potential, we have 3 top notch scoring lines. I'm far from ready to give Petan away. But I agree that he has to play. Yes, he needs to be better but I think he has been good enough. I want to see him start the season with MP and Armia. If the line doesn't click right off the bat, stick with it for a while.
#5- Mason- I thought he was pretty solid. That second goal was probably deflected and was kind of hard to get a bead on it. What really bugs me is that for a guy who has been touted as a puck handling goalie, he sure had some shaky moments out there. Let's hope that it's just an adjustment period and that will fix itself as we go on. But I'm really, really tired of having goaltenders that create problems every time they venture out of their net or play the puck. (Berdin??) I thought he was a little 'off' for the first half of the game, fighting the puck. Improved later.
#6- Lowery- probably the widest range of opinions and a lightning rod for heated arguments around here. I've always liked Lowery and what he brings. He's good at face offs, strong on the puck in the dirty zones and creates havoc in front of the net. A bit more scoring touch would help a lot. It's tougher this year to justify his spot. But he adds a lot of toughness and those other qualities that we just don't get from anyone else. For that reason, he makes the team, IMO. I see him as our fallback 3C if everyone else fails. He is OK there but needs more offense to really be a 3C. Longer term I see him as a 4C and a very good one.
Guys we all agree on
Poolman- pretty obvious he's already an NHLer. Just a matter of time before he moves up the depth chart.
Lipon- the surprise of TC as far as I'm concerned. Probably earned another game and quite possibly a spot. Definitely will be one of the first call ups. I have him as my choice for 4RW to start the season.
Tanev- I was ready to have him shipped down with the initial cuts. He certainly made the most out of his opportunity didn't he? I thought his line sparked the team in the first period and finished with a really good 3rd. I agree with a previous post that we know what he brings and one game shouldn't change much. But I think he's earned another game. He looks better than last year to me. Has earned a PB spot.
Copp- His game has grown and was very solid. I can't see us starting without him Oct 3rd. If all was to go the way I hope he would be 4LW but if Petan can't handle 3C I have Copp there before Lowry.
All in all, there's much to like about this team this year. This preseason has a very different feel to it than the others. I really like the way we spread out the talent over 3 lines last night. I hope this is the way we go and have a speedy 4th checking line.
Some very tough decisions to be made. At the same time, any of the guys that get sent down add to our depth when injuries inevitably start to happen. (Barring waivers)
