No idea what to expect when Lupul returns.
I can't think of a single winger that needs to be demoted or benched right now.
I think I agree with most that McLaren and Orr will have to take turns in the pressbox until the logjam gets cleared a bit.
The boys on Hockey Central at Noon are saying Lupul is taking full practices (hitting and all). It's just a matter of getting into game shape now.
Hopefully the game against Pittsburgh is when he makes his return.
It's possible. Just depends on if he's been keeping his conditioning up.
I know he has skated a couple times on his own, and i'm pretty sure they kept him on the bike while he was out.
So hopefully he will be ready
Well that simplifies things. Lupul slots in for JVR and continue as normal...Mark Masters @markhmasters
van Riemsdyk took tumble during end of practice skating drill; left ice favouring right leg
Well that simplifies things. Lupul slots in for JVR and continue as normal...
Sure, let me give you the heads up on that. "Lower-body injury." Have a good day.Yeah, there's that...or we could wait until there's actually an injury diagnosis for JVR. Either way.
Sure, let me give you the heads up on that. "Lower-body injury." Have a good day.
I see many of you want to keep Bozak with Kessel (I don't), but I'd like to see this for a change.
Lupul - JVR - Kessel
MacArthur - Kadri - Frattin
Grabovski - Bozak - Kulemin
McLaren - McClement - Komarov
JVR - Bozak - Kessel
MacArthur - Kadri - Frattin
Lupul - Grabovski - Kulemin
Komarov - McClement - Orr/McLaren
I think this is what we will see
20 minutes ago
@markhmasters: Carlyle says Lupul hasn't been cleared for contact yet
ignition launched
5...4...3
Best wingers to have on Kadri's wing are (IMO):
1. Frattin
2. Kessel
3. JVR
4. Lupul
5. MacA
Frattin and Kadri have chemistry obviously, while Kadri would give Kessel more space, JVR is a shoot-first player which already works with Kadri-Frattin so JVR makes sense. Then Lupul who is a better shooter than passer and finally MacA who's meh-offensively IMO (good, but we have better options).
I wanna see Kadri with Kessel, two very gifted offensive players and Kadri's improved his defensive play so I think it could work out great.
Ideally:
Lupul - Kadri - Kessel
JVR - - Frattin
Kulemin - Bozak/McClement - Komarov
MacLaren - McClement/Bozak - Orr
Grabovski + for playmaking Center (Try kadri for the rest of the season with Kessel and see if it works, if not than make it a big plus for a #1C).