GDT: CARPIT

[Tryamw]

Yeah, Bear doesn't deserve first pairing minutes, but I'm guessing a Skjei - Bear pairing would be a butt-pucker-fest most of the game.

We like our second pair!.

 

[spockBokk]

Bear is a decent enough place-holder next to an elite D like Slavin. IMO, he’s not a top 4, certainly not top pair RD, but with Slavin, he’s just good enough to mostly make that pair work.

 

[larueskee]

Yeah, Bear doesn't deserve first pairing minutes, but I'm guessing a Skjei - Bear pairing would be a butt-pucker-fest most of the game.

I almost prefer Smith get back.

 

[AhosDatsyukian]

I almost prefer Smith get back.

he has at least been offering some great physicality lately before his injury. Once we get TDA and Smith back I think Bear should be a scratch again.

 

[MinJaBen]

he has at least been offering some great physicality lately before his injury. Once we get TDA and Smith back I think Bear should be a scratch again.

I'm not sure Chatfield isn't also offering that. And he can skate better than Smith. That said, Smith's shot is a bit more dangerous.

 

[AhosDatsyukian]

I'm not sure Chatfield isn't also offering that. And he can skate better than Smith. That said, Smith's shot is a bit more dangerous.

Chatfield is solid and I prefer him over Bear too and probably over Smith. That being said, Chatfield definitely isn't offering the same physicality that Smith has been. Chat isn't afraid to get in the action but Smith is out there destroying guys.

 

[NotOpie]

Also, call the freaking picks ref…

There are two teams that systematically use the "pick" as part of both their offensive and defensive strategy - Pittsburgh and to a slightly lesser extent Boston. And NEITHER of them get called on it. The Pens especially use it to great effect, clearing shooters and lanes for shots. They will never get called for it because reasons.....

Bear is a decent enough place-holder next to an elite D like Slavin. IMO, he’s not a top 4, certainly not top pair RD, but with Slavin, he’s just good enough to mostly make that pair work.

In my opinion, it frustrates Jaccob too. But he's to nice to say anything about it, only continually trying to help Bear and cover for him. I like Bear and only think he needs more time in a defensive system like ours that ultimately matches his style. He also needs to either work on his skating speed, or learn how to use spacing better. He's getting beaten by faster skaters too often.

That being said, Chatfield definitely isn't offering the same physicality that Smith has been.

I wouldn't be so assured that Smith comes back as physical as he was prior to injury. A busted noggin is going to lead to more "careful" play.

 

[CanesUltimate11]

There are two teams that systematically use the "pick" as part of both their offensive and defensive strategy - Pittsburgh and to a slightly lesser extent Boston. And NEITHER of them get called on it. The Pens especially use it to great effect, clearing shooters and lanes for shots. They will never get called for it because reasons.....

Tampa does it a lot as well I've seen but to their credit most of the time they are proper picks (if you will) where the guy isn't moving. Not the moving screens (if I can use a basketball term) that Pitts was doing on Sunday.

 

[Navin R Slavin]

I wouldn't be so assured that Smith comes back as physical as he was prior to injury. A busted noggin is going to lead to more "careful" play.

Possible, but he is 33, and at a certain point your game is your game. If he doesn't play the game he needs to play, he sits, and he knows it.

Maybe a long heart-to-heart with Ian Cole, who has had some pretty gruesome injuries and still plays that way.

 

[NotOpie]

Possible, but he is 33, and at a certain point your game is your game. If he doesn't play the game he needs to play, he sits, and he knows it.

Maybe a long heart-to-heart with Ian Cole, who has had some pretty gruesome injuries and still plays that way.

True....plus it's probably close to his last post-season run.