GDT: Game 14: Sharks vs. Blue Jackets 7:30pm NBCSCA Return of the Mack

[Barrie22]

Smith is a player if he gets to his top potential offensively to be a 40-40 player and maybe for career year a 40-50 or 50-40 player.

 

[Hobocop]

When Thompson came over last year and I watched him with the Cuda, I was thinking that he had the feel of a Jason Demers or Justin Braun late-round gem that could develop into something more.

Braun really took that next step when he locked in and hired a skating coach. He was a solid bottom pairing guy before that, but his skating jumping from good to great made a world of difference for him. I think Thompson's brain and hands are there. If he got a step faster and a bit stronger, I think we're talking about a real player.

Thompson's defensive zone play was absolutely woeful last season and that's the part that concerned me about him. I dunno if it's the coaching change or just him getting better in that area, but his improvement there has made him a much more legit prospect.

 

[pappaf2]

That's a little unfair considering Malhotra had a severe eye injury in 2011 that very much helped that rapid fall off. (Also Malhotra only played one year as a Shark)

Good call I forgot about the eye. I looked back and saw it was only a year with the sharks. Funny for some reason I felt like it was a couple years.

 

[Juxtaposer]

Thompson's defensive zone play was absolutely woeful last season and that's the part that concerned me about him. I dunno if it's the coaching change or just him getting better in that area, but his improvement there has made him a much more legit prospect.

Braun was the same way, didn't really become a strong defensive player until he was already an NHLer. The Cuda (and the Sharks) were such a mess last year that I took everyone with a grain of salt, too.

 

[Jargon]

If Thompson becomes a legit player that’s a hell of a trade by Grier.

 

[TheBigDrunkPanda]

So he put Cele, Smith, Thompson and even Thrun out there. Thrun made a pass to the goalie because he has slow footspeed even though he has gotten rest/was healthy-scratched which is kinda questionable.

Not a fan of that pass, however he’s giving the kids some ownership of the team to go out and win the game which is honestly good coaching

 

[TheBigDrunkPanda]

I missed the whole Walman thing, was he actually healthy scratched? I remember last game it looked like he injured his wrist early, maybe it was to rest it?

I think It was a good move by Barfsofsky, shows that no one is getting free ride.

 

[mogambomoroo]

This year we will only have good problems as team for the first time in a while. If Celebrini/Smith etc. push us to be a lot better team (#5-#8), it's a good problem. If we draft top #1-#3, it's a good problem.
If we by some miracle make it to a wild card position or near it (highly highly unlikely) it's a good problem.

 

[Barrie22]

I think It was a good move by Barfsofsky, shows that no one is getting free ride.

Would make sense if he had the same reactions to the veterans like ceci, Ferraro and Rutta.

 

[Anomie2029]

I think It was a good move by Barfsofsky, shows that no one is getting free ride.

 

[Jargon]

I think It was a good move by Barfsofsky, shows that no one is getting free ride.

Every part of my body cringes when you write Barfsofsky, please make it stop

 

[Zarzh]

How the heck are these other teams keep losing to a bunch of AHLers with that defense? Is it coaching mastery or pure lucky bounces?

Because the forwards are actually respectable if they're put in a position to succeed. If you run 3 scoring lines (which they aren't quite doing) you'll win a decent amount of games off of skill and circumstance.