Didn't watch all the game, as I'm more pumped up about my son's Bantam tryouts. Looks like he'll get a shot on a really good A team, maybe even AA? Considering he's always been a B player it's kind of exciting... At least a hell of a lot more exciting than watching the Avs.
I thought the Wild were the better team early, then sat back a bit starting in the late 2nd period. If the Avs were a better team it Might've come back to bite them.
- God, Suter is good. Much as I love Parise, there is no doubt to me that Suter is the least replaceable player on the team. Please, Yeo, have him average UNDER 25 min./ GM this year. He is even better when rested.
- is it possible that Brodin is Suter's love child?
- I am a Dumba Bo- bo ( a Dumbo?), but he looked out of place at times. If he doesn't pick it up, perhaps AHL time would be wise. Having said that, I don't think Ballard or Prosser are any better, though Prosser could be stuck in when we are playing physical teams.
-Vanek has been OK. Great pass to Zucker, and has made some nice plays in the D end, which has been unexpected. So far, I like Zucker on the Koivu line. They need that speed.
- Koivu looks good, not great. See Suter's comments re: TOI and apply liberally.
-Both Coyle and Nino are proving their worth. these guys are valuable even when they aren't scoring, as they are effective in the dirty areas. I noticed that Landeskog wasn't so tough once Coyle showed up as his dance partner in the scrums. With Haula and Granlund he is a real tough guy, though.
-I have like/dislike thing going on with Poms. When all is chaos in the D end and you need a veteran forward to step and restore order, he is NOT the guy. Also,plays kind of small. Having said that, he is a very effective offensive player who has a nose for the net. Plays pretty small... You can only have so many of those guys.
- Kuemper was much better in the second game, though I still don't like his puck handling.
- I didn't like the penalty that Carter took at all, but I'm prepared to give him some time to acclimatize. We need a tough customer around. He and Fontaine can trade off ? Would like the latter to produce like last year , but have my doubts. He is a hard worker with some skill, but plays small. Sort of a low end Poms. Again, you can only have so many of those players on the roster when you roll into St. Louis/LA/Boston.
You were all laughing at Brodziak's EN attempt, but do none of you realize how hard it is the hit the post in that situation? Anybody can score... Brodz simply won't settle for the ordinary. Next time he'll go "bar up".
