I disagree. I think Zaitsev needs a partner that can do the transitioning for him. Very limited sample size, but he has done a lot worse without Rielly/Gardiner (of course usage comes into picture here).
In my opinion, Dermott-Zaitsev should be the next combo. Gardiner-Rielly* should be the 1st pairing. Hainsey on the bottom-pairing, where he belongs, with either Rosen or Carrick, makes a well-rounded lineup.
Gardiner (#2) - Rielly (#1)*
Dermott (#3) - Zaitsev (#4)
Hainsey (#5) - Carrick (#5) OR Rosen (#5/6) - Hainsey (#5)
Honestly he looked the same this year as he did in his rookie year. Hopefully improves, but this wasn't regression in my eyes.People have to remember that a sophomore slump happens to a lot of players and being older doesn't exclude you from that. He also had an illness where I am sure affected his strength and being a defenseman that is a huge part of being effective. I don't think he had a horrible playoffs but if he regresses again this year there is cause for concern in the meantime I think we have to give him a break on having what I think was a hard off year
I'm not personally a big fan of asking Rielly to move to his offside. He just had a career year playing his strong side. That not say he can't play the right side, but I don't really wanna see it.
Maybe move Gardiner, but I'd be hestitant to do that as well tbh. Probably mostly because I don't see how their games balance played together. They both wanna play offense. The both wanna carry. I feel like playing them together will just hinder each other.
Yeah it would be smarter to get rid of him than gamble on him. He was terrible. The chances of a complete turnaround before his ntc kicks in is tinyThe problem with the “wait and see” approach is that he’s got a NTC that kicks in soon and an awful lot of term left on his contract
Yeah it would be smarter to get rid of him than gamble on him. He was terrible. The chances of a complete turnaround before his ntc kicks in is tiny
The problem with the “wait and see” approach is that he’s got a NTC that kicks in soon and an awful lot of term left on his contract
Even if we do end up wanting to trade him, which will depend on how he does this coming season, I can pretty much tell you his NTC list right now:Didnt realize he had a Ntc. Get him out of here asap.
Lol.The problem with the “wait and see” approach is that he’s got a NTC that kicks in soon and an awful lot of term left on his contract
I agree. Not ready to write him off just yet. Assuming he is healthy/in shape at start of season, I think we'll see an improvement over last. We had forwards not contributing in their own end and just got rid of a few of them. I feel our offense has improved from a defensive standpoint, so this season we should be able to see more clearly who isn't going to cut it.Lol.
His NTC doesn't kick in until after this season, and even then it is only a 10 team no trade list. People here are acting like it is a full NMC.
He had a lot to deal with last season, and people here have turned on him pretty hard after a good 1st season. I think he is more likely to return to his 2016-17 form than his 2017-18. He also had some of the toughest usage in the league.
He also had no PP time last year and had 2nd PP unit time the year before.
Lets give the guy a chance.
Why is it Tiny? He broke his foot and lost strength/mobility, then got the flu and lost like 10 lbs. I don't understand how people overlook those things. He also looked a lot better in the playoffs and had good stats.Yeah it would be smarter to get rid of him than gamble on him. He was terrible. The chances of a complete turnaround before his ntc kicks in is tiny
He also became a new dad. People who don't have kids, don't realize how that messes with your sleep and routine, and with his injury plagued season, it would have been that much more difficult for him. Hockey players are creatures of habit, having gameday naps and meals at certain times, and if his sleep is dramatically altered with a newborn in the house, it would probably effect him and the amount of energy and focus he has.Why is it Tiny? He broke his foot and lost strength/mobility, then got the flu and lost like 10 lbs. I don't understand how people overlook those things. He also looked a lot better in the playoffs and had good stats.
If we had 6 other solid dmen we could consider moving him and his contract but as things stand, he is our 4th best dman and we only have 5 dmen that Babs has confidence in. Unless we can acquire a couple of solid replacements we gotta hope/risk that he can turn it around and find his game.
I disagree. Even the advanced stats point to a style change where possession was a secondary considerationHonestly he looked the same this year as he did in his rookie year. Hopefully improves, but this wasn't regression in my eyes.
He also became a new dad. People who don't have kids, don't realize how that messes with your sleep and routine, and with his injury plagued season, it would have been that much more difficult for him. Hockey players are creatures of habit, having gameday naps and meals at certain times, and if his sleep is dramatically altered with a newborn in the house, it would probably effect him and the amount of energy and focus he has.