Barracuda News & Discussion VII

[Alwalys]

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[Bizz]

That was a fun game, the new Arena is so bright and loud inside.

 

[OrrNumber4]

I doubt that. They have a ton of forwards right now and seems they’re cycling certain players in and out.

Ah, okay that makes a little better. But even in that case I'm guessing the better guys aren't ever "cycled out"...

 

[CupfortheSharks]

That was a fun game, the new Arena is so bright and loud inside.

Agreed. The new arena is awesome. I was there early. Before the pregame skate, Bordeleau was sitting on the Cuda bench wearing sweats, holding his stick and sort of twirling it around in his hands. He had ear buds in his ears. I think he was listening to music and getting focused. He also made sure he was the last one off the ice from the pregame skate.

 

[Lebanezer]

Ah, okay that makes a little better. But even in that case I'm guessing the better guys aren't ever "cycled out"...

We’ll see if he plays today, but they have been emphasizing development for the Cuda, so I assume they’re doing lots of extra work with the guys.

 

[Hobocop]

Third line comes through with the game winner, Johnson to Veronneau to Suess, Barracuda win 3-2:



Johnson and Bordeleau had the other goals. Wasn't near as dominant a performance for the Cuda, we were messy and a little too cute with our defensive zone exits. Too much perimeter play in the offensive zone. Power play also had the same issues as yesterday and even gave up a shorthanded goal.

I'm getting pretty high on Kniazev. The year of development has been huge for him. I trust him in the defensive zone, he's playing more physical, all while still being dynamic on offense. Had an assist and chased down a Knight on a near-breakaway today. He did take a bad crosschecking penalty in the last minute which made the ending a nailbiter. The points haven't come yet, but no reason why they won't.

Merkley's defense has improved, but his habits on offense are still mostly the same. I do think pairing him with Pouliot has been a good choice, they play off each other pretty well.

I've loved the contributions from the bottom six forwards this weekend. Line four were big yesterday, today it was the third line.

Have felt like Bordeleau has gelled with the team more than Eklund has. He's been the best forward in my eyes so far. I'm waiting on a breakout game from Eklund but haven't felt like him and Agozzino have clicked all that well. Gushchin looks impressive when he has the puck on his stick, but otherwise fades into the background a lot of the time.

I cannot reiterate enough how big it's been that we've now got a good penalty kill and reliable, if not excellent, goaltending. Fixing those two areas have been so important. Because it's not like this team is blowing teams out- Henderson outshot us today by a good margin. But penalties and mistakes don't automatically mean the puck is going to wind up in the net anymore.

 

[Jargon]

I’m a little worried that Eklund’s development got stunted after his NHL trip. Not sure if he’s being overcoached and over-thinking and just needs time to put it all together or it’s all about confidence, but it’d a little worrisome.

 

[Hobocop]

I’m a little worried that Eklund’s development got stunted after his NHL trip. Not sure if he’s being overcoached and over-thinking and just needs time to put it all together or it’s all about confidence, but it’d a little worrisome.

... what's a little worrisome? I'm confused.

edit: I had no idea you guys made a game thread for this one and just noticed it, was surprised nobody had said anything at all about the game when I got home

 

[Pavelski2112]

I’m a little worried that Eklund’s development got stunted after his NHL trip. Not sure if he’s being overcoached and over-thinking and just needs time to put it all together or it’s all about confidence, but it’d a little worrisome.

Eklund had a lot of rough luck last year so I'd be hesitant to be worried yet.

 

[Hobocop]

Eklund had a lot of rough luck last year so I'd be hesitant to be worried yet.

I think for me what it is, 2 things:

1. I don't love the Eklund-Agozzino-Coe line. That can change, seems like each game one of our lines gets hot, but that one I've not seen too many chances from. I wouldn't mind them changing up the top two lines again for next game.

2. I keep harping on it, but our power play has been abysmal and that's not getting mentioned enough. Currently sits at 7.1% with 1 goal on the season (a Reedy deflection). It's too much passing and not enough urgency. The top 6 guys are getting sent out for that and have nothing to show for it. That needs fixing, new strategy is needed.

I mean, I fully believe Eklund could go out Wednesday and put up 3 or 4 points. I'm not concerned at all.

 

[Jargon]

... what's a little worrisome? I'm confused.

edit: I had no idea you guys made a game thread for this one and just noticed it, was surprised nobody had said anything at all about the game when I got home

That his development seems a little stunted? But I could be totally off base, I haven’t seen a ton of him this year so I’m admittedly speaking without much information. But just from his production thus far, etc. Sounds like you think it’s a line chemistry issue though.

 

[hotcabbagesoup]

That his development seems a little stunted? But I could be totally off base, I haven’t seen a ton of him this year so I’m admittedly speaking without much information. But just from his production thus far, etc. Sounds like you think it’s a line chemistry issue though.

He also said he gained 15 lbs from last season to the start of this season. I remember Pavs took off when he started gaining weight in the offseason also and look at him now.

 

[Jargon]

He also said he gained 15 lbs from last season to the start of this season. I remember Pavs took off when he started gaining weight in the offseason also and look at him now.

I don’t know, I’m still not sure that Pavelski has what it takes to make it in this league…

 

[Hobocop]

That his development seems a little stunted? But I could be totally off base, I haven’t seen a ton of him this year so I’m admittedly speaking without much information. But just from his production thus far, etc. Sounds like you think it’s a line chemistry issue though.

Eklund often looks like he's the most skilled player on the ice:





But yeah I just didn't feel like he was on the same page with Agozzino and Coe tonight. More experience together might help, or maybe they just change it up again.

One thing that happened behind the play tonight was one of the Knights decided to hold him up after it'd gone the other way. Eklund didn't back down at all, got himself free and took a swing at the guy. I liked seeing that.

Basically yeah, don't worry about this guy. Not right now, anyway.

 

[OrrNumber4]

It seems like it's to early in the season to be sounding any alarm bells regarding any prospects. However, fact of the matter is that forwards who become high-end NHL contributors tend to either bypass the AHL completely or dominate during their brief time there. I'm not so worried about Eklund being a legit NHLer, since he showed he can handle the NHL pace at 16, but if he's going to be a top line winger he should be lighting the AHL on fire...

 

[Jargon]

It seems like it's to early in the season to be sounding any alarm bells regarding any prospects. However, fact of the matter is that forwards who become high-end NHL contributors tend to either bypass the AHL completely or dominate during their brief time there. I'm not so worried about Eklund being a legit NHLer, since he showed he can handle the NHL pace at 16, but if he's going to be a top line winger he should be lighting the AHL on fire...

Yeah, I guess that’s what I was saying. But if @Hobocop is saying he’s still the most skilled guy on the ice and it’s possibly line-gelling issues, I’m hopeful. I know they’re sort of the same style of player but I’d be curious to try Bordeleau and Eklund together just to see what happens.

 

[Gecklund]

Yeah, I guess that’s what I was saying. But if @Hobocop is saying he’s still the most skilled guy on the ice and it’s possibly line-gelling issues, I’m hopeful. I know they’re sort of the same style of player but I’d be curious to try Bordeleau and Eklund together just to see what happens.

I’d want to see Eklund with someone like Robins or Gushchin. Think either of those guys would compliment him pretty well. Shit throw all 3 together.

 

[Hobocop]

Couple things on cosmetic stuff about the team:

They changed the Barracuda goal song. Everyone used to do that silly goal dance while they played the old one, Saturday we scored and everyone just kinda stood up and awkardly looked around before spinning those rally towels they gave us. I don't know why they did that, the new one is a bit lame. If anything I wish the Sharks would change theirs.

We've also worn nothing but the black uniforms in games, and I'm starting to wonder if this is supposed to be our main look. They're wearing black in the warmup and lineup videos, the two guys on the roster page who aren't in Sharks gear are wearing the black "CUDA" sweaters. I kind of hate it.

Also just felt like adding a random personal anecdote, there was this Japanese family behind us for the opener. Whenever something exciting started to happen the dad let out this loud "Uwaaaaaaa-!" noise in anticipation. I need that guy behind me every game if possible.

 

[CupfortheSharks]

They changed the Barracuda goal song. Everyone used to do that silly goal dance while they played the old one, Saturday we scored and everyone just kinda stood up and awkardly looked around before spinning those rally towels they gave us. I don't know why they did that, the new one is a bit lame. If anything I wish the Sharks would change theirs.

The silly goal dance was fun….and I’m not the silly goal dance kind of guy. Now both the Sharks and Cuda have lame goal songs/celebrations. The old Sharks goal song was better too. If it ain’t broke don’t fix it.

 

[hotcabbagesoup]

It seems like it's to early in the season to be sounding any alarm bells regarding any prospects. However, fact of the matter is that forwards who become high-end NHL contributors tend to either bypass the AHL completely or dominate during their brief time there. I'm not so worried about Eklund being a legit NHLer, since he showed he can handle the NHL pace at 16, but if he's going to be a top line winger he should be lighting the AHL on fire...

Agreed. He could handle the NHL pace at 16, but he's 20 now. What's taking him so long to get here?

 

[Pavelski2112]

Get Ready For This is the best song the Sharks could've picked after it was discovered that Gary Glitter is literally a demon. It was used in promos when the Sharks were new, it's as cheesy as it needs to be. We tried picking another song and they all sucked ass.

 

[Bizz]

The silly goal dance was fun….and I’m not the silly goal dance kind of guy. Now both the Sharks and Cuda have lame goal songs/celebrations. The old Sharks goal song was better too. If it ain’t broke don’t fix it.

 

[OrrNumber4]

Agreed. He could handle the NHL pace at 16, but he's 20 now. What's taking him so long to get here?

Ahaha meant 18.

 

[Evgeny Oliker]

how has Robins looked in the AHL so far?

I see he has 2 goals - from playing on the 4th line?

How would you project him in the NHL? 2nd line guy at best?

 

[Gecklund]

how has Robins looked in the AHL so far?

I see he has 2 goals - from playing on the 4th line?

How would you project him in the NHL? 2nd line guy at best?

I’d say he’s a 2nd/3rd line tweener at best in the NHL. For some reason the guy that pops into my head is Tyler Kennedy although I think Robins is a little more physical and Kennedy was a little more naturally skilled.