GDT: Game 2: 10/6/2019 - Dallas Stars @ Detroit Red Wings - 7 PM ET (FS-D, ESPN+)

[TheMule93]

I feel like larkin hasn't even hit his stride yet...need to see him carrying the puck more, taking more shots.

 

[NickH8]

So refreshing to see a Red Wing power to the net like that, haven't had that in a while.

 

[Martinez]

Fun game. Hronek looked great

 

[The Zetterberg Era]

I feel like larkin hasn't even hit his stride yet...need to see him carrying the puck more, taking more shots.

Larkin is the engine still. I think they are throwing more coverage towards him, but his work rate is making a lot of this happen. I doubt he cares about the points, 4 in 2 isn't bad either.

I mean it is hard that they really kind of have to do this. But I love that the first line is rising to that occasion and trying to take on that tall order.

 

[The Zetterberg Era]

He let in 3 soft goals but came up big when it mattered most. I'll give him that (for now)

That Seguin goal isn't a soft goal. I didn't like the Hintz first goal but he has a heavy shot and did shoot it wrong footed with a pretty good drag, still wish he got something. But you let Seguin in on your goalie bad things are going to happen. That one isn't soft at all. 3rd goal he needs to do better with the rebound control, our D also needs to not be letting guys unmolested for tap ins like that too...

I don't think he was great by any means, I don't think 3 soft goals covers that either...

 

[GMR]

The top line is fun to watch. Teams will likely learn to adjust to that, but we'll have to enjoy the ride for now.

The problem is the other lines. When the other lines are on the ice, I wish we were seeing Zadina, Svechnikov, or Rasmussen, instead of Helm, Abdelkader and Filppula. Not sure why these young players playing on the second line would be bad for their development?

We basically have one scoring line. The rest are checking lines.

 

[Ghost of Ethan Hunt]

Both Hirose & Cholo w/ <8min 5 on 5 (team lows), but each 8+min on PP.

 

[NickH8]

The top line is fun to watch. Teams will likely learn to adjust to that, but we'll have to enjoy the ride for now.

The problem is the other lines. When the other lines are on the ice, I wish we were seeing Zadina, Svechnikov, or Rasmussen, instead of Helm, Abdelkader and Filppula. Not sure why these young players playing on the second line would be bad for their development?

We basically have one scoring line. The rest are checking lines.

I agree, there is no offense past the first line plus AA. Hopefully one of those three you listed lights up the AHL to earn a spot.

 

[Henkka]

The top line is fun to watch. Teams will likely learn to adjust to that, but we'll have to enjoy the ride for now.

The problem is the other lines.

I would be ready to split guys, when Athanasiou comes back. Larkin bodes well with Bertuzzi and AA and Mantha could work together.


Bertuzzi - Larkin - XXX
Athanasiou - XXX - Mantha (or why not AA in the middle)

It would be really nice if Svechnikov and Veleno could steal those spots at some point.

 

[Gniwder]

Highlights:

Mantha could easily have had 5, robbed at 9:35 mark of the video.

 

[TheMule93]

Excited to see AA whenever he gets back into the lineup. Thought he looked good in the preseason.

 

[bearball]

I would be ready to split guys, when Athanasiou comes back. Larkin bodes well with Bertuzzi and AA and Mantha could work together.


Bertuzzi - Larkin - XXX
Athanasiou - XXX - Mantha (or why not AA in the middle)

It would be really nice if Svechnikov and Veleno could steal those spots at some point.

I hear you, but there really is no way we can break up the MOD (top) line right now.

 

[lilidk]

Bring Zadina in , put him with Larkin and Mantha

 

[Bondurant]

Took a stroll around the block with a Rocky Patel Java Mint Robusto. Twas a nice a walk.

Heiskanen is a fine player. I'd be like Randy Marsh if we had him alongside Hronek.

 

[The Zetterberg Era]

Bring Zadina in , put him with Larkin and Mantha

Why??? That is a terrible idea. They have been one of the best lines in hockey now for what 10 to 15 games. Zadina isn't even NHL ready. Let him develop. Barring injury there is absolutely no reason to break up that line and if you are taking out Bert your best bet prospect wise is probably Svechnikov right now in terms of replacement.

 

[deca guard]

 

[The Zetterberg Era]

I would be ready to split guys, when Athanasiou comes back. Larkin bodes well with Bertuzzi and AA and Mantha could work together.


Bertuzzi - Larkin - XXX
Athanasiou - XXX - Mantha (or why not AA in the middle)

It would be really nice if Svechnikov and Veleno could steal those spots at some point.

You don't need to break up the first line. We need to find guys to play with AA or whatever our second line should be. Leave the first line alone, ride this for a little while at least.

 

[MabusIncarnate]

Bring Zadina in , put him with Larkin and Mantha

I'm kinda new here, how do I delete this post?

 

[Gniwder]

The top line is fun to watch. Teams will likely learn to adjust to that, but we'll have to enjoy the ride for now.

The problem is the other lines. When the other lines are on the ice, I wish we were seeing Zadina, Svechnikov, or Rasmussen, instead of Helm, Abdelkader and Filppula. Not sure why these young players playing on the second line would be bad for their development?

We basically have one scoring line. The rest are checking lines.

Zadina's not anywhere close to ready, at this rate we'll see Veleno first. Svech for sure though. Getting abused at the pro level is never good for development, players lose confidence when things don't work. That's what was happening with Zadina pre-season, and that was against half AHL players.

The team wants Raz to be a center, otherwise he'd probably be with the Wings. Not sure that's the right decision, but who am I to disagree with Stevie?

Both Hirose & Cholo w/ <8min 5 on 5 (team lows), but each 8+min on PP.

That's what I would expect in close games. Hirose needs sheltered minutes until AA gets back, I'm very skeptical of Cholo's D. I see both players getting even smaller roles if the PP doesn't start producing. The 5 on 3's were pathetic, Hirose needs to get in the dirty area when the team's up 2 men. He should've been whacking at the rebound on the last one.

 

[Gniwder]

The first line is single handedly winning games. HFBoards logic dictates that it must be broken up.

 

[GMR]

Zadina's not anywhere close to ready, at this rate we'll see Veleno first. Svech for sure though. Getting abused at the pro level is never good for development, players lose confidence when things don't work. That's what was happening with Zadina pre-season, and that was against half AHL players.

The team wants Raz to be a center, otherwise he'd probably be with the Wings. Not sure that's the right decision, but who am I to disagree with Stevie?


That's what I would expect in close games. Hirose needs sheltered minutes until AA gets back, I'm very skeptical of Cholo's D. I see both players getting even smaller roles if the PP doesn't start producing. The 5 on 3's were pathetic, Hirose needs to get in the dirty area when the team's up 2 men. He should've been whacking at the rebound on the last one.

Why would they be getting abused? Rasmussen played in the NHL last year. How is being sent to the minors better for his development than taking away some playing time from our other lines?

I'm not a big believer in sending top prospects to the minors to play against scrubs. How many good NHL players spent significant time in the minors before becoming good NHL players? I can't think of many. Zadina already played in the minors last year. Now they're sending him there again. Zadina was drafted 6th two years ago. It's time to see what he can do with decent ice time in the NHL. This team doesn't have a lot of scoring depth, so he could get playing time.

Svechnikov has been around the system long enough where it's time to see what he can do. Not in the AHL, but in the NHL. Are they waiting until he's 23 before they deem him ready? He's already spent several seasons in the minors.

 

[Ghost of Ethan Hunt]

You don't need to break up the first line. We need to find guys to play with AA or whatever our second line should be. Leave the first line alone, ride this for a little while at least.

Exactly. To add to that, this is a quasi-tank/throw away year in order to let the kids mature & not get beat up, but hit the ground running by TDL and/or 2020. AA is a 1-man show most of the time, so Hirose & Flip should be fine for this year only. If Flip fails in that role, Nielsen can replace him. I wouldn't care if they put Flip & Frans w/AA as the 2nd line. Hirose shouldn't be a player we have to cater our lineup to, nor should he automatically be in the Top 6....He had the lowest 5 on 5 TOI tonight among F's, as did Cholo on D. Both had more PP time, than even strength. As long as Hirose gets .63ppg (50 pt. pace) & not terrible defensivly (goals against) he should stay w/AA + Flip/Frans.

Besides, with the log jam on F coming in 2020, Hirose might be a valueable sign & trade chip. Ultimately I think he ends up a 3rd line PP specialist, when JV & Zadina? or Svech surpass him. His lack of size & speed may limit him in the Top 6 once we're a playoff team.

 

[Gniwder]

Why would they be getting abused? Rasmussen played in the NHL last year. How is being sent to the minors better for his development than taking away some playing time from our other lines?

Raz won't, I stated he's there to learn how to be a center.

If the first line keeps playing this way, Stevie is going to put the best players he can on the ice. They'll be called up as soon as they're ready, and I'm guessing Svech is first. AHL time won't stunt development for the rest of them.

I have faith in Stevie.

 

[deca guard]

Both Hirose & Cholo w/ <8min 5 on 5 (team lows), but each 8+min on PP.

i agree with blash on this as neither impressin me much 5on5 , and both have more offensive talent than blash other pp options . btw , i never watch pre or post game or between periods . but tonite i watched blash post game grilling and was impressed , hes once again striking as a coach with the smarts and emotional sturdiness to be a leader in the bigs just like he did the job in the van .

 

[GMR]

Raz won't, I stated he's there to learn how to be a center.

If the first line keeps playing this way, Stevie is going to put the best players he can on the ice. They'll be called up as soon as they're ready, and I'm guessing Svech is first. AHL time won't stunt development for the rest of them.

I have faith in Stevie.

If Zadina is not as good as our anybody on our second line, then I'm really worried.