GDT: Game #1 of 82: Blues @ Avs - 8pm CT

[BlueSeal]

i watched no preseason but heard neal scored a hatty ... tonight nothing ? bozak and barbie cant hold the fort ?

We went against the AVs and got a decisive victory. I’m happy with that!

Work on it as we go.

 

[i aint Dunn yet]

We went against the AVs and got a decisive victory. I’m happy with that!

Work on it as we go.

i agree

 

[Robb_K]

He was technically sent to the AHL, but it was just a "paper" move before they put Sundqvist on LTIR at the start of the season. I don't think Kostin ever actually went anywhere or left the team.

That said, I'd love to see Kostin in over Neal. Thought Neal looked really bad tonight, but maybe it was just a poor match up for him against a fast team like the avs and he would look better in a more grinding less free wheeling game...

No doubt that playing vs. The Avs is about the worst matchup for Neal. Personally, I thought after last season that his career was through. He looked a little better during this season's pre-season. But skaters weren't really skating full out then. Personally, I think they might be better off putting a younger player with some upside in his roster spot. But, we'll see how he does early. I don't have a lot of hope that his play will be a plus for The Blues over a younger player like Kostin.

 

[AjaxManifesto]

Wow...one game in and Neal is already in the doghouse with some.

I have no idea why.

 

[i aint Dunn yet]

No doubt that playing vs. The Avs is about the worst matchup for Neal. Per5sonally, I thought after last season that his career was through. He looked a little better during this season's pre-season. But skaters weren't really skating full out then. Personally, I think they might be better off putting a younger player with some upside in his roster spot. But, we'll see how he does early. I don't have a lot of hope that his play will be a plus for The Blues over a younger player like Kostin.

^this^

 

[i aint Dunn yet]

Wow...one game in and Neal is already in the doghouse with some.

I have no idea why.

 

[TheDizee]

Wow...one game in and Neal is already in the doghouse with some.

I have no idea why.

he was MIA tonight to be fair but its only 1 game. lets see how he does as we move along here

 

[i aint Dunn yet]

im not down on neal ... i just want the kids to get a legit shot

 

[parliamentlite]

^this^

There's also some potential upside for Kostin replacing Neal...that's exactly the type of player he should emulate and try to be.

 

[i aint Dunn yet]

insert : they took our jobs

 

[542365]

Glad the Blues won, but getting caved in against the Avs without 2/3rds of their top line is not exactly encouraging news. Hopefully we take it to Arizona on Monday.

 

[sfvega]

...no?

Not league-wide, but on our team. The year we won the Cup, Bortuzzo I believe was our leading Corsi, xGA defender. The year prior Eddy was at or near the top of our charts. Parayko and Bouw were not, despite our heavy reliance on them.

And to be clear, I'm not completely discounting advanced stats. I just don't like people using them as their entire argument.

 

[Xerloris]

he was MIA tonight to be fair but its only 1 game. lets see how he does as we move along here

At least he didn't make a terrible pass while on the PP that lead to Krug being forced to take a penalty which then lead to a goal against.

 

[Bobby Orrtuzzo]

 

[Robb_K]

There's also some potential upside for Kostin replacing Neal...that's exactly the type of player he should emulate and try to be.

Yes. I wouldn't mind him playing like Neal did 5-8 years ago.

 

[Robb_K]

Tarasenko doesn't have a traditional wind up for his shot which tricks you into thinking he has a quick release when in reality its more sneaky than quick. He basically stickhandles the puck a couple times and uses the weight of the puck to create additional flex in the stick which of course ends up in more velocity. Go back and watch the vast majority of his shots and you will see him do this. It's also part of the reason you don't see him take many one-timers.

Yes, I know what his shot looks like, I've watched all but maybe 2 or 3 of his NHL games, plus a few KHL games. To me it's quick, because it's "sudden" because the goalie hasn't seen it start and "develop". It comes at him, seemingly out of nowhere, as there is no warning. So the goalie hasn't started to make his move to get his body, stick or glove in position by the time the shot is already sailing in his direction. That's "quick to me".

 

[MortiestOfMortys]

Not league-wide, but on our team. The year we won the Cup, Bortuzzo I believe was our leading Corsi, xGA defender. The year prior Eddy was at or near the top of our charts. Parayko and Bouw were not, despite our heavy reliance on them.

And to be clear, I'm not completely discounting advanced stats. I just don't like people using them as their entire argument.

Bortuzzo has been our best defenseman statistically, relative to his deployment, for many years. That isn’t an outlandish thing to see if you watch him play. He’s efficient at keeping pucks to the outside, he blocks shots reliably, and he smothers people along the boards. He can also skate very well for a guy his size, and has sneaky good offensive instincts. Is he a guy you want playing 30 mins a night? No, but that’s not what the stats tell us about him. He’s a really good player for us, and he plays his role extremely well. Were he left handed, I think people would see him in a bit of a different light right now. He’s exactly what you want in a bottom-pairing defender, and is likely one of the best 3RDs in the league.

 

[stl76]

No doubt that playing vs. The Avs is about the worst matchup for Neal. Personally, I thought after last season that his career was through. He looked a little better during this season's pre-season. But skaters weren't really skating full out then. Personally, I think they might be better off putting a younger player with some upside in his roster spot. But, we'll see how he does early. I don't have a lot of hope that his play will be a plus for The Blues over a younger player like Kostin.

Yeah, I'm curious to see how Neal keeps up with the speed/intensity of the regular season. I don't mind giving him some time to see if he can regain his scoring touch, but when we have a good young player with upside like Kostin sitting in the pressbox, Neal should have a short leash IMO.

Wow...one game in and Neal is already in the doghouse with some.

I have no idea why.

Ask Berube, he's the one who demoted Neal to the 4th line.

 

[Robb_K]

One game.
We WON.

Some good.
Some bad.

Give it a few games and we’ll see what we got here but for now I’m happy.

LGB!!!

Who wouldn't be? Winning the opener against one of the top 3 teams in The NHL on THEIR home ice 5,000 feet up in the air, while trying to integrate several new team members into the lineup........ I'll take a win like that, ANY time!

 

[Bobby Orrtuzzo]

Haven’t read through the whole thread but how did neighbours look?

 

[DoubleK81]

I’d rather have a physical 2 way player that plays his ass off than Tarasenko. I’m done with his lazy ass. No wonder nobody wanted him.

The sad thing is, outside of a few games here or there this is how he has always been.

 

[parliamentlite]

Yes, I know what his shot looks like, I've watched all but maybe 2 or 3 of his NHL games, plus a few KHL games. To me it's quick, because it's "sudden" because the goalie hasn't seen it start and "develop". It comes at him, seemingly out of nowhere, as there is no warning. So the goalie hasn't started to make his move to get his body, stick or glove in position by the time the shot is already sailing in his direction. That's "quick to me".

It could be described best as a quick and deceptive *release*. I think it was the NHL network that did a great breakdown on it...essentially goalies don't know which side on the net he is shooting towards based on looking at his wrists.

Vladi has a quick and deceptive release. He does not have a *quick shot* nor is he a one-timer type of shooter.

 

[Robb_K]

Haven’t read through the whole thread but how did neighbours look?

He looked good early, skated hard, playing a physical game, making some good, timely passes. He made a good shot. He blended into the scenery later. But THAT'S not a bad thing for a 19-year old playing amongst men. He didn't look out of place at all. Made me hope that Berube decides to keep him on The Big Team's roster all season. One of the best debuts for an under 20 Blues rookie's first NHL game that I can remember.

 

[sfvega]

Bortuzzo has been our best defenseman statistically, relative to his deployment, for many years. That isn’t an outlandish thing to see if you watch him play. He’s efficient at keeping pucks to the outside, he blocks shots reliably, and he smothers people along the boards. He can also skate very well for a guy his size, and has sneaky good offensive instincts. Is he a guy you want playing 30 mins a night? No, but that’s not what the stats tell us about him. He’s a really good player for us, and he plays his role extremely well. Were he left handed, I think people would see him in a bit of a different light right now. He’s exactly what you want in a bottom-pairing defender, and is likely one of the best 3RDs in the league.

I know deployment matters. That's one of the problems with advanced stats as telling the entire story.

And I like Bortz quite a bit. I'd say more than most. I don't think he's what I would call a "really good player for us" or a great 3rd pairing D. He's really more of a 7D at this point. But he always gives his best effort, he does block shots, he plays the PK pretty well IMO, he clears the crease, sticks up for his teammates. But defensively in a league that is getting better as skating every year, he's a liability in a larger role and at times even in his limited role. There are games when he drives you nuts, and just gets burnt and cross-checks guys. And that's probably going to be a thing to watch for guys like him and Chara now that the league is cracking down on cross-checks. Can't just go around bullying skilled players. Which sucks, but I get it.

 

[Thallis]

Yeah, I'm curious to see how Neal keeps up with the speed/intensity of the regular season. I don't mind giving him some time to see if he can regain his scoring touch, but when we have a good young player with upside like Kostin sitting in the pressbox, Neal should have a short leash IMO.


Ask Berube, he's the one who demoted Neal to the 4th line.

The problem is that if Kostin was good he'd have an every day role on this team. The spot was practically gifted to him by trading Sanford and he not only didn't take it, he barely made the team.