GDT: #3 Home Opener - A Tribute to Johnny Gaudreau - Florida @ Columbus - 8/15 @ 7 PM EST

[MAHJ71]

I've often quibbled with folks when they uphold faceoffs as super important, when a guy is at 52% instead of say, 48%. That doesn't amount to many faceoff wins and has no discernable effect on possession stats. But when a guy wins 20 of 26 that's huge. It plays a big role in carrying the play. Kuraly also won 4 of 5.

It was funny to me because someone posted during the game about faceoffs being an issue, and around that same time they showed the stats on the Jumbotron, CBJ was winning 60-40%. Ended up 57-43% in favor of CBJ.

 

[majormajor]

some observations through the first few games:

the good

• werenski looks unreal, and kent johnson is playing (and being utilized like) a star-level forward. love to see it.
• monahan is awesome. looks like a complete, well-rounded player with poise and smarts. his game works so well with the two other russians.
• sillinger also looks to have taken a massive step – playing with more jam, confidence and pace.
• maybe it's just the werenski effect but provorov looks a lot better and more comfortable this year.
• really liking zach aston-reese's game so far, too. he's clearly the best forward on the fourth line, and is the best suited for that role as well. hope he sticks around.
• dean evason is the right guy for the job.

the bad

• elvis, woof. three awful goals last night, put himself in bad positions trying to play the puck multiple times, took himself out of the play a few other times… only 22 SOG for florida, and it could've been worse for him too as fantilli and kj both saved his bacon with shot blocks.
• not loving kevin lebanc's game so far
• after two great games, the 2-78 pair was… not good last night.

one more note on the goalies – i don't think tarasov is the guy either. at this point they'd be better off getting someone like husso and just carrying three goalies, especially if guddy is going to be out long-term (since they're curently carrying 8 defensemen)

I'm not sure what happens with our goalies. But I'll say that I watch a good number of games around the league and I've seen a lot of goalie performances so far this year that are much worse than anything Elvis did last night. He wasn't good and it's happening a lot around the league. It's hard to find a reliable goalie. I can't comment on Husso in particular.

I don't know what to do with JVR and Labanc. They might be functional third wheels on a line with two good players. Right now we're asking Fantilli to carry two third wheels. I'm not sure they're even good third wheels though, they might not work with anyone.

I agree with you on all your comments about the good things. That includes ZAR, I think he's a great fit.

Any thoughts on a Fantilli - Sillinger - KJ line?

 

[CBJx614]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1846566337851633741

 

[Double-Shift Lasse]

I don't know what to do with JVR and Labanc. They might be functional third wheels on a line with two good players. Right now we're asking Fantilli to carry two third wheels. I'm not sure they're even good third wheels though, they might not work with anyone.

Probably need to flip Pyyhtia and Labanc but does that put them on the wrong wings? There just might not be a solution while we wait for Voronkov. There was always going to be a make-shift-edness to the lineup.

 

[Viqsi]

I'm not sure what happens with our goalies. But I'll say that I watch a good number of games around the league and I've seen a lot of goalie performances so far this year that are much worse than anything Elvis did last night. He wasn't good and it's happening a lot around the league. It's hard to find a reliable goalie.

WTF Stat Of The Day (pointed out to me by @BigFatCat999 last night as we were watching games): Elvis had the same SV% last night as Jusse Saros.

Yes, really.

Actually, technically at the moment he pointed it out - after the Jackets game but while the Preds game was still ongoing - Elvis actually had a BETTER SV%. Saros just happened to make another save or three afterwards to boost his stats such that they ended up level.

 

[Viqsi]

I don't know what to do with JVR and Labanc. They might be functional third wheels on a line with two good players. Right now we're asking Fantilli to carry two third wheels. I'm not sure they're even good third wheels though, they might not work with anyone.

Honestly, I'd be kind of inclined to keep them as is for now and wait for either of Danforth or Voronkov (whichever comes first) to return.

 

[Jovavic]

If he gets hurt sure, but I don't understand the hate we got for that signing.

I believe he's had a nagging injury the last few years that really affected his usefulness (he was traded with a first as a cap dump), and I think he got it fixed while in Montreal but the "cap dump" stigma was on him so people didn't think he was no longer a good player, certainly not someone who should've gotten that term and dollar amount. But, he's proving the haters wrong and playing well which is amazing considering the circumstances.

 

[Viqsi]

I believe he's had a nagging injury the last few years that really affected his usefulness (he was traded with a first as a cap dump), and I think he got it fixed while in Montreal but the "cap dump" stigma was on him so people didn't think he was no longer a good player, certainly not someone who should've gotten that term and dollar amount. But, he's proving the haters wrong and playing well which is amazing considering the circumstances.

Having seen variants of that kind of "explanation" for players before amount to nothing, I'll readily concede I was among those who doubted the move. So far he's making me look very foolish for it and I hope he continues to do so.

 

[CBJx614]

I believe he's had a nagging injury the last few years that really affected his usefulness (he was traded with a first as a cap dump), and I think he got it fixed while in Montreal but the "cap dump" stigma was on him so people didn't think he was no longer a good player, certainly not someone who should've gotten that term and dollar amount. But, he's proving the haters wrong and playing well which is amazing considering the circumstances.

Monahan himself said that he kept trying to come back from injuries too early and never truly gave his body time to fully heal. He did that right before Montreal and it's basically revamped his game.