GDT: Preseason Game #1 Blues vs Stars

[CurrentCS]

I liked McIssac way more than I did Burns. I'm looking forward to watching him this year in the WHL.

 

[Linkens Mastery]

Buch, Neighbours, and Bolduc looked fine. Nothing amazing stood out, Bolduc had an amazing look on a pass from behind the net.

M. Joseph and PO Joseph looked like NHLers, M. Joseph more-so, he looked like an adequate 3rd liner. Which was to be expected. PO Joseph looks to be a fine 7th D or 6th D if injuries happen.

Kapanen continues his play of completely invisible 97% of the time and randomly drops a goal.

Alexandrov.... oof. Talk about someone who looks like he just does not care.

Dean was kinda invisible but nothing he did screamed "WTF are you doing"

Tucker.... he is just not NHL Caliber.

Burns is fine, when he's not taking stupid penalties.

Other young Defenseman did expected young Defenseman things.

Binner and Ellis looked Great.

 

[Bye Bye Blueston]

Buch, Neighbours, and Bolduc looked fine. Nothing amazing stood out, Bolduc had an amazing look on a pass from behind the net.

M. Joseph and PO Joseph looked like NHLers, M. Joseph more-so, he looked like an adequate 3rd liner. Which was to be expected. PO Joseph looks to be a fine 7th D or 6th D if injuries happen.

Kapanen continues his play of completely invisible 97% of the time and randomly drops a goal.

Alexandrov.... oof. Talk about someone who looks like he just does not care.

Dean was kinda invisible but nothing he did screamed "WTF are you doing"

Tucker.... he is just not NHL Caliber.

Burns is fine, when he's not taking stupid penalties.

Other young Defenseman did expected young Defenseman things.

Binner and Ellis looked Great.

Generally agree, but I liked Dean. He makes smart little plays. He made nice play to set up the goal. He isn't gonna be a star, not flashy, but he is on track to be solid bottom 6 player.

 

[Linkens Mastery]

Oh, and another thing. Victory+ is real nice. Hopefully the Blues and Cards can team up for something similar after this season.

 

[Eldon Reid]

Oh, and another thing. Victory+ is real nice. Hopefully the Blues and Cards can team up for something similar after this season.

I agree or I hope Blues & Cards team up on tv deal with local channel or stream. That's what I really want to see.

 

[Linkens Mastery]

I agree or I hope Blues & Cards team up on tv deal with local channel or stream. That's what I really want to see.

Agreed. I also wouldn't be surprised if Blues end up teaming up with Victory+ after the upcoming season either. Victory+ also Does Ducks games as well, so it's not outside the realm of possibility they try to branch out more.

 

[sfvega]

I think most of us were happy to move on from Kapanen especially when the offseason has brought much needed bottom 6 depth. We just don't need him. It's not a terrible move to bring him back for cheap, but it's just so unnecessary.

Dean I think hasn't developed as we hoped when we acquired him, but is still taking steps forward so I'm fine with where he's at. And where he's at is not an NHL player yet. Bolduc is. Dvorsky could be, but why rush it? These 3 seem so easy but there's still a few ppl overly excited for Dvo or trying to stunt Bolduc's growth. I don't get it.

Not to write him off, but I was never high on Burns. Brzustewicz seemed like a lay-up there, but we took more of a type of defenseman. Talent level is the most important thing. Burns strikes me as more of a 7/8 D type, kinda like Bortz was at the end. Just a limited player. Hopefully he can prove me wrong, but LD is pretty deep all of a sudden.

Important not to rush to judgments here for a pretty meaningless preseason game in the bigger picture, so I went with things that I feel were reinforced here.

 

[BlueDream]

2. Mathieu Joseph has a lot of energy, but he seems more like a 4th liner. Texier should be given a strong look for a 3rd line role instead.

Maybe Joseph does end up on the 4th line due to our depth, but he’s already proven to be a 3rd liner in the NHL and I’ve watched him on Tampa and Ottawa. I really don’t understand making conclusions like this based off of one preseason game.

 

[BlueMed]

Maybe Joseph does end up on the 4th line due to our depth, but he’s already proven to be a 3rd liner in the NHL and I’ve watched him on Tampa and Ottawa. I really don’t understand making conclusions like this based off of one preseason game.

I've watched Joseph play before. This game further cemented my opinion of him: a speedy, hardworking forward who can be an asset on the forecheck and penalty kill but probably not a player that will bring a consistent enough offense to really support the current core. That literally fits the profile of a fourth line player. Given this team's lack of elite starpower, it needs stronger offensive depth throughout the top 9, and I'd be annoyed if Army sent Bolduc down to the AHL this season and played Joseph on the 3rd line instead.

 

[Bye Bye Blueston]

I've watched Joseph play before. This game further cemented my opinion of him: a speedy, hardworking forward who can be an asset on the forecheck and penalty kill but probably not a player that will bring a consistent enough offense to really support the current core. That literally fits the profile of a fourth line player. Given this team's lack of elite starpower, it needs stronger offensive depth throughout the top 9, and I'd be annoyed if Army sent Bolduc down to the AHL this season and played Joseph on the 3rd line instead.

Bolduc isn't competing with Joseph though. If Bolduc goes down it's because they think he needs more time/consistency/whatever and they think Springfield will be better for his development. I suspect he will spend far more time in St. Louis than Springfield this year.

 

[BlueMed]

Bolduc isn't competing with Joseph though. If Bolduc goes down it's because they think he needs more time/consistency/whatever and they think Springfield will be better for his development. I suspect he will spend far more time in St. Louis than Springfield this year.

There's reason to think it could happen though. Army said himself that he wants Bolduc competing for a top 6 role and not a top 9 role. He also mentioned that he wanted to play Faksa with faster wingers, and the practice lines have him with Holloway and Joseph, so it might actually happen.

 

[MortiestOfMortys]

There's reason to think it could happen though. Army said himself that he wants Bolduc competing for a top 6 role and not a top 9 role. He also mentioned that he wanted to play Faksa with faster wingers, and the practice lines have him with Holloway and Joseph, so it might actually happen.

Bannister sets the lineup, not Army

 

[Bye Bye Blueston]

There's reason to think it could happen though. Army said himself that he wants Bolduc competing for a top 6 role and not a top 9 role. He also mentioned that he wanted to play Faksa with faster wingers, and the practice lines have him with Holloway and Joseph, so it might actually happen.

I'm not disputing that Joseph could play on the 3rd line, just that he's not competing directly with Bolduc for the spot. If Bolduc goes down Joseph may be a beneficiary, but they won't send Bolduc down because of anything Joseph does or doesn't do.

 

[BlueMed]

I'm not disputing that Joseph could play on the 3rd line, just that he's not competing directly with Bolduc for the spot. If Bolduc goes down Joseph may be a beneficiary, but they won't send Bolduc down because of anything Joseph does or doesn't do.

I never said they were competing for the same spot. In fact, I cited Army stating that Bolduc is competing for a top 6 role. Nonetheless, I'd still be annoyed if Bolduc gets sent down and Joseph winds up being that beneficiary.

 

[HighNote]

I liked Johannessen.

 

[Reality Czech]

Few thoughts from the game...

1. Bolduc looks ready for the NHL. I'd be happier if he played on the 3rd line this season than to be sent down to the AHL. Given the lack of starpower on this roster, this team needs as much talent as it can get in the top 9, and he can contribute on the second power play unit. Another year in the AHL would provide him diminishing returns at this point.

2. Mathieu Joseph has a lot of energy, but he seems more like a 4th liner. Texier should be given a strong look for a 3rd line role instead.

3. Dean looks more comfortable playing against men than last year. I can see him playing 1 more season in the AHL.

4. Tyler Tucker is still my least favorite player in this organization. He took another completely unnecessary penalty tonight. I'm hoping he's played his last regular season game in a Blues uniform.

With regard to Bolduc, wasn't the competition in this game a lot closer to AHL than NHL level? I doubt he plays the majority of the year in the AHL but I could see him starting there for a brief period.

I appreciate all the analysis from you and others but I would caution about jumping the gun based on one preseason game.

 

[execwrite1]

Didn't see the game but it sounds like Colten Ellis is knocking on the NHL door.

One solid AHL season more and he could be ready to step up to St. Louis.

 

[PerryTurnbullfan]

I thought overall the Blues didn't look bad considering the team that Dallas dressed.

1. Ellis-He looks like an NHL goalie
2. Buchnevich-not a center - the Blues were terrible on the dot all night. Better winger.
3. Johannesson-I thought he looked good on the power play and comfortable with the puck. Not bad for a first NHL style preseason game on defense. He made some solid plays and also solid outlet passes. I would like to see more. Needs to start in the AHL, but could see him in a Blues uniform as he looks like he could be a better option than Perunovich.
4. Joseph looked solid as a 4th line winger that can kill penalties. Good skater
5. Burns looked good made some good passes, but has to stay out of the box and not be a young Jackman thinking he has to fight everybody. If you go back and look at the tape, then you will see he made some very smart reads and got the Blues out of trouble.
6. Mayich and McIsaac both continue to impress me
7. Tucker just watched 3 kids make him expendable.
8. Dean may need to move to the wing to be a top 9. He and Joseph were very good killing penalties. He has to win faceoffs to stay there.
9. Sylvegard-He did some good things. He could've used some support. I don't think his wingers sync'd well at all. They had no offensive creativity and he seemed to be waiting for them to do something anything to get them the puck.
10. Bolduc-He needed to bury the chances he got in the position he was given. First game, but he looked promising.
11. When you dress Kap, Mac, Torp, etc. I don't know what you are expecting to get. Not offense.

Good showing overall.

Dallas had some very talented youngsters in the lineup. Liam is a monster. I see a definite top 4 guy. Bourque and Stankhoven looked really good as well. Dallas dressed a much better lineup.

 

[Celtic Note]

I liked Johannessen.

Seems like a good breakout passer. I only caught the third period though. So extremely limited viewing.

With regard to Bolduc, wasn't the competition in this game a lot closer to AHL than NHL level? I doubt he plays the majority of the year in the AHL but I could see him starting there for a brief period.

I appreciate all the analysis from you and others but I would caution about jumping the gun based on one preseason game.

Dallas iced more of an NHL roster while we iced more of an AHL one.

 

[Reality Czech]

Seems like a good breakout passer. I only caught the third period though. So extremely limited viewing.


Dallas iced more of an NHL roster while we iced more of an AHL one.

Perhaps but it's not like NHL veterans are playing at full speed in these games. The fringe guys are trying harder while the established guys treat it more like a tune up. I wouldn't make any assumptions based on the first preseason game, but it's definitely cool to get a look at some of these guys.

 

[Eldon Reid]

Also I think most of us who watched the game on Victory can say this.

It is hundred times better than Ballys app already.

 

[DatDude44]

Po Joseph is horrible. I already prefer Mcisaac and Mayich lol. Obvi they’re years away.

Johanesson is silky, might give perunovich a run for his money.

 

[Snubbed4Vezina]

I thought overall the Blues didn't look bad considering the team that Dallas dressed.

1. Ellis-He looks like an NHL goalie
2. Buchnevich-not a center - the Blues were terrible on the dot all night. Better winger.
3. Johannesson-I thought he looked good on the power play and comfortable with the puck. Not bad for a first NHL style preseason game on defense. He made some solid plays and also solid outlet passes. I would like to see more. Needs to start in the AHL, but could see him in a Blues uniform as he looks like he could be a better option than Perunovich.
4. Joseph looked solid as a 4th line winger that can kill penalties. Good skater
5. Burns looked good made some good passes, but has to stay out of the box and not be a young Jackman thinking he has to fight everybody. If you go back and look at the tape, then you will see he made some very smart reads and got the Blues out of trouble.
6. Mayich and McIsaac both continue to impress me
7. Tucker just watched 3 kids make him expendable.
8. Dean may need to move to the wing to be a top 9. He and Joseph were very good killing penalties. He has to win faceoffs to stay there.
9. Sylvegard-He did some good things. He could've used some support. I don't think his wingers sync'd well at all. They had no offensive creativity and he seemed to be waiting for them to do something anything to get them the puck.
10. Bolduc-He needed to bury the chances he got in the position he was given. First game, but he looked promising.
11. When you dress Kap, Mac, Torp, etc. I don't know what you are expecting to get. Not offense.

Good showing overall.

Dallas had some very talented youngsters in the lineup. Liam is a monster. I see a definite top 4 guy. Bourque and Stankhoven looked really good as well. Dallas dressed a much better lineup.

Ellis has potential but definitely needs some more work. Both of our goalies were under siege down low most of the night because our D kept collapsing around them Ellis did a good job limiting the damage. I'm really glad they pulled Binnington after the first because I was getting very uncomfortable with how much they were allowing the Stars to collapse down low. I about lost my mind when Tucker nearly dumped a Stars player on top of Binnington's knee. Gave me Grant Fuhr 1996 flashbacks. You have to have the awareness not to dump a player onto your goalie, and especially when he's in a vulnerable position like he was. Totally unnecessary.

There was nothing Ellis could've done on goal #1. Goal #2 needs to be stopped. He got lazy sitting back too far in his stance and didn't seal properly. He was a little too active at times and there were multiple instances when he overslid and completely lost his net in the second but Dallas was unable to convert. He'll have to clean that up and did over the course of the next two periods so it makes me think it was nerves early on.

He made some excellent reads on some tough plays in close though. He made a fantastic save on Stankoven after Joseph and McIsaac let him walk right through them for a partial breakaway. It's not easy to get that low and maintain enough of an edge to push off to the blocker side like he did. I thought he was dead in the water. Also made a perfect read to stop a one-timer on the late power play after Dean did a poor job covering for the D man and left his man wide open in the slot. Overall Ellis did a great job limiting damage in what was a pretty poor defensive effort overall.

 

[Linkens Mastery]

Po Joseph is horrible. I already prefer Mcisaac and Mayich lol. Obvi they’re years away.

Johanesson is silky, might give perunovich a run for his money.

I'm not seeing where POJ was horrible. He had one bad penalty which was just a DOG. I want to see him paired with an actual NHL level defensemen.

 

[Snubbed4Vezina]

Po Joseph is horrible. I already prefer Mcisaac and Mayich lol. Obvi they’re years away.

Johanesson is silky, might give perunovich a run for his money.

I don't think he was horrible. I think he looked good in the first but as the game wore on you could see that he was gassed. With it being the first preseason game and with him playing more minutes than he should, I wasn't surprised to see it. Puts your D mates into a bad position when the defense keeps taking penalties (looking at Burns and Tucker).

I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt that he's closer to the player we saw in the first period rather than later in the game.