Pretty sure its for D reasons, the Crouse/Hayton/Kerfoot line will get the toughest assignments.
If Marino and Durzi come back to 100%, we would only have 3 out of the top 4 on defense.
Interesting take on Hayton and not saying you’re wrong by any means, but Bugs has centered line 1 for the last two games and while the team has been better off (more balance defensively) in that small sample size., Keller / Schmaltz have not been better off, imo.
Still rebuilding and learning. I believe Buffalo, Ottawa, and Detroit started their rebuild a year or two ahead of Utah and we are right there with them in pts. Montreal, Columbus and Utah started same time and we are ahead of them in pts. I know it's only pts., but the NHL is all about winning, and the way it looks we are right where we should be. We as fans always want more, as we should, but maybe we are getting that more without realizing it. Rebuilding is slow and painful. Let's see how this year unfolds.
Trying to get Schmaltz going. One pt. in the last six games doesn't cut it for a player considered to be one of your first line wingers. Keller only has three assists in that same span. NO goals from your #1 line in your last six games doesn't cut it.
What is AT suppose to do, wait? Schmaltz and Keller no goals in their last six games. Hayton one assist last six games, same as Schmaltz, and Keller three assists. Bugs has two goals and two assists in the last six. Not having that 1C is still haunting Utah.
I don't think it has anything to do with "D reasons," rather trying to get Schmaltz and Keller going. Utah's GF has dried up. We are 27th in GF's at the moment.
That feeds right into my point, they are less productive when separated, but the team as a whole is currently more balanced.
I think it has everything to do with D reasons. Keller/Schmaltz both had more points with Hayton.... as did Hayton. D first (always) Jakey my boy.... unless winning isn't the objective.
We are 22nd in GF and 23rd in GA. With a 3.29 GA, we aren't going anywhere. As the season moves along, it gets harder to score goals. Team D is our number one problem, has ben the last few years. We won't be averaging 4 goals a game any time soon in order to win consistently.
