Observations, Part X

[Yukon Cornellis]

When the hell is Bourque getting back? He's practiced for like a month.

I asked AV that exact question on twitter today. Said he's been skating, but not joining in line rushes, so apparently not ready to come back yet. I'm thinking lingering concussion symptoms.

 

[NSH615]

 

[drwpreds]

This is great news. Wilson isn't a savior, but he gives us much, much better balance and depth.

Wilson/Fisher/Smith is not bad at all for a 3rd line.

 

[Scoresberg]

Wilson/Fisher/Smith is not bad at all for a 3rd line.

No, it isn't. In fact add Vesey to that lineup and that top-9 looks pretty good.

 

[drwpreds]

No, it isn't. In fact add Vesey to that lineup and that top-9 looks pretty good.

What if we add Vesey AND add a top 6 forward before the trade deadline??

Eriksson/Johansen/Neal
Forsberg/Ribeiro/Vesey
Wilson/Fisher/Smith

Or:

Drouin/Johansen/Neal
Forsberg/Ribeiro/Vesey
Wilson/Fisher/Smith

That is pretty dang strong. If we have “normal†Pekka to go along with that top 9, we would be capable of beating anyone in a playoff series.

Then you would have a ton of possibilities for the 4th line:

Arvidsson/Jarnkrok/Bourque/Watson/Salomaki/Gaustad/Nystrom

 

[Scoresberg]

Yeah, on paper that team can beat anyone. I'd be glad if we landed Vesey and wouldn't acquire any rentals. Jarnkrok/Arvidsson can fill that one spot in the top-9.

Seriously, this Vesey thing is driving me crazy I just want to get this over with and have him here. I don't want any rentals our prospect pool is almost bare and that rental hasn't helped us ever.

 

[Pred303]

the odds are against us tonight. outsiders discount us. many of our own fans doubt us.

nothing to do but go out and prove everyone wrong for at least another night.

 

[Scoresberg]

The best team in the league is in the town. No better time to make a statement to the whole league than by beating the Caps tonite.

 

[Roman Yoshi]

Yeah, on paper that team can beat anyone. I'd be glad if we landed Vesey and wouldn't acquire any rentals. Jarnkrok/Arvidsson can fill that one spot in the top-9.

Seriously, this Vesey thing is driving me crazy I just want to get this over with and have him here. I don't want any rentals our prospect pool is almost bare and that rental hasn't helped us ever.

I think you really, really gotta temper your expectations with Vesey.

 

[Scoresberg]

I think you really, really gotta temper your expectations with Vesey.

Vesey is a big, strong, physical and fast LW who can score some goals. He's already 22 yrs old and is just dominating in the NCAA, scoring at the same pace as Jack Eichel albeit 4yrs older. Remember, he put up almost as good numbers last year, too. What could go wrong with this guy?

 

[Pred303]

Vesey is a big, strong, physical and fast LW who can score some goals. He's already 22 yrs old and is just dominating in the NCAA, scoring at the same pace as Jack Eichel albeit 4yrs older. Remember, he put up almost as good numbers last year, too. What could go wrong with this guy?

just to keep proper perspective, Colin Wilson did too in 2009

 

[Drake744]

just to keep proper perspective, Colin Wilson did too in 2009

Blake Geoffrion won the Hobey Baker Award also.

 

[Scoresberg]

just to keep proper perspective, Colin Wilson did too in 2009

I think Vesey's ceiling is closer to Jamie Benn's. Sure, he could become Wilson 2.0 but that would still be one hell of acquisition to our team.

 

[Pred303]

I think Vesey's ceiling is closer to Jamie Benn's. Sure, he could become Wilson 2.0 but that would still be one hell of acquisition to our team.

I certainly hope that. but most everyone thought Wilson would be a solid 70 pt per year type player back then too.

 

[Roman Yoshi]

Vesey is a big, strong, physical and fast LW who can score some goals. He's already 22 yrs old and is just dominating in the NCAA, scoring at the same pace as Jack Eichel albeit 4yrs older. Remember, he put up almost as good numbers last year, too. What could go wrong with this guy?

Stop. Just stop.

Vesey is averaging 1.52 points per game (as a senior)

Eichel, as an 18 year old, averaged 1.775 points per game.

That is a significant difference, especially when you consider Eichel was a boy and Vesey is essentially a man playing in a league of boys and men. They aren't comparable, not even close.

EDIT: Holy crap, comparing him to Benn, the NHL leading scorer last year? This kid is going to bust so hard in your eyes.

 

[NSH615]

ummmm....... Huge ticket giveaway tonight!

 

[nomorekids]

I think Vesey's ceiling is closer to Jamie Benn's. Sure, he could become Wilson 2.0 but that would still be one hell of acquisition to our team.

No offense, and maybe you're meaning to say "stylistically," but I would stop short of saying that Vesey's "ceiling" is superstar\Art Ross winner.

Craig Smith dominated at Wisconsin, then went to the world championships and opened the eyes of the entire NHL....and has turned into a good, inconsistent 2\3 line tweener. Vesey has played well at the college level, but let's temper our expectations. His upside still likely remains "2nd\3rd line wing."

 

[handtrick]

the odds are against us tonight. outsiders discount us. many of our own fans doubt us.

nothing to do but go out and prove everyone wrong for at least another night.

Oddsmakers giving the edge to the Preds tonight

 

[Pred303]

Oddsmakers giving the edge to the Preds tonight

always have to be argumentive

 

[triggrman]

always have to be argumentive

He has a pretty wife, a good job, and a good family, he has to have something that's not perfect...... Probably doesn't like scotch.

 

[Montross]

I think Vesey's ceiling is closer to Jamie Benn's. Sure, he could become Wilson 2.0 but that would still be one hell of acquisition to our team.

OK lets slow the hype train a bit shall we?

 

[Adz]

Oddsmakers giving the edge to the Preds tonight

They're drunk.

No other explanation.

 

[David Singleton]

He has a pretty wife, a good job, and a good family, he has to have something that's not perfect...... Probably doesn't like scotch.

I suspect he would say his friends.

 

[Drake744]

Oddsmakers giving the edge to the Preds tonight

Yeah I noticed that and have no clue why.

 

[Enoch]

Rinne is better than Hutton, but there aren't many goalies that haven't been significantly better than Pekka this year (and Hutton crazily is one of them.)