I don't want them to deal Jake. I think it's the wrong move, both short and long term. If this funk keeps up, I could see McKenzie's point coming to pass in the form of a Kessel deal though.
The encouraging thing here? The impression I'm getting from these line combinations is that Crosby's line is going to be Simon-Crosby-Sprong when Sid gets back, baring any future changes. It could also be ZAR-Crosby-Rust, but I doubt that based on them using Grant with Simon and Sprong. Grant is definitely not in the lineup when everyone is healthy.
Ryan Spooner from 2014-2018 had 147 points in 246 games, which is a pace of 49 points per 82 games. It's really not a ridiculous claim to make, you can get 50 point wingers somewhat easily. Those guys may just be really bad at hockey outside of their production, just like Sam Gagner.
The encouraging thing here? The impression I'm getting from these line combinations is that Crosby's line is going to be Simon-Crosby-Sprong when Sid gets back, baring any future changes. It could also be ZAR-Crosby-Rust, but I doubt that based on them using Grant with Simon and Sprong. Grant is definitely not in the lineup when everyone is healthy.
The other encouraging thing is that, at least for the time being, they've decided that smashing their faces against a brick wall over and over doesn't feel very good and pulled the plug on Malkin/Horns.
Right move for now, fo' sho'.
I didn't say it was inaccurate, just mean
That said... Spooner has a lot of those goals on the PP. You want a guy to give you what Guentzel's ES production looks like in comparison to his peers, you're talking more Zucker and Nyquist.
The encouraging thing here? The impression I'm getting from these line combinations is that Crosby's line is going to be Simon-Crosby-Sprong when Sid gets back, baring any future changes. It could also be ZAR-Crosby-Rust, but I doubt that based on them using Grant with Simon and Sprong. Grant is definitely not in the lineup when everyone is healthy.
Right move forever.
Totally missed the Crosby D pairing. Hey... could it actually do any WORSE?
Why is Riikola sitting and Ruhwedel still in the freaking line-up!?!
The encouraging thing here? The impression I'm getting from these line combinations is that Crosby's line is going to be Simon-Crosby-Sprong when Sid gets back, baring any future changes. It could also be ZAR-Crosby-Rust, but I doubt that based on them using Grant with Simon and Sprong. Grant is definitely not in the lineup when everyone is healthy.
I think I could handle those lines. Waive Grant, send ZAR back down, call up someone else with some more speed/skill for the fourth and rotate them with Cullen and Sheahan.
My only real question is Dumo-Ruh? Seems like they're trying for a shut down pair there and I'm not sure if I like it to take heavy Dzone starts and give Maatta-O sheltered time, or if it seems like they're shortening our second best defender.
Yeah, ZAR is likely here to stay I feel, but I can dream. That line would just be so much better with Cullen/Sheahan flanked by Rust with a speed player on the other side a la DiPauli.They're not going to send ZAR back down, I think the best case scenario for that 4th line is ZAR-Cullen-Rust. Seeing how they actually scored some goals last game, I think you'll see that going forward for the short run too.
On defense, I don't like any of the pairs to be honest. I want to see them run with:
Maatta-Letang
Dumoulin-Johnson
Oleksiak-Ruhwedel
And heavily shelter the bottom pair. I think it may be questionable to put Johnson with Dumoulin, considering some of Dumoulin's recent performances, but they need one of Maatta or Johnson with Dumoulin IMO and Maatta dosn't play RD.
Yeah, ZAR is likely here to stay I feel, but I can dream. That line would just be so much better with Cullen/Sheahan flanked by Rust with a speed player on the other side a la DiPauli.
I'd be up for trying Maatta again with Letang. The second pair looks like it's asking to be hemmed in for entire shifts. But if the top pair works then it's a good place to slot Schultz in.
The whole reason to part with a one-dimensional winger like Sheary was that we could have a rookie come in and produce his numbers easily under similar circumstances. Sprong can, and has been producing as well as anyone in the league who's been used like he has. But the coach has his head up his ass, so here we are, wondering where we can find offense to replace frickin Sheary when we don't look an inch in front of our faces.
Simon who is doing exactly what your talking about. You don’t need to look to far to see that.
So... jumping the gun massively, but if a (mostly) 1 for 1 hockey trade with Guentzel were to go down, how would people prefer it to go?
Get a more 2 way but still high impact wing?
Or see if you can find a 3D type guy?
So... jumping the gun massively, but if a (mostly) 1 for 1 hockey trade with Guentzel were to go down, how would people prefer it to go?
Get a more 2 way but still high impact wing?
Or see if you can find a 3D type guy?
I don't think the problem is with Simon being able to replace Sheary (although I don't think he has replaced him), I think the problem is the next guys after Simon being able to replace Simon. I don't think Simon can replace the goal scoring that Sheary brought, but he can at least come close I think. But who's going to replace what Simon provided last year? No one has yet.
I'd be trying to find a good RW fit for Crosby if we're trading Guentzel. It's the biggest long-term hole on the roster right now. I don't think it's worth trading Guentzel for a defenseman, I don't think you need a defenseman as good as what you'd get back for Guentzel.
So... jumping the gun massively, but if a (mostly) 1 for 1 hockey trade with Guentzel were to go down, how would people prefer it to go?
Get a more 2 way but still high impact wing?
Or see if you can find a 3D type guy?
So... jumping the gun massively, but if a (mostly) 1 for 1 hockey trade with Guentzel were to go down, how would people prefer it to go?
Get a more 2 way but still high impact wing?
Or see if you can find a 3D type guy?
Yeah for sure. Simon stats are pretty good though right now. 18 goal, 45 point pace right now which matches Sheary’s goals from last year plus a bunch more assists. His advanced stats are great too. Sid and Simon are working well together. Add in Jake on that line and they get a boost again.
Would you marry that with trading some of the current RW stock, and if so, what sort of thing are you thinking?