When you can put your 19 year old top playmaking prospect with a guy who has one even strength goal in 27 games, you simply gotta.I’m not really sure Wennberg and Smith even make sense together. Smith can shoot, sure, but they’re both pass-first guys, leaving… Barclay Goodrow as the finisher.
It’s about Wennberg hitting utahs defense with magnum they will be stunned and it will open up a lane for smith to shootWhen you can put your 19 year old top playmaking prospect with a guy who has one even strength goal in 27 games, you simply gotta.
I don't want Celebrini to be "fine", want him to thrive, those two of on such different paths I'd like to see them separate at even strengthCelebrini and Smith should play together. It’s the best thing for Smith’s development. Celebrini can play with anyone and be fine.
Fine wasn’t really the right word. I think Celebrini will thrive with any combination of the other top 6ish forwards on the team. Smith needs more help, and can learn the most from Celebrini.I don't want Celebrini to be "fine", want him to thrive, those two of on such different paths I'd like to see them separate at even strength
Celebrini is on pace for 35 goals and 66 points in 70 games while providing break even defense in a bad defensive environment
Smith is on pace for 15 goals and 33 points in 74 games while being a poor defender himself
Celebrini is a top-6 center, Smith is a developmental project, these who are not on the same track and shouldn't be playing together, Celebrini should have the luxury of playing with linemates who can keep up with him
Eklund-Celebrini-Toffoli
Zetterlund-Granlund-Smith
I would try that for once Toffoli is available, I hate to break up 72-71-20 but I think Toffoli compliments that line better than he does the Granny/Smith pairing
Don't go to McDonald's after the game thoughUHC? Hoping for some accurate shooting from the boys tonight.
Anything would be an upgrade over those godawful ECHL names. I'd take Seattle Yelling Fish Throwers or Mediocre Coffee Tycoons over the Kraken..
Trying to keep it safe so we’re stuck in Reno for this game, have to find somewhere to watch it, maybe throw some money on the Sharks tonight.
Not defending it, but apparently it refers to the statues on a famous bridge in CLE called the guardians.for example, but they couldn't come up with something better than Guardians? They could've just gone back to being the Cleveland Napoleons which is way cooler).
You can swap those LWs and either is a decent looking top 6 (for us). And you have goodie, Wennberg, Kunin. Leaving Grundstrom, Sturm, Delly. Looks good to me but it means Wennberg is kind of stuck as a pure shutdown C.It really should be a no Brainer
Eklund-Celebrini-Zetterlund
Kovalenko-Granlund-Smith
This coaching staff is wither godlike or total ass. No in between
When Granlund is traded, move Smith down as center for the third line.Eklund - Celebrini - Kovalenko
Smith - Granlund - Toffoli
Kunin - Wennberg - Zetterlund
Dellandrea - Sturm - Goodrow
When Granlund is traded Smith slides over to C (because he's gotta learn the ropes there or at least demonstrate whether he's going to be able to handle it moving forward) and Zetterlund should have the full shield off and he can bump up to the 2nd line, put Goodrow on the 3rd line, and then plug in Cardwell or whoever on the 4th line.
Going to miss this one though. For the first time in 7 years I can't make the Vancouver Giants' teddy bear toss game, so I am at least going to be watching the stream of it. And now I have a pair of plush dragons just sitting on a chair in the next room waiting for next year.
If you want ot strangle him by leaving him with Kunin, Goodrow, Kostin, Dellandera, etc.When Granlund is traded, move Smith down as center for the third line.
You raise some fair points, but is he ready for the responsibilities of facing 2nd line minutes?If you want ot strangle him by leaving him with Kunin, Goodrow, Kostin, Dellandera, etc.
Maybe you could do something decent with Kunin - Smith - Cardwell, but even that feels like you're sticking the shackles on him. Because how hard is it going to be to develop the confidence and feel for offence when you're running with a pair of stone-hands grinders who might get you 10 goals a year but probably mostly from greasy net-front scrambles or broken play rebounds or whatever.
If you want the kid to learn how to function offensively he needs someone who can pay off his setups or divert attention from him to create open ice. Babysitting a checking line and expecting him not to get smothered feels like it's asking a lot.