GDT: Game 5/82 Isles @ Blues 7PM CST BSMW

[Brian39]

Hope the Blues identity isn’t living and dying by the goalie standing on his head. I’ll give them benefit of the doubt since it’s early but it’s really not a winning strategy.

Have to tip your hat to Armstrong for rebuilding the entire left side D in one offseason. Not easy. Broberg is a STUD. Double offer sheet will go down as one of DA’s savviest moves.

I don't think that's a fair summary of last night's game. Hofer was excellent and the Isles did a slightly better job generating grade A chances than the Blues. But Sorokin also played very well and bailed out the Isles a number of times. It was a well deserved 1st star for Hofer and we don't win that game without him bringing his very best effort. But you need that type of effort from your goalie when you are playing against a top 5 goalie in the league who is also bringing his A game.

That wasn't a game where we should have lost 4-0. We only trailed the Isles by 1 in each of shot attempts, shots, and scoring chances at 5 on 5. Again, I'd give the edge to the Isles, but I thought we did a lot of things well last night beyond watching our goalie stand on his head.

 

[Snubbed4Vezina]

also helps that he's taller and has more range. this is another reason why i prefer PO over Perunovich on the 3rd pair. you have to be really good like Fox or Q. Hughes to make it as a vertically impaired defenseman, and that's simply not Perunovich or Krug, at this stage of his career.

I thought Joseph and Kessel played really well together. Even had a couple shifts where they both provided a little offensive spark.

I'm interested to see how these 6 perform against Carolina this weekend.

 

[horner]

How has Broberg been

 

[Linkens Mastery]

How has Broberg been

Love him so far. He's fitting in well with Faulk.

 

[Majorityof1]

How has Broberg been

Brace yourself if you are an Oilers fan. He been fantastic. Small sample size but we could literally not ask for better.

A point in every game, 5gp, 1G,4A, 5P. He's been on the ice for 0 goals against, which includes some limited PK time. He passes the eye test. He's made some great D plays and is one if our better D in transitioning the puck so far.

He's been worth what most thought was an overpay and then some (in a small sample size).

 

[Brian39]

Broberg has the offensive touch that Parayko doesn't have but also the defensive presence that Faulk doesn't have. He'll be our best overall defensemen by the end of the season, and hopefully the coaches will start realizing that and playing him 22+ minutes per game.

I'm thrilled with Broberg so far, but I'm not in any rush to increase his workload or the degree of difficulty in his deployment yet. I'd much, much, much rather see him continue thriving in his current role than try to make him the #1 or #2 D man ASAP.

Parayko's pair is still facing a drastically higher quality of competition than the Broberg/Faulk pair. Part of Broberg's success is because the team is actively putting him in a position to succeed. Long term, I want him to develop into a 3 zone all situations D man instead of a shut down guy. That is not the type of usage he'd be getting if we moved him to Parayko's pair and I don't think it is wise to throttle the Parayko pair's minutes/matchups.

Broberg played 12 NHL games last year and he's never hit the 50 NHL game mark. He averaged under 14 minutes a night in each of his 3 (partial) NHL seasons so far. His current usage is still a major learning curve. He has done great so far, but there is no need to rush him out of it and try to make him a #1 or #2 D man after 5 games as a 2nd pair guy.

Let's see if he can keep this up for a while. Eventually he'll get dinged up with something and we'll learn if he can keep this up at less than 100%. Playing 19+ minutes is a very large ask. he will grow plenty in that role and I think that is better for him that promoting him in the first 2 weeks of the season.