Gonna write my thoughts about last night's game here...
- Looks like lots of comments and people jumping the gun already. Probably the excitement of the new season, sorta funny to see.
- F Line 1 - Z and Terry look generally solid and often threats to score. Clearly separate themselves from teammates in terms of being dangerous. Z also putting more effort at D (not that I felt he didn't before honestly). Henrique looked ok usually. I do feel if we signed him for another couple of years at a lower value he'd still be a functional player for us.
- F Line 2 - Agree McT was sorta absent first period. My dad and I were watching together and we both commented that he was the least noticeable on his line in the first. But overall that line was quite good, Strome even picked up his play in the 2nd half and was active, maybe the first time since he has worn a Ducks uniform that I liked his play. I've liked Vatrano since he got here, hard effort the entire game and I don't get the people that want him gone.
- F Line 3 - Silf looked better in general than pretty much all of last year. Looks like he might finally be fully healed. Still not really dangerous offensively. I've been wanting Groulx to succeed since his first game. Maybe he just needs better teammates but maybe also he might only ever be close to replacement level. At least he seems responsible defensively. Jones IMO was like McT first period, sort of invisible, but picked up his physicality later. I've always liked him. Good penalty draw also, gotten by pissing people off XD
- F Line 4 - I continue to love Carrick. His stat card doesn't look great, but man did he get screwed with the calls. Glad he didn't get a game misconduct, pretty obvious he wasn't meaning to hit head and pulled up.
- D Line 1 - Cam def didn't have a good game. I still think some people underrate him in the bigger picture, but I agree on taking him off the 1PP unit, at least while we have some more dynamic quarterbacks. But I think in general he'll usually have solid games. Glad Drys wasn't shying away from hits...definitely took more than he gave physically, but he was mobile and active, and hoping that translates over the long term to becoming the top line D we've been hoping he would be. Don't like this pairing either, but given the other pairs, probably necessary right now.
- D Line 2 - Gudas is a beast. In my mind (outside of the end of first blip, but come on, Cam should have stepped in to back him up) he's already earned his contract. We 100% needed a player (or two) like him. And outside of LaCombe's mishandle for that Stone steal and almost-goal, that guy is so smooth under pressure...uses his body so well to shield the puck, and is fun to see jumping up and being an offensive threat. If he plays like this regularly (which I think he does), he stays.
- D Line 3 - Holy crap Minty's and Bush's stat cards are awful. My eye test maybe failed here? I wasn't paying a ton of attention to Bush but he looked generally responsible. Minty though, he was physical, he was energetic, I liked his decisions on when to jump up. I think he's going to be awesome. I like his willingness to shoot, but think he might need to settle down a bit in that respect and choose some better times on that. But very pleased with his play.
- Side notes - Glad Gibby didn't give up. Looked pretty solid. Hoping to see Luneau but feel he definitely needs an extra year of seasoning. Can't wait for Leo to be here.
Overall, despite the disparity in shots, I felt this game wasn't nearly as bad as the score indicated, and I'm pleased with the direction of the club. Thinking Cronin is what we needed.
