GDT: Game 35: Sharks vs. Avalanche 7:30pm NBCSCA

[TheBeard]

Smith needs to be on a line with a skilled C (Granlund or Wenberg) and an F1 who ideally has some skill (Zetterlundor Kovalenko).

Smith has looked great with Eklund but that line still needs more puck retrieval as Eklund is forced to be the F1 on that line which he can do but is not optimal for him.

I would have Smith take Eklund’s spot on the “Lund” line and move Eklund to Toffoli’s spot with Celebrini. Then Wenberg and Toffoli can play with whichever 4th liner they want to reward.

I think Toffoli is useless when he's not playing with a good to great passer. He tries to be that cerebral guy and that's just not him.

 

[OrrNumber4]

For a period at least they were exiting their d-zone fairly quickly and smartly better than I've seen for a while. Then turtle time came.

I don't know. I think Thrun needs to become the kind of defenseman who operates like a robot, quickly making pre-set plays. He lacks the skillset to create time and space, and given it, I've been unimpressed with his decision-making.

But he's big, mobile, and can move the puck. He could be better than prime Jan Ruuta (a solid #5-6 on a cup-winning team).

Smith had definitely improved nicely since start of the season. Everyone knows I advocated for starting him on line one in the ahl. The brain trust decided the NHL is the right place for his development. Watching his improvement, I think I might be wrong and they might be right. Shocking that the coach, GM, and player might know more than some fan

I can’t believe I’ve evolved into a smith apologist…. Man, being open minded sucks.

You're adding more to your credibility...

 

[gaucholoco3]

I think Toffoli is useless when he's not playing with a good to great passer. He tries to be that cerebral guy and that's just not him.

Wenberg shoots less than Jumbo and they had good chemistry earlier in the season.

I just think Toffoli plays too slow for Celebrini.

Just imagine how fast and creative a Kovalenko - Celebrini - Eklund line would be.

 

[TheBigDrunkPanda]

Wenberg shoots less than Jumbo and they had good chemistry earlier in the season.

I just think Toffoli plays too slow for Celebrini.

Just imagine how fast and creative a Kovalenko - Celebrini - Eklund line would be.

And how annoying that line would be to defend

 

[timorous me]

Smith needs to be on a line with a skilled C (Granlund or Wenberg) and an F1 who ideally has some skill (Zetterlundor Kovalenko).

Smith has looked great with Eklund but that line still needs more puck retrieval as Eklund is forced to be the F1 on that line which he can do but is not optimal for him.

I would have Smith take Eklund’s spot on the “Lund” line and move Eklund to Toffoli’s spot with Celebrini. Then Wenberg and Toffoli can play with whichever 4th liner they want to reward.

I really don't think Smith was bad last night except for the one unfortunate play late. But before that I saw him make a lot of good passes in the neutral and I zones, and he got in position for some really good shots which he unfortunately didn't finish but very well will more with more opportunities.

I guess I just don't see why a young player always needs to be punished for a bad play, as if they're too thick in the head to learn the lesson otherwise. Now he's put in a position yet again where he'll struggle because he won't be able to get those shots or make most of those passes while playing with lower skilled linemates.

 

[weastern bias]

For all the "playing Georgiev is tanking" consternation I think it's also worth suggesting that part of the development plan with Askarov is likely to protect him from playing behind the Sharks' horrid defense for too long of stretches before they're completely comfortable that he's ready for the NHL full time

Team Season Totals - Natural Stat Trick

We're 3rd last in the league in xGA/60, as much as this team is improved over last season we are still legitimately awful defensively and whoever is in net is guaranteed to be overexposed, it's reasonable to assume they don't want to throw the 22 year old heir-apparent into the fire while they are perfectly comfortable hanging out their veteran journeyman UFAs to dry

Starting Georgiev over Askarov isn't necessarily a tank move, more likely the focus is on protecting Askarov's development path, not on using Georgiev to tank the NHL team

 

[gaucholoco3]

I really don't think Smith was bad last night except for the one unfortunate play late. But before that I saw him make a lot of good passes in the neutral and I zones, and he got in position for some really good shots which he unfortunately didn't finish but very well will more with more opportunities.

I guess I just don't see why a young player always needs to be punished for a bad play, as if they're too thick in the head to learn the lesson otherwise. Now he's put in a position yet again where he'll struggle because he won't be able to get those shots or make most of those passes while playing with lower skilled linemates.

I completely agree. I thought Smith other than the bad turnover played well and thrived with the skill of Eklund. He had multiple grade A chances and could have easily had multiple goals and we are singing his praises after the game.

 

[Juxtaposer]

Georgiev has proven to blow as a hockey player and there is significant evidence that he also blows as a teammate. Who is arguing otherwise, seriously.