Randy Butternubs
Registered User
Go on an git out that other thread
You aren't wrong but I think it would at least HELP to not insist on QBing the thing from up top. And no this isn't some kind of knock on Letang.
I think both are capable of being fine powerplay players but they've always run kind of a wonky setup when it comes to utilizing their strengths. Just my opinion.
But yeah a legit dual threat on the left wall would go a LONG way. But like... that's just kinda one of those things everyone wants, huh?
What does UFA group 6 mean? Can we sign Mermis next year?
If we're gonna bury our 4th line then yeah, no goer. But not every team does. I know that we're a team with incredible offensive firepower that we want to use as often as possible, but I don't think it's the only way to run business. And if we want a bottom six that contributes, maybe we can't do that.
I'm a lot happier with him on a third scoring line than a notional fourth because of all it implies, but it all comes down to usage. And we need to think about how to use ours.
This said - I think the thing about ZAR's injury making way for Poulin is simply that it opens up a roster spot without needing to make annoying decisions about waivers. Stick ZAR on IR and there we go.
Much like the case with Letang, where less minutes probably leads to better overall impact/performance, we need to give Sid and Geno a legitimate 3rd line to take matchup and production pressure off of their lines. More so than ever, as the big three continue to get older.
I don't like McCann at 3C, but I'd be fine seeing if he could reach the next level as a more offensively oriented 3LW. Especially if we could somehow land Kapanen for that 3RW spot. Still need a relatively significant 3C though, and guys like Bjugs, Lafferty and Blueger ain't it.
Nah. Bleuger is fine. And paying McCann 3 mil to be a bottom six winger is certainly not what JR is talking about doing this summer.
Strongly disagree on Blueger. He's a fine 4C but doesn't bring the offensive capability this team needs out of their 3C, imo. Not even close.
As for McCann, I'm fine with letting him walk, but if we can get out from Hornqvist's contract, I'd be much more open to keeping McCann for a few more years to see if he can reach the next level.
My dream is Dumoulin for Nylander. And Rust for Klefbom. With Murray thrown in one of the deals.
No futures wasted. Sell high and market Cup winning players to teams looking for playoff success.
Bleuger has scored at a comparable rate to 3Cs that have won us a cup.
When you play him with 15-25 pt guys he won’t produce.
TB is a smart player, playing with two door knobs. Zar kills offense and Tanev is just wreckless. Tanev is like a Kunitz without skill. I think TB could have actually made the third line of Marleau and Horny work if Sullivan wasn't so obsessed with his 4th line.
This is where I don't buy into the points/60 or "scoring rates" stuff. Blueger just doesn't have what it takes to bring the offensive element needed to take pressure off of the Sid and Geno lines, imo. If he had the potential you think he does, surround him with better talent on the 4th line to we can get that element back that we had in the back to back Cups too. (Surround him with better talent anyway) ZAR's stats be damned, play Lafferty or Simon at 4LW. Lafferty/Simon-TB-Tanev should be a good to great 4th line. If Blueger's got the potential you and others seem to believe he has, let him play the Cullen role as the wildcard 4C.
Still need a revamp of the 3rd line though. If we keep McCann, I think he's gotta play 3LW. I've never liked McCann at C. I don't like the idea of keeping Hornqvist to be an expensive 3RW/PP specialist either, though he holds all the cards because of the contract we handed him.
This is another in a long line of reasons why keeping that BART line intact no matter what made no sense. Blueger has shown a bit of creativity, vision and playmaking ability at this level. But it's going to be all for naught when he's playing with two guys who can't take advantage of that offensively.
Give Blueger more offensive talent and I think we'll see a guy who can still play a solid defensive game, but also be closer to a 30+ point guy than a ~20 point guy next to ZAR and Tanev.
Going with Blueger as the 3C is basically admitting that your 3rd line isn't cup contender caliber IMO. I don't disagree that I'd like to see him with more talent, but going with him as the 3C isn't nearly good enough unless you have someone like 2016 Kessel on his line.
You need a difference maker on that 3rd line. McCann-Blueger-Hornqvist doesn't cut it. If you want Blueger as your 3C, you likely need to get rid of both McCann and Hornqvist and get a wing duo like Hagelin-Kessel for it. Tanev-Blueger-Nylander is a 3rd line I'd support with Blueger on it, but you need a guy like Nylander for it.
Guentzel - Crosby
New Winger - Malkin
Zucker - Blueger
Those combos could work (Rust being next to Malkin, in case it seems like Malkin's got no one).
That could be a way it works, but I question if Zucker has the playmaking talent to make that 3rd line effective enough. I want a line driver for that 3rd line, I don't know Zucker is that.
I keep beating a dead horse with him, but I think you need someone like Domi for that 3rd line. If you don't want Domi, I think Nylander also works.
Zucker is, always has been, and should continue to be a top-6 winger. Especially with how good he's looked alongside both Sid and Geno.
I know people hate the line because Geno couldn't find the back of the net on his 500 shots against the Habs, but I really don't have any problem with the Zucker-Geno-Rust line moving forward. Would I prefer a more "sniper" kind of guy to play opposite either Zucker or Rust? Sure, but I think that trio is more than fine for a 2nd line.
The only way I'd move one of Zucker or Rust out of the top-6 is if we managed to make one of the deals people are floating around and acquired Nylander or Rakell (or my preference, Arvidsson or Ehlers).
Anybody here watching the NBA playoffs? I jumped on the Raptors bandwagon last year but there are some intriguing match-ups in the west this year.
Doncic/Porzingis vs. Leonard/George
Lillard vs. James/Davis
That's sports at its best.
Nah. That shit sucks and no wonder your Kessel loving ass likes it.
I’m perplexed how St Louis just won a cup with Tyler Bozak and Oskar Sundqvist as a center unit and Teddy Bleuger is not a “championship caliber” 3C.
And I’m the most obnoxious proponent of a proper 3C here. Teddy’s game and scoring ability is it.
Puljujarvi would look good with Blueger. I'm sure of it.
If he thinks Montreal is boring and the weather is shitty, there is roughly 0% chance he would like Pittsburgh.