Player Discussion Aatu Raty

[Shareefruck]

If Raty does make the team and Blueger is ready for opening night we have some interesting options.

I would have assumed Blueger would slide back in on Garland's line but maybe you keep Hoglander-Raty-Garland together with the chemistry they've shown. Then you could run Suter-Blueger-Sherwood as more of a matchup line.

Considering that they haven't found a fit with Pettersson - DeBrusk yet, my guess would be that they'll just use Suter/Heinen the same way.

Suter - Miller - Boeser
Heinen - Pettersson - DeBrusk
Joshua - Raty - Garland (Hoglander - Raty - Garland for opening night)
Hoglander - Blueger - Sherwood (Sprong/DiGiuseppe - Blueger - Sherwood for opening night)

I think it's fine to start the season with Raty considering that Sprong hasn't really shown that he's a capable everyday guy yet.

 

[F A N]

I think it's fine to start the season with Raty considering that Sprong hasn't really shown that he's a capable everyday guy yet.

I'm not quite sure what you mean here. Sprong has been an "everyday" player with a few healthy scratches here and there. He played 76 games last season and 66 the year before. It really comes down to how you want your team to play and what you want out of him. If you want an energy type grinder who is hard to play against in all 3 zones that's not him. If you want a top 6 player who can play a 200 foot game that's not him. He's not a long term top 6 fit because he doesn't score enough to outproduce his defensive deficieinces. If you want someone to produce offensively 5 v 5 playing on the 4th line (given his defensive struggles) that's him.

I do think Sprong is what he is. He's there to produce offensively on the 4th line. When he isn't producing his coach is going to want to scratch him.

Otherwise, ya I'm fine with starting Raty too. He has certainly earned the right to be considered for a spot.