bert
Registered User
That's better than what we have but not very pretty.
If take Hoffman Pyatt over those two in a heart beat.
That's better than what we have but not very pretty.
If take Hoffman Pyatt over those two in a heart beat.
Hoffman should be in the top six though...
Top 6 is a bit of an antiquated idea imo.
Hoffman needs to be put in situations where he can maximize his impact, the biggest of which is on the PP, which he's getting.
With Smith finding such great chemistry with Stone, and Dzingel playing well, it allows us to create 3 lines and make us tough to match up against. Having 3 good lines imo is more dangerous than 1 great line, 1 good line and 1 bad line.
I wouldn't be opposed to swapping Dzingel and Hoffman, I just don't see it as a need by any stretch. I'd love to see a more offensively skilled version of Pyatt on that line though (Maybe White becomes that guy down the road?)
One thing I will say is that Hoffman buying into a role on the shutdown line, there could be some huge long term benefits. Hoffman is a great asset as a 1 dimensional ~25-30 goal, ~60 pts winger. If he can become a two-way ~25-30 goal, ~60 pts winger, look out.
Since GB has Hoffman playing with Pageau, that adds an offensive element to the line, I would also like to see them place Lazar at RW with those two to see if they can create some chemistry & Lazar brings an element of toughness. They have to find a way to get Lazar some pts here.
Hoffman - Pageau - Lazar
Pyatt - Kelly - Neil
Since GB has Hoffman playing with Pageau, that adds an offensive element to the line, I would also like to see them place Lazar at RW with those two to see if they can create some chemistry & Lazar brings an element of toughness. They have to find a way to get Lazar some pts here.
Hoffman - Pageau - Lazar
Pyatt - Kelly - Neil
Putting a bottom-5 in the NHL offensive player on the 3rd line to see if it will increase that line's offense does not seem like a great plan to me.
He was good centering Hoff and stone in his rookie year, and did well enough with pageau and condra that same year. Those two are among the only guys he's actually shown chemistry with in the past. Worth a shot, though I personally don't see why we're in a rush to replace Pratt on that line
I love Pageau, but he hasn't been his usual self to the point where I don't feel comfortable having him on the ice against any matchup....
Bobbling the puck, poor decisions, falling, him and Ryan have switched bodies maybe.......
It's weird. He's usually really good when he's given an assignment to shut down a player on the other team.
The problem we are seeing is that he is being asked to shutdown a guy who literally is his equivalent but in superstar mode. Bergeron and Marchand are incredibly difficult to shutdown and imo Pageau has actually been doing just alright this series which is pretty good considering he normally excels vs fast and skilled players and not big physical ones.
Ovechkin?
Not to sound like Aragorn, but it would be good to have at least one big centre though... I would trade any of our top 3 Cs to make that happen.
The problem we are seeing is that he is being asked to shutdown a guy who literally is his equivalent but in superstar mode. Bergeron and Marchand are incredibly difficult to shutdown and imo Pageau has actually been doing just alright this series which is pretty good considering he normally excels vs fast and skilled players and not big physical ones.
Not to sound like Aragorn, but it would be good to have at least one big centre though... I would trade any of our top 3 Cs to make that happen.
Not to sound like Aragorn, but it would be good to have at least one big centre though... I would trade any of our top 3 Cs to make that happen.