Coyotedroppings
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GDT: Game 3: Coyotes @ Vegas (#1 of 4) - 8pm - NBCSN
- Thread starter TheLegend
- Start date
Tom Polakis
Next expansion
Too much bagging on Capo in this thread. Yeah, he got walked, and made some bad decisions in his own zone, but this is the same Capo that looked like a decent bottom-pairing guy in the nine games he played last season. I'm pretty sure that management won't give up on him after one game.
Coyotedroppings
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We’ve seen strong forechecking early in season’s past, only to falter.
technoviking
Whatever's Clever
_Del_
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Only a few games in with no exhibition games played, so I don't think we can make too much of what we've seen so far from any team. Teams are going to tighten up and get better. Hopefully we will, too.
But it's also undeniable that we got rid of six guys (Hall, Stepan, Richardson, Grabner, Soda,and Vinnie-- a couple of whom were highly-touted as part of our "leadership core"), and replaced them with budget signings, and we have already seen a higher energy level than the team mustered in the playoffs this summer.
Hopefully we can keep it up, and the defense gels with time. We looked okay in the first game, took it to the Sharks in the second game, and we outplayed Vegas who should be a top 5 team on paper for most of the last one. The last two games got chippy and were exactly the kinds of games we'd completely disappear in last year.
It's easy to see positives right now: Brassard looks good so far. Winning battles, good energy, decent skill level to complement our more one dimensional wingers. Looks like a middle-six C. Pitlick is a buzzsaw as predicted. Brings it every shift. Larsson doing a great job taking over for Soda between Fish and Crouse. We haven't seen peak-Cags yet (and may not after he got his brain scrambled), but he's showing at least as well as Vinnie.
It all seems to be rubbing off on the rest of the team, too. Kessel looks alive and is skating. Even backchecking instead of being hunched over and gassed after 15 seconds. He's got some good bounces, and at least looks like an NHL player. Huge. Keller looks as good as he's looked since his rookie year. Fischer isn't taking shifts off. Garland is something special. Hayton doesn't look out of place and is getting special teams time. Even Capo got rope to play and a bit of PP time, though he had some gaffes. We might actually take risks and develop some guys for once in the last decade.
Only three games in, but there are definitely some encouraging signs of life.
But it's also undeniable that we got rid of six guys (Hall, Stepan, Richardson, Grabner, Soda,and Vinnie-- a couple of whom were highly-touted as part of our "leadership core"), and replaced them with budget signings, and we have already seen a higher energy level than the team mustered in the playoffs this summer.
Hopefully we can keep it up, and the defense gels with time. We looked okay in the first game, took it to the Sharks in the second game, and we outplayed Vegas who should be a top 5 team on paper for most of the last one. The last two games got chippy and were exactly the kinds of games we'd completely disappear in last year.
It's easy to see positives right now: Brassard looks good so far. Winning battles, good energy, decent skill level to complement our more one dimensional wingers. Looks like a middle-six C. Pitlick is a buzzsaw as predicted. Brings it every shift. Larsson doing a great job taking over for Soda between Fish and Crouse. We haven't seen peak-Cags yet (and may not after he got his brain scrambled), but he's showing at least as well as Vinnie.
It all seems to be rubbing off on the rest of the team, too. Kessel looks alive and is skating. Even backchecking instead of being hunched over and gassed after 15 seconds. He's got some good bounces, and at least looks like an NHL player. Huge. Keller looks as good as he's looked since his rookie year. Fischer isn't taking shifts off. Garland is something special. Hayton doesn't look out of place and is getting special teams time. Even Capo got rope to play and a bit of PP time, though he had some gaffes. We might actually take risks and develop some guys for once in the last decade.
Only three games in, but there are definitely some encouraging signs of life.
Tom Polakis
Next expansion
That was one of my thoughts, but a big difference is that the offensive zone possession (at least in the first two periods) appears to have actually been coached, unlike past seasons.
Sm00chy
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Tough assignment for your first game in a long time (not sure when his last game action was). Being thrown into every situation against a top team in the league.
This board typically complains of Yotes prospects being sheltered and not getting minutes in key situations. Well this is what it looks like. Its not always pretty, but it is a learning experience and he will become a better player because of it.
TheLegend
"Just say it 3 times..."
MIGs Dog
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TheLegend
"Just say it 3 times..."
Or the coach will become better and spoon feed him those tougher minutes. Games like that can also hurt a young players confidence.
I wonder about RT sometimes, its either throw him to the wolves like last night or sit in the press box, no in between. I saw a question about Garland on CNBC, asked RT why he was at 14 minutes and yet his leading scorer last year. RT sited play without the puck as the reason for lower minutes? I just wonder, what about Kessel away from the puck, he still got minutes?
WrinkledPossum
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- Apr 23, 2016
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I agree. I don't think we turtled, it was more that Vegas finally showed up. They've also outscored opponents 7-0 in the 3rd this year. Their broadcasters were also talking about their 3rd period dominance since bubble in Edmonton.
We do need more pushback but they're a very good team. Have to give them credit. Gonna be very interesting how this plays out in the next 3 games.
PatrikBerglund
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