GDT: Preseason Game 1: Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Buffalo Sabres from PSU!

[888 98 twins]

I like Blueger a lot but the idea of Simon working out well at center at the NHL level is pretty exciting. Gives the team even more options and flexibility. Both on the ice and potentially in trade.

Simon being passable at C goes a long way towards comfortably rostering 13 forwards.

 

[Rakell67]

Simon being passable at C goes a long way towards comfortably rostering 13 forwards.

Maybe they are looking to move Bjugstad in the future for cap reasons and go with a bottom six of...

McCann Simon Hornqvist
Aston-Reese Blueger Rust

 

[Speaking Moistly]

He was a 1st liner for the Czechs, so he was playing against the best the other team's had to offer. I know he matched up against Malkin's line against Russia and Blueger's line against Latvia, but I'm not sure who else he played against. The Czechs lost in the bronze medal game to Russia and went 6-1 in the tournament as well, so they obviously had success with Simon in that role.

On paper, the only thing I think you can knock for in regards to playing center in the NHL is his strength. I think he has the hockey IQ and playmaking talents to be able to provide some upside offensively, his defensive metrics are also extremely strong and he has had success with the Czechs at center. It's definitely something I want to see tried, and if it doesn't work, there's no harm there.

I will say though that Simon gives me Janmark vibes with his ability to play center. Like he may be able to play center full time, but you'd probably get more out of him on the wing. Ironically, I think Bjugstad is arguably in that group too.

Right but the best other teams have to offer isn’t necessarily anything formidable at the nhl level. Lining up against Malkin is the telling one unless it was Malkin surrounded by scrubs. Blueger, who I really like, not so much right now. If most of his points came against weak teams then it doesn’t say much about his chances of playing C in the NHL. Plenty of players play C at lower levels but are purely wingers in the NHL.

Strength and that most of his time has been as a winger since he came over.

I think we’re not that far apart, tbh. What I really don’t want is for Simon to flounder at C and Sullivan to be stubborn about it. That kind of thing will hurt Simon and Blueger. Bjugstad is a weird one where I think he can do both well but you’ll spend a lot of time thinking he’s better at the one he’s not currently playing. I’m more confident in Bjugstad handling the 3C role than Simon, McCann, Guentzel or Galchenyuk, though.

 

[BHD]

Do the Sabres realize that its only Pre-season. It looks like they are basically playing their starting line-up.

Conor Sheary will be playing though. He's a player you pay to see.

 

[AuroraBorealis]

Conor Sheary will be playing though. He's a player you pay to see.

He's always good for 2 or 3 bambi moments.

I get that he was a decent player for us, but good lord I hated watching him play. Sucked in the playoffs anyway, so whatever.

 

[BHD]

He's always good for 2 or 3 bambi moments.

I get that he was a decent player for us, but good lord I hated watching him play. Sucked in the playoffs anyway, so whatever.

"Sheary just couldn't handle that puck." - Edzo, every broadcast.

 

[Andy99]

Conor Sheary will be playing though. He's a player you pay to see.

Sure, if you like your hockey players not on skates but in a horizontal position on the ice...it’s the novelty of it...

 

[AuroraBorealis]

Sure, if you like your hockey players not on skates but in a horizontal position on the ice...it’s the novelty of it...

Or the classic unnecessary fast stick-handling under no pressure...resulting in the puck skittering away to the opposition.
Sid left hanging near the net, with the disappointed body language. Forced to backcheck for no reason.

 

[66-30-33]

So will onhockey have a stream up at all? says "Live stream will be available soon".

 

[KIRK]

That is VERY telling that it's Simon, not Blueger, centering the presumed L4 wingers.

 

[AuroraBorealis]

That is VERY telling that it's Simon, not Blueger, centering the presumed L4 wingers.

Sad, isn't it? Poor baby Blue.

 

[KIRK]

Sad, isn't it? Poor baby Blue.

Sad? Yes.

Surprising? No.

 

[66-30-33]

Anyone watching the Panthers game?

 

[HandshakeLine]

I'm liking the idea of Poulin and Legare together in principle.

 

[KIRK]

Anyone watching the Panthers game?

I highly doubt it, why?

 

[66-30-33]

I highly doubt it, why?

Cuz, hockey. It's on my other monitor.

 

[Honour Over Glory]

Lol Junk Johnson in the lineup.

 

[Honour Over Glory]

That is VERY telling that it's Simon, not Blueger, centering the presumed L4 wingers.

Kind of sucks for Blue. Dude getting shafted with Simon moving to C really kills me for the work the dude put in.

 

[KIRK]

Lol Junk Johnson in the lineup.

Sully needed to do something to excite @ColePens for this one . . .

 

[BHD]

This thread is for discussing the game. Thanks.

 

[Ugene Magic]

AJ can play center as well.

Seems like a logical choice over Simon.

 

[Jacob]

If I can’t watch live is there going to be a way to replay?

 

[SHOOTANDSCORE]

Lol Junk Johnson in the lineup.

That's my new favorite nickname.

We need to start organizing a write in campaign to get JJ into the all star game.

 

[Woodhouse]

FYI, these have worked for past preseason games, so you should be able to paste one of the two URL's below into a media player (like VLC) as a network stream (Ctrl+N) to watch tonight's game without geo restrictions:

http://nhlclubstream-i.akamaihd.net/hls/live/236907/nhlclub/buf/master.m3u8
http://nhlclubstream-i.akamaihd.net/hls/live/236907/nhlclub/pit/master.m3u8

 

[SEALBound]

The preseason game that I like best is "who is JR showcasing tonight?"

Given that lineup...and JJ...I say its JJ.