I feel more rejuvenated than Nash looked
First post in 9 years. FWIW, don't want Neil back anymore.... Everything that follows offered purely in the context of the two lousy preseason games just played; lots of opportunity to eat some of these words just weeks down the road.
Not seeing as much in McIlrath as lots of other folks are... or are trying to. Last year, given what we had on hand (BOYLE), I was ticked this kid was not given more opportunity. He wasn't BAD when he got a chance. But he's got enhanced competition this year. Clendening looked real good that first game and his puck moving skills are badly needed. Holden is clearly going to be top six out of the gate and Skjei is likely also still ahead of Dylan on the depth chart. My guess is that not only may McIlrath find himself back in Hartford but by midseason may lose "first callup" status to Gilmour, who has also impressed. No gloating or hating here... not happy to lose his physicality, but in 2016 and in this lineup I'm not clear that's the most important factor.
I am also suspecting, just based on what we've seen so far, that Buchnevich may be asked to start the season in Hartford as well. Right now it seems to me like the top nine will need to include Pirri, and will certainly include Vesey. But I don't have much faith that Nash is going to rebound significantly, and I'd like to see Gorton move him out sooner than later -- somehow -- to make room for the kid. Twenty games or so in the AHL might be just what he needs to acclimate a little further.
Also not seeing what all the love for Grabner is about. My fourth line would definitely have Gerbe playing... LOVED what I saw of him yesterday... with Fast and eventually Lindberg. Grabner seems just...fast... and little else. He looks like the 13th man to me when Lindberg returns. Hrivik, like McIlrath, looks a bit better than last year and brings some edge and oomph... but still not enough. He should be moved somewhere that might give him a chance in the NHL.
Vesey looks like the real deal, Kreider and Zibanejad were electric in the first game, Zuccarello's had good magic in the Cup games... looking forward to this season much more than I expected to before Gorton's summer moves. This may not be as great a team in 2016-17 as we'd like, time will tell... but we are just awash in depth for the first time I can remember. Most fascinating training camp in YEARS.