GDT: Game 29/82 Blues @ Nucks 9PM CST FDSNMW

[Snubbed4Vezina]

Is Buch the new whipping boy? He had a good game last night and is riding a 6-game point streak. I can’t see how anyone could say he didn’t play well.

It’s amazing that once again, he’s producing now that he’s not playing center.

 

[Thallis]

If this were a 3 on 3 league we'd be a real contender

 

[joe galiba]

It was lower body right? Something they initially thought didn't need surgery. It could be anything, knee, ankle, hip, grundle.

The wheel on his fancy walker is sticking

 

[ChicagoBlues]

Oops, I really dropped the ball on that one

You're nuts!

 

[ChicagoBlues]

Bolduc has been a quiet, pleasant player to watch this season. His development has been gradual but consistent. I’m starting to really appreciate his work ethic as he seems determined to help the team win. He’s putting himself in plays and is still always actively trying to cover his defensive assignments, even if it isn’t successful.

I always viewed his game would be a flawed goal scorer with a similar impact to a Jordan Eberle. But it’s apparent how much he’s working and hustling. Him and Holloway both just getting the results this game is the icing on the cake.

Gradual but consistent. The kid is flexible and adaptable.

 

[TheDizee]

Past few weeks has been more entertaining hockey than the previous year combined.

Drew Bannister should never be near a NHL bench again.

 

[ChicagoBlues]

Past few weeks has been more entertaining hockey than the previous year combined.

Drew Bannister should never be near a NHL bench again.

NEVER!!!

 

[BleedBlue14]

Is Buch the new whipping boy? He had a good game last night and is riding a 6-game point streak. I can’t see how anyone could say he didn’t play well.

It’s amazing that once again, he’s producing now that he’s not playing center.

He hasn't been fantastic, but yeah it seems that way. It feels like he's being overshadowed by our new shiny toys for now. Probably a combination of the shiny new toys and a bit of should we have moved him, and it seems like when someone gets a raise they are instantly under the microscope.

 

[TheDizee]

He hasn't been fantastic, but yeah it seems that way. It feels like he's being overshadowed by our new shiny toys for now. Probably a combination of the shiny new toys and a bit of should we have moved him, and it seems like when someone gets a raise they are instantly under the microscope.

It is very simple. Sign a big contract, expect bigger expectations and performances from the PAYING customers.

If I get a pay increase at my job and half ass it and stink up the joint, should I expect everyone to kiss my ass and not want to fire me too? It is no different here. This is why the fanbase despises Kyrou (rightfully so).

I don't think Buch is near Krug or Kyrou territory yet. But if this nonsense continues for another year or two, he will be for sure.

 

[Brian39]

Is Buch the new whipping boy? He had a good game last night and is riding a 6-game point streak. I can’t see how anyone could say he didn’t play well.

It’s amazing that once again, he’s producing now that he’s not playing center.

He's point per game under Monty, who recently made it very clear that he views Buch as a winger who will only play center in a pinch. Count me in the group that isn't at all worried about Buch.

 

[blue zone]

Is it just me, but did Monty come in and notice that Kyrou and Bolduc have nasty one timers...and decide that it might be useful to utilize them.

 

[BleedBlue14]

It is very simple. Sign a big contract, expect bigger expectations and performances from from the PAYING customers.

If I get a pay increase at my job and half ass it and stink up the joint, should I expect everyone to kiss my ass and not want to fire me too? It is no different here. This is why the fanbase despises Kyrou (rightfully so).

I don't think Buch is near Krug or Kyrou territory yet. But if this nonsense continues for another year or two, he will be for sure.

These are not year to year contracts. These are termed agreements. This also isn't an industry where the sole performance indicator is effort. It's really odd to think that Kyrou is "stinking it up. The quality of the roster has gone down significantly since he signed his contract. He's been asked to be a more responsible player and grow that aspect of his game on the fly while keeping up production. I'd argue he's done a pretty good job of it.

Now let's also factor in the 3 different coaches in the 2 year span. What company changes direction/strategies and expects continual growth in the same category?

There is a big difference between a CEO or employee getting a raise and mailing it in versus an athlete not continually hitting career marks every season in an 8 year window. The difference between Buch and Kyrou's situations is alot different. Kyrou was signed when he was 24 which is still a developmental year and Buch was extended at 30 which should still be his prime.

Jordan Kyrou is tied for 58th in points currently. Let's also put the understanding that the Blues have been without two very key pieces for a month of the season in Broberg and Thomas. Him and Thomas are tied for the 69th largest AAV contract. I just fail to see the reasoning in the constant complaining aside from the fact that the team was subpar during the frame of time and you can't single out everybody. Jordan Kyrou is not Robert Thomas, he never will be and he shouldn't be expected to be. But the need to complain about someone who is producing up to industry standards and isn't in the top 1% of value amongst the competition is odd.

It can't rationally be as simple as ok now you're making more money you have to now double your production. That's very unreasonable in a game in which you can't single handedly do everything.

 

[CaliforniaBlues310]

They were 9-11-1 before the Islander game and finished 14-13-2 after playing 6 playoff teams on the road. I think we’d all take that on November 21.

Pre-coaching change, I looked at the schedule we just went through, and assumed the bottom was gonna fall out very, very quickly if we didn’t hire Monty. This 5-1-1 stretch we’ve had since the change has been extremely impressive given the competition.

 

[TheOrganist]

Pre-coaching change, I looked at the schedule we just went through, and assumed the bottom was gonna fall out very, very quickly if we didn’t hire Monty. This 5-1-1 stretch we’ve had since the change has been extremely impressive given the competition.

Definitely...it felt like we were going to be in the running for a lottery pick as of seven games ago. How things have changed.

 

[jura]

 

[Snubbed4Vezina]

Is it just me, but did Monty come in and notice that Kyrou and Bolduc have nasty one timers...and decide that it might be useful to utilize them.

I think Monty came in with the innovative idea that if you shoot the puck more instead of playing pat-a-cake out on the perimeter, you'll probably score more goals.

 

[Stupendous Yappi]

Another late night game up in Canada, this time against the Canucks. Let's see how the Blues come out after their first regulation loss of the season under Monty. Haven't seen lineups yet.

Neighbours - Thomas - Buchnevich
Holloway - Schenn - Kyrou
Saad - Sundqvist - Bolduc
Toropchenko - Faksa - Walker

Broberg - Parayko
Suter - Faulk
Joseph - Kessel

Hofer

Im starting to think this is the playoff train.

 

[joe galiba]

I think Monty came in with the innovative idea that if you shoot the puck more instead of playing pat-a-cake out on the perimeter, you'll probably score more goals.

hey now, that is just crazy talk!

 

[Linkens Mastery]

Im starting to think this is the playoff train.

It's the Monty Train

 

[jura]

who's makin The Full Monty playoff avatars?

 

[Linkens Mastery]

who's makin The Full Monty playoff avatars?

I just want one with Montys face on the front of a train engine. Lol. I'm too lazy and not skilled enough at photo shop.

 

[BlueSeal]

It's the Monty Train

From now on, we need the threads to be nothing but trains with Monty's face on the front.

EDIT: Just read your last post, great minds thinking alike lol. I'll make you some!

 

[Xerloris]

who's makin The Full Monty playoff avatars?

If only we still had Bortuzzo and Fabbri so we could use pictures of them in speedos.

 

[BadgersandBlues]

All this hand-wringing over Buch is way overblown imo. Since Monty came back and moved Buch back to Thomas' wing, he's put up 2g 3a 5p in 5 games. He's sporting an xGF% of 58.4, 4th best on the team with a HDCF% of 66%, while not getting fed sheltered minutes at all. He has picked up right where he left off the last couple of years with RThom, who let's be honest, has generally played his best as well with Buch on his wing. Buch is a big man who creates a lot of space with his hard work and puck retreival skills; he also has an exceptionally high IQ to read what Thomas wants to do, and finally has enough overall skill to make it all work. He looks every bit the elite Hossa-esque winger to Thomas' better playmaking Toews and we should all cherish that.

I'm extremely interested to see how much more development we can get out of Holloway and Bolduc. Those two have been dynamite together since Monty came on board, our best two forwards from an xGF% with Bolduc sporting a 22-10 High Danger and Holloway is sporting a 23-14 High Danger stat line. We have also not sheltered them much at all/given them the offensive zone start "candy" as Panger used to call it. If this can turn into a sustained effort from them, it would go a long way into turning us back into a legit contender. I've been thinking a line of Neighbors-Dvo-Kyrou would eventually slot as our second line, but now I'm wondering if we go Bolduc-Dvo-Holloway and Kyrou gets moved for a legit #1 D, as long as Snuggy comes as advertised.