Manitoba Moose 2021 Season

[voyageur]

Harkins continues to pile up the points. Kind of surprised Spacek got called up instead.

Surprising too but with the Jets having offensive struggles, Spacek might be someone who can do something out there. He is a more creative player.

I also wonder if the Moose are trying to build chemistry. That is part of the development aspect.

Right now Chibisov-Harkins-Griffith have been leading the way. Keep building chemistry and they could make the jump as a line.

Also Veselainen seems to be going with Suess, and one of my faves, Skylar Mc Kenzie. These are better lines that what I saw earlier in the year. Conceivable that the former 2 could also make the jump in the internal competition.

Spacek was already getting lost in the mix, centering the 3rd line on the Moose. Might as well give him a chance in the bigs, as I think the spot to replace is Logan Shaw's, on the right side. Be surprised if he started at centre. But Spacek also has some chemistry with Apples from previous years, so maybe he slides in to Gustafsson's spot at some point.

I was looking around at some of the other rosters in the AHL Central and really the Moose probably have the best prospect pool in the division, Grand Rapids and San Antonio have some young stars, but we have quite a few young players developing on the farm, and I think that bodes well for the future, as well as the present.

 

[Joe Hallenback]

The Moose don't like to shoot that is for sure. Texas shoots from everywhere and anytime.
Berdin was good. I don't think he had to be a superstar last night even with the amount of shots he faced
Vesa seems to be rounding into form. Losing that east/west style and becoming more of that North/South power winger. His shot is so good
Harkins looks like a totally different player. Not sure what he did this off season but its working
Niku was good. He is a high level player at this level and it shows

 

[Guardian17]

 

[Mortimer Snerd]

The Moose don't like to shoot that is for sure. Texas shoots from everywhere and anytime.
Berdin was good. I don't think he had to be a superstar last night even with the amount of shots he faced
Vesa seems to be rounding into form. Losing that east/west style and becoming more of that North/South power winger. His shot is so good
Harkins looks like a totally different player. Not sure what he did this off season but its working
Niku was good. He is a high level player at this level and it shows

I think Harkins progress is not quite as sudden as it seems. He took a step forward last year too. With another step this year he is back on the radar.

 

[jefferoni]

Attaboy Jansen!

 

[Whileee]

The Moose don't like to shoot that is for sure. Texas shoots from everywhere and anytime.
Berdin was good. I don't think he had to be a superstar last night even with the amount of shots he faced
Vesa seems to be rounding into form. Losing that east/west style and becoming more of that North/South power winger. His shot is so good
Harkins looks like a totally different player. Not sure what he did this off season but its working
Niku was good. He is a high level player at this level and it shows

For Harkins it was mostly his lack of speed and pace of play that hindered him. He's trained himself into a much better skater and his experience is allowing him to make plays at a higher pace. Looks like a potential bottom 6 NHLer.

 

[Mortimer Snerd]

Attaboy Jansen!

Of those on that list, only Elvenes & Harkins are not career AHL'ers. Elvenes is the only one younger than Harkins.

 

[Rheged]

 

[Atoyot]

Tied 1-1 after two, Moose are getting outshot 32-12.

 

[JetsUK]

Tied 1-1 after two, Moose are getting outshot 32-12.

BLAME NIKU!!!

Good for Chibby. Has looked really good in the games I've seen. Wonder if/when he'll get a call-up.

 

[None]

Berdin goes 45/46 and is up to .925 on the season and Harkins on an 8 game point streak 3g 12a.

Vesalainen drew the penalty that led to the GWG in OT.

 

[RustyCat]

Berdin has been lights out good the last 5 games. Really coming into his own.

 

[jefferoni]

Just got home from the game. We were outplayed and outshot... and absolutely stole those 2 points!

Chibby was a beast, in both size and skill.

Berdin was fun to watch, however I'm not quite ready to get his name on a jersey. His positioning for the initial shot is solid but then he can get waaaay out of position and scrambly for any followup shots. IMO he's got a lot of work to do before being considered disciplined enough for the NHL.

EDIT: Highlights from the game...

 

[Jets4Life]

Berdin has been lights out good the last 5 games. Really coming into his own.

I call him "The Next One."

Hopefully he has a Hellebuyck level trajectory.

 

[Atoyot]

Berdin has been lights out good the last 5 games. Really coming into his own.

.984sv%, just to put an exact number to his past 5 games.

 

[Jets 31]

Really hope we get a look at Chibisov on the Jets soon , he has good size and seems to have some skill to go with it . Keep it up Berdin , man he's seen alot of rubber lately .

 

[puck stoppa]

Really hope we get a look at Chibisov on the Jets soon , he has good size and seems to have some skill to go with it . Keep it up Berdin , man he's seen alot of rubber lately .

He really should replace Luoto on the fourth line for the Jets.
Berdin was ready for AHL last year, glad we’ve moved on from Comrie to develop him. His raw skill is undeniable, he will only get better with proper coaching. I’ve been a fan for a while.

And I should add after Chib give Griff a few press box pay cheques, the guy has earned it. Leave Harkins down and let him keep rolling and gaining confidence for most of the season.

 

[Gil Fisher]

They should send down the Jets 4th line and call up the Moose first line. Just keep rotating the hot line in every month.

 

[Adam da bomb]

They should send down the Jets 4th line and call up the Moose first line. Just keep rotating the hot line in every month.

Except are 1st lines really known for attention to D. And being good while playing only 5 minutes?

 

[Mortimer Snerd]

He really should replace Luoto on the fourth line for the Jets.
Berdin was ready for AHL last year, glad we’ve moved on from Comrie to develop him. His raw skill is undeniable, he will only get better with proper coaching. I’ve been a fan for a while.

And I should add after Chib give Griff a few press box pay cheques, the guy has earned it. Leave Harkins down and let him keep rolling and gaining confidence for most of the season.

In that same vein, our whole 4th line needs to be swapped out. Gus is good defensively and he has come close a few times to getting some points but not close enough, often enough. Shaw has done nothing. Maybe he is slightly better at C, but I doubt it. Luoto has potential. Send him back to the Moose to develop it. Send all 3 down. Bring up Chibisov, Griffith and Lipon - yes, I said Lipon. He has 4th line talent, some speed, some scoring and grit. Give Spacek a trial at C, or Griffith. Maybe neither is right for the 4th line. In that case, give Suess another look.

Copp should centre a 10 minute 4th line but he is too important to Lowry's success. Ideally, what we need is a whole new, good 3rd line that can score. Copp and Lowry should be on the 4th line. Right now, that option just isn't there.

 

[JetsUK]

In that same vein, our whole 4th line needs to be swapped out. Gus is good defensively and he has come close a few times to getting some points but not close enough, often enough. Shaw has done nothing. Maybe he is slightly better at C, but I doubt it. Luoto has potential. Send him back to the Moose to develop it. Send all 3 down. Bring up Chibisov, Griffith and Lipon - yes, I said Lipon. He has 4th line talent, some speed, some scoring and grit. Give Spacek a trial at C, or Griffith. Maybe neither is right for the 4th line. In that case, give Suess another look.

Copp should centre a 10 minute 4th line but he is too important to Lowry's success. Ideally, what we need is a whole new, good 3rd line that can score. Copp and Lowry should be on the 4th line. Right now, that option just isn't there.

That would be a fun 4th line for sure -- imagine the havoc, even in the 5-6 mins they'd get.

In reading your post I realized that I'd completely forgotten that Logan Shaw was up with the Jets. I mean, we were at the Canucks game, and I didn't even register that he was on the ice. That's impact, baby.

 

[Mortimer Snerd]

That would be a fun 4th line for sure -- imagine the havoc, even in the 5-6 mins they'd get.

In reading your post I realized that I'd completely forgotten that Logan Shaw was up with the Jets. I mean, we were at the Canucks game, and I didn't even register that he was on the ice. That's impact, baby.

If we had a scoring 3rd line, lets say built around Little and Perreault with Appleton, we could have an outstanding checking 4th line of Copp - Lowry - Chibisov that could play 7-9 minutes at ES and PK for another 2-3 more. It would not be a 5-6 minute line.

I included Little there for illustration. IDK if he will ever play again. Maybe Roslovic could be a 3C, since it doesn't look like he will ever get a shot at 2C.

What bothers me is that I don't see any hint of Maurice wanting a bottom 6 like that. He seems to prefer a 3rd line of checking specialists and a 4th line of - IDK what.

I can understand liking the 3rd line we have that gets too many minutes to be called a 4th line because they are checking the opponents' 1st or 2nd lines. But if that is the preferred strategy, then it should be accompanied by a skilled 4th line that can play 10 minutes and score against its matchups.

 

[puck stoppa]

That would be a fun 4th line for sure -- imagine the havoc, even in the 5-6 mins they'd get.

In reading your post I realized that I'd completely forgotten that Logan Shaw was up with the Jets. I mean, we were at the Canucks game, and I didn't even register that he was on the ice. That's impact, baby.

That’s what coaches seem to want is for them not to be noticed, that means they’re not getting scored on. Maybe Jets think these guys are better in our zone than Griff and Chib? Only thing I can think of. But they rarely get a sustained forecheck going and are in our end a lot.

 

[puck stoppa]

If we had a scoring 3rd line, lets say built around Little and Perreault with Appleton, we could have an outstanding checking 4th line of Copp - Lowry - Chibisov that could play 7-9 minutes at ES and PK for another 2-3 more. It would not be a 5-6 minute line.

I included Little there for illustration. IDK if he will ever play again. Maybe Roslovic could be a 3C, since it doesn't look like he will ever get a shot at 2C.

What bothers me is that I don't see any hint of Maurice wanting a bottom 6 like that. He seems to prefer a 3rd line of checking specialists and a 4th line of - IDK what.

I can understand liking the 3rd line we have that gets too many minutes to be called a 4th line because they are checking the opponents' 1st or 2nd lines. But if that is the preferred strategy, then it should be accompanied by a skilled 4th line that can play 10 minutes and score against its matchups.

Good post
We are solid when healthy.
Perreault little Appleton
Copp Lowry Veselainen
That by end of the year looks solid to me.

 

[Gil Fisher]

Except are 1st lines really known for attention to D. And being good while playing only 5 minutes?

The problem with this reply is that it assumes that the Jets' current 4th line is any better defensively that the Moose top line and that the role of the Jets 4th line (at which it is failing) is anything more than to outplay the other team's 4th line for 5 minutes per night.