GDT: Game 35/82 Blues @ Cats 6PM CST FDSNMW

[Frenzy31]

I would line to see Holloway and Bolduc with Thomas. Move Buch down a line with Schenn and Kyrou. Kids have looked good and thought they played well together with SunmyD.

 

[Davimir Tarablad]

Regardless of who is better, I think Bolduc has played well enough to warrant getting a look on Thomas’s wing.


On another note, DoPS continues to be a clown show with no punishment being issued to Bennett.

 

[TheDizee]

When the Cats come to town, a message must be sent to Bennett. I am fine with a shitty team rebuilding slowly, but I will never support a soft team that allows people to be ran with no response.

 

[ChicagoBlues]

I don’t understand the notion that criticizing an aspect of a player’s game equates to whipping boy.

It’s hyperbolic and weird.

 

[ChicagoBlues]

So Jake is not concussed?

 

[Celtic Note]

I don’t understand the notion that criticizing an aspect of a player’s game equates to whipping boy.

It’s hyperbolic and weird.

It’s not whipping boy unless it’s the only thing that comes out of one’s mouth. If it’s also accompanied, at some point, with praise where deserved or acknowledgment that it’s just one facet of play being critiqued then it shouldn’t be considered such.

 

[ChicagoBlues]

It’s not whipping boy unless it’s the only thing that comes out of one’s mouth. If it’s also accompanied, at some point, with praise where deserved or acknowledgment that it’s just one facet of play being critiqued then it shouldn’t be considered such.

Agreed

 

[Eldon Reid]

So how the world is there nothing on the Neighbours play? Not even a fine. Ridiculous.

 

[sfvega]

Bolduc seems like an ideal 3rd wheel on a talented line. He is a great skater, makes good little plays to keep possession, is tough to deal with on the forecheck, and has good finishing ability.

Agreed wholeheartedly. I know people were eager to send him down early in the season, but I think this time has been a lot more valuable learning to be a pro and doing all the small things right like he has than stat padding in the AHL ever would be. I'd love to see him get a good look on Thomas' wing.

 

[Reality Czech]

Monty said he was coaching to win, so as such he should put the players that have been showing signs of life in a better position to succeed but he's not. Holoway and Bolduc deserve better than the linemates they are being given. You don't need advanced stats to see that those two are not 3rd line players and are actively being hamstrung by the couching staff.

Bolduc looks like a middle six player to me from what I've seen. Third line doesn't seem unreasonable for him. Holloway has been given top six minutes unless he's asked to play 3c. But sure, give them a shot if it will stop people from talking about it constantly.

I'd say the bigger issue is not having a capable 3c to allow Bolduc more scoring opportunities. I bet his advanced stats look better because his usage is skewed towards offensive situations. I also don't think coaches trust him enough defensively to put him on the first line. If Thomas is matched against the other team's top line, Bolduc probably couldn't keep up defensively.

How long till fans turn on Monty for not making the lines the way they want him to? People just never stop complaining around here.

 

[Reality Czech]

There are plenty of reasons a coach could chose to deploy a player the way he does. We don’t have to choose to be obtuse to those. It doesn’t have to mean he thinks one guy is necessarily better or worse than another.

That's true. As I put in my last post, I'd guess one big reason Bolduc isn't in the top six is because they get a lot more difficult defensive matchups than the bottom six does. Especially if he's on Thomas's line. Not sure Bolduc is ready for that kind of responsibility even if he's doing better offensively compared to the start of the season.

But clearly the coaching staff has considered the options and they must have a legitimate reason to have Bolduc as the 5th winger on the depth chart. Not sure why people wanna rush him onto the top line so much though.

Thomas was a much better prospect and he played his entire first season on the third line. It was a deeper team sure, but normally rookies have to earn their way into the top six. I don't actually remember when Thomas solidified himself in the top six but I bet it took a couple of seasons. How long until Kyrou solidified himself in the top six? People need to be more patient.

 

[Celtic Note]

That's true. As I put in my last post, I'd guess one big reason Bolduc isn't in the top six is because they get a lot more difficult defensive matchups than the bottom six does. Especially if he's on Thomas's line. Not sure Bolduc is ready for that kind of responsibility even if he's doing better offensively compared to the start of the season.

But clearly the coaching staff has considered the options and they must have a legitimate reason to have Bolduc as the 5th winger on the depth chart. Not sure why people wanna rush him onto the top line so much though.

Thomas was a much better prospect and he played his entire first season on the third line. It was a deeper team sure, but normally rookies have to earn their way into the top six. I don't actually remember when Thomas solidified himself in the top six but I bet it took a couple of seasons. How long until Kyrou solidified himself in the top six? People need to be more patient.

To clarify, I am not sure if he is better than Neighbours right now. It’s hard for me to say a guy who has scored like Neighbors isn’t better than Bolduc. But I am more impressed with his all around game than Neighbours in their rookie seasons.

This year I see a more complete game from Bolduc than Neighbours. Neighbours has more higher event hockey with his motor and hitting. These are certainly pluses. He looks more noticeable. But what am not sure that has translated in being a more effective player this year.

Neighbours has hurt us defensively this year and in years past by just not thinking the defensive side particularly well. It’s an area he has to improve. I would also like to see his creativity and distribution improve. I think he has it in him to improve and is eager. I would just hope to see more by now.

Bolduc on the other hand has been better than I thought in the defensive and neutral zones. The advanced and regular stats reaffirm what the eyes see. What’s impressive about Bolduc is that he has reinvented his physical, forecheck and defensive game since junior. I just hope it wasn’t at the expense of his offense, but we need to be patient with Bolduc. He was always more raw at those other facets. Plus, he is still young.

I would like to see him with better players than we have seen. If that means moving up to second or first line, I think it would be perfectly fine. He is the kind of guy who I could see looking better with higher end players.

Thomas was also on a Cup team his first year. There really wasn’t room for him to be much higher. I would wager if Thomas was playing a team like this one he would have seen more time in the top six.

 

[Bye Bye Blueston]

To clarify, I am not sure if he is better than Neighbours right now. It’s hard for me to say a guy who has scored like Neighbors isn’t better than Bolduc. But I am more impressed with his all around game than Neighbours in their rookie seasons.

This year I see a more complete game from Bolduc than Neighbours. Neighbours has more higher event hockey with his motor and hitting. These are certainly pluses. He looks more noticeable. But what am not sure that has translated in being a more effective player this year.

Neighbours has hurt us defensively this year and in years past by just not thinking the defensive side particularly well. It’s an area he has to improve. I would also like to see his creativity and distribution improve. I think he has it in him to improve and is eager. I would just hope to see more by now.

Bolduc on the other hand has been better than I thought in the defensive and neutral zones. The advanced and regular stats reaffirm what the eyes see. What’s impressive about Bolduc is that he has reinvented his physical, forecheck and defensive game since junior. I just hope it wasn’t at the expense of his offense, but we need to be patient with Bolduc. He was always more raw at those other facets. Plus, he is still young.

I would like to see him with better players than we have seen. If that means moving up to second or first line, I think it would be perfectly fine. He is the kind of guy who I could see looking better with higher end players.

Thomas was also on a Cup team his first year. There really wasn’t room for him to be much higher. I would wager if Thomas was playing a team like this one he would have seen more time in the top six.

and Thomas was 2 years younger in Cup year than Bolduc is now. Bolduc should absolutely get some top 6 ice time. He is far better all around player than I anticipated. I thought he was gonna be more like a Hoffman or Vrana; I wasn't sure he had it in him to be this conscientious. He has made himself into a guy who, as he gains experience, coaches will be able to trust. Kudos to him. The offense should come, especially as he gets opportunity with legit top 6 center.