2024-2025 Blues Multi-Purpose Thread.

[Brian39]

Looks like the only TV for the Sharks game tonite is ESPN+

Well, that's not good.

Different strokes.

I for one am absolutely thrilled every time I don't have to use the enormous pile of crap that Bally's passes off as a video streaming app.

 

[Thallis]

Different strokes.

I for one am absolutely thrilled every time I don't have to use the enormous pile of crap that Bally's passes off as a video streaming app.

I will be very sad to hear Jamie Rivers do pbp again

 

[TheOrganist]

Speaking of Rivers, that was an interesting nugget in the Biz Journal that he filed for bankruptcy in 2011. Seems like a good guy and he’s not half bad on 101 during the rare times I tune in but Christ is he a terrible color man.

 

[aceoutdoor]

The offer sheets were an over the top win. Broberg will hit, what a steal. Holloway is more of a question, but if he hits with his tools... Watch Out!!!

 

[BlueDream]

The offer sheets were an over the top win. Broberg will hit, what a steal. Holloway is more of a question, but if he hits with his tools... Watch Out!!!

That alone makes this season so much more exciting. I’m pumped to watch their development each game.

 

[TheDizee]

The offer sheets were an over the top win. Broberg will hit, what a steal. Holloway is more of a question, but if he hits with his tools... Watch Out!!!

Broberg has been good so far, not sold on Holloway but he is also playing up in the lineup and likely over his head. Will see how he plays once Saad is back.

 

[PocketNines]

That's not really up to the fans though. It's up to the players, and it's still too early to have that level of certainty. Both players were drafted very high (Broberg 8th overall and Holloway 14th overall), and they were fairly underutilized in Edmonton. Would it really be that improbable for Broberg to put up 40+ points playing 20+ minutes per night on both even strength and specialty teams? Would it really be that improbable for Holloway to put up 50+ points as a 2C? This and next season will give both players the opportunity to demonstrate such, and if they do, then Alex Steen can resign them at their deserved market values.

Your argument is well they could be a 1D and a 2C because of where they were drafted? That isn't how it works, Edmonton wishes it did though

 

[Stupendous Yappi]

Despite the early lapses, I like our zone exits in general so far. Significant improvement from last season, and will provide a good framework to getting O zone time and more scoring as we go along.

This team is going to start believing they are a playoff team, then who is going to argue with them?

 

[Snubbed4Vezina]

One thing I've liked seeing is that you have new players from winning teams leading by example. Faksa played a key role in turning around both games. Suter scored an impactful goal yesterday. These guys aren't okay with losing.

Too many people on the team last season seemed okay with that. Last night's game would've been a sure L.

 

[Majorityof1]

Despite the early lapses, I like our zone exits in general so far. Significant improvement from last season, and will provide a good framework to getting O zone time and more scoring as we go along.

This team is going to start believing they are a playoff team, then who is going to argue with them?

I'd say actual playoff teams might have something to say about that. Our 2 games were against probable non-playoff teams. We still were trailing for most and outplayed for much of those games. Resiliency is great and I'm glad to see it. But you shouldn't need it against non-playoff teams.

There are many good things to point to after the first two games. Many bad things as well. I'd say the first two games still leave us with making the playoffs as a stretch goal, not an inevitability

 

[ChicagoBlues]

Broberg has been good so far, not sold on Holloway but he is also playing up in the lineup and likely over his head. Will see how he plays once Saad is back.

Brobie has been good. Holloway seems out of synch with his linemates and has lost the puck in his skates more than a few times. I love his movement, but he is a little ahead of the play at times. Maybe others have noticed this. DH is also someone who needs to calm down a little and appropriately focus instead of the Berglund-myopic tunnel vision. Only two games, but I like both Brobie and Holly.

 

[execwrite1]

P.O Joseph will make his debut on defense with the Blues, joining his brother, Mathieu, in their first NHL game together. The Josephs will become the seventh set of brothers to suit up for the Blues, joining the Picards, Plagers, O'Sheas, Bennetts, Cavallinis and the Sutters.

 

[Stupendous Yappi]

P.O Joseph will make his debut on defense with the Blues, joining his brother, Mathieu, in their first NHL game together. The Josephs will become the seventh set of brothers to suit up for the Blues, joining the Picards, Plagers, O'Sheas, Bennetts, Cavallinis and the Sutters.

The Stastnys kinda.

 

[Bye Bye Blueston]

The Stastnys kinda.

Did the others all play with their brothers? Because yeah, both Yan and Paul played for team (as of course did their dad).

 

[BlueMed]

Your argument is well they could be a 1D and a 2C because of where they were drafted? That isn't how it works, Edmonton wishes it did though

My argument was that they were drafted highly for a reason, not that the draft positions in themselves would guarantee anything. Based on their very limited usage in Edmonton, it still remains unclear what their true ceilings are and therefore their body of work prior to getting draft is unfortunately one of the limited pieces of information we have. I don't see how anyone at this point can state with any rigorous certainty that both Broberg and Holloway cannot become an average 1D and 2C, respectively. We'll just have to wait and see.

 

[AyeBah]

P.O Joseph will make his debut on defense with the Blues, joining his brother, Mathieu, in their first NHL game together. The Josephs will become the seventh set of brothers to suit up for the Blues, joining the Picards, Plagers, O'Sheas, Bennetts, Cavallinis and the Sutters.

I wish he didn't make his debut. That second vegas goal was horrible, he was in no mans land basically just guarding binner

 

[ChicagoBlues]

Did the others all play with their brothers? Because yeah, both Yan and Paul played for team (as of course did their dad).

Yes. Marian, Peter and Anton all defected from Czechoslovakia and played for the Quebec Nordiques.

 

[Blanick]

Since the Blues seem adamant about continuing the Buch at center experiment I think they have to duct tape Kyrou to his wing as those two definitely have chemistry. The question is who plays with Thomas? Neighbours has shown flashes of chemistry in the past, maybe try Holloway, Saad or Bolduc. I don't like Schenn there I think he is the ideal 3C. Elevating Schenn after the Sharks game was a mistake by Bannister. Yes Schenn played well but part of that was the fact that he was getting favorable matchups against the lack of depth in the Sharks forward core.

Maybe try these lineups

Neighbours - Thomas - Saad
Holloway - Buchnevich - Kyrou
Texier - Schenn - Joseph
Toropchenko - Faksa - Walker

 

[Reality Czech]

Since the Blues seem adamant about continuing the Buch at center experiment I think they have to duct tape Kyrou to his wing as those two definitely have chemistry. The question is who plays with Thomas? Neighbours has shown flashes of chemistry in the past, maybe try Holloway, Saad or Bolduc. I don't like Schenn there I think he is the ideal 3C. Elevating Schenn after the Sharks game was a mistake by Bannister. Yes Schenn played well but part of that was the fact that he was getting favorable matchups against the lack of depth in the Sharks forward core.

Maybe try these lineups

Neighbours - Thomas - Saad
Holloway - Buchnevich - Kyrou
Texier - Schenn - Joseph
Toropchenko - Faksa - Walker

I guess it depends on what the priority is. Which is more important, to have a more effective 1st line or a 3rd line that will have an advantage with most matchups? Both are important of course, but it's more important to give Thomas wingers that can score IMO. I agree with you that Buch and Kyrou should stick together for now, so then the question is who can finish Thomas's passes?

Hopefully Neighbours will find his scoring touch so we can keep him with Thomas....for now. The leash shouldn't be super long, though. The third member would need to be one of Saad, Schenn or possibly Bolduc (though I would prefer one of Neighbours/Bolduc on that line but not both together). Holloway didn't click there the first couple of games but he could eventually find his way back.

If Neighbours doesn't wake up soon another option could be Saad Thomas Schenn. Neighbours Holloway Texier would certainly create havoc on that third line. But hopefully Jake can stick in the top 6.

Personally I would see if Holloway can find his footing as the 3C and put Schenn with Neighbours and Thomas in the short term. Having Saad on Holloway's wing might also bring a little stability to that 3rd line. If that doesn't work, you pivot back to Schenn as 3C and try some other combinations.

I will say that I like Bannister's strategy of putting the Big 3 together at times during the game. Edmonton does that with McDrai, and it kind of gives us the option of having our best 1st line occasionally, but also a more balanced top 6 the rest of the time.