I drove up to the game after work yesterday. Domi looked great, but he definitely got pushed around a lot. I'd be worried about playing him up in the NHL this year just because he needs to add a bit of size. He got the 3rd star of the game. I wish we had someone we could play alongside Hanzal-Vrbata, it might be him soon, but not this season.
I do think Domi is the solution there. He's a great match for that line, IMO. Hanzal is perfect for creating the space and Vrbata for finishing off the plays. He could totally be the long-term Whitney. You are right, though, just not for this season.
Miele looked like he knew what he should do, but easily got pushed completely out of every play. Too bad.
This I hate to agree with, but I have to. Sucks, just when I was warming up to the idea. Ugh...
Sometimes I think Yandle is great, sometimes I think he's the most overrated player in the western conference. If GMDM can find someone to overpay for him, I wouldn't argue. If that person fits with H-V or Ribs, Bods, or Doan, even better.
For Yandle, this is just practice. To quote Allen Iverson, "Talkin' about
practice?" I wouldn't read too much into it.
Vermette and Brule looked floaty and useless for a lot of the night. A lot of the guys looked that way actually.
I disagree, here. I'd put Brule almost in the same category as Miele. He had all the right intentions, and I'd say he even competed hard. Just ineffective. Like the LA series. Vermette I think is a fantastic 3rd C. Just an overpaid one. I'd be happy to have him back at a discount.
Still glad I went. First time in Canada, had a great time. I still wish we could find a way to get Whitney back to have one line we know will work well.
Where did you drive up from?
Also, seeing Miele and Brule in that game makes me wonder how bad Latendresse must've been. That's disappointing. You'd think a guy like that, with that skill and size, would've found the proper motivation to be his absolute best in a situation like this. All he had to do was beat out those two. He should've been up to the task. That fact that he obviously wasn't is truly damning.