GDT: Preseason Game 4: Kraken @ Oilers - 6:00 PM PDT, KHN, Kong

[Fistfullofbeer]

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[Fistfullofbeer]

1st period thoughts.

Sale: This is the best I have ever seen him look (very limited viewings). Really hoping he can build confidence off this.

Melanson: He has looked good as well. His size, physicality and net front presence is something that will be good in a 4th line role. He also has some skill to boot.

Winterton: I think kid will be a solid middle-6 player for us. Not this season, but certainly down the road. That pass for the Sale goal was really good.

Gru: He has not looked good again. At this time, I guess he may be a buyout candidate next season if we want to re-sign Daccord.

Teams have matched up well so far. Rosters looks fairly even though I would definitely give them an edge on D. We don't have Dunn or Montour and they have Ekholm and Bouchard.

 

[RayMartyniukTotems]

Just got back to watch the 2nd period...Not too bad...way to go to the net Hayden

 

[Fistfullofbeer]

Hayden with goal #3 for us. He has looked decent this off-season. But that was all Tanev. Smart throwing the puck at the net. I get the feeling that Tanev is feeling the pressure from the younguns.

 

[RayMartyniukTotems]

Even after this season Gru has 2 years left at 5.9 M...that would be a tough pill to swallow if they buy him out...I'd be thinking there will teams out there looking for a Goaltender and in the right Atmosphere he'd do well...

 

[kihei]

Thought I would see my first pre-season game, but it turns out my outlet isn't carrying it. Glad to hear Sale got a goal.

 

[Fistfullofbeer]

Even after this season Gru has 2 years left at 5.9 M...that would be a tough pill to swallow if they buy him out...I'd be thinking there will teams out there looking for a Goaltender and in the right Atmosphere he'd do well...

No one is touching Grubauer's contract. And there is no way I am letting Daccord walk because we have no one in our organization who is ready for NHL minutes. Kokko may be in a year or two, but not next season.

Just to be clear, I think we can carry both . Daccord's new contract shouldn't be too crazy. Cap hit of around 6M maybe. We have multiple expensive players, who are not part of the core, off the books over the next 2 seasons. As long as the kids can start stepping in, and it looks very much that they will, we can make it work. Just won't have much cap flexibility, like this year.

 

[Fistfullofbeer]

Gross. Gru being Gru.

 

[sigma six]

Watching from Port Townsend, the team has looked a bit better in each game. The parts I've seen at least...more cohesive. Nice to see Sale get one, am a doubter of his but there's plenty of time to prove me wrong.

 

[Fistfullofbeer]

Watching from Port Townsend, the team has looked a bit better in each game. The parts I've seen at least...more cohesive. Nice to see Sale get one, am a doubter of his but there's plenty of time to prove me wrong.

I am a big doubter too. A game like this gives me hope but he has a long way to go. It definitely looks like he is going to CV this season and I feel like the coaching will help him a lot more than what he was getting in the WHL. Plus he gets to live close to one of his countrymen.

 

[Toomany7pins]

I wouldn’t be sad if Gru wasn’t here next year. Not enough “playoff Gru” and too much “Seymour Goals Gru”.

 

[Fistfullofbeer]

I wouldn’t be sad if Gru wasn’t here next year. Not enough “playoff Gru” and too much “Seymour Goals Gru”.

I don't think many of us will be sad if he is gone. Not many options, though. He has a 10 team NTC, has 2 more years at 5.9M AAV and has a sub 0.900SV% over the last 3 seasons. He will either require a massive sweetener or pulling of a 3-team trade for 2 x 50% retention. The other option ofcourse is the buyout.

 

[Fistfullofbeer]

Oof. That was too close.

 

[Fistfullofbeer]

That was really good play by Fleury on McDavid. And whatever they are doing to Sale, keep doing it.

Terrible SH goal to give up. Not that there are any good ones.

 

[Fistfullofbeer]

For whatever it is worth, we only have 2 of our top-6 F and none of our top-4 D in the game. Oilers definitely are icing a much better team.

Obviously, I didn't look at the teams well enough earlier because I said they were almost even.

 

[RayMartyniukTotems]

Gru has had his moments as a Kraken just not enough of them...I kind of feel for the guy but its Sports and it can be ruthless

 

[Fistfullofbeer]

Gru has had his moments as a Kraken just not enough of them...I kind of feel for the guy but its Sports and it can be ruthless

His only saving grace was the run the playoffs. You are right about the ruthlessness aspect. The ruthlessness in sport is not really in the sport, but in the business part of it.

 

[Fistfullofbeer]

Gru has actually been decent in the 3rd.

 

[Fistfullofbeer]

Well . I spoke too soon.

 

[RayMartyniukTotems]

You know when Gru is struggling...he goes down way too early instead of challenging the shooter or biting on the shot and being left out to dry on the easy tip in...ala Podkolzin

During the Preseason I personally rather watch the youngsters play and save the vets for the Regular season/Playoffs

 

[Fistfullofbeer]

A loss but a good showing from the team.

 

[RayMartyniukTotems]

All the games I've watched so far has me believing that there should be more NHL teams I hopeful Quebec city gets their team as well as Houston and Atlanta for the 3rd time and maybe Milwaukee or San Diego...then maybe they can add some other teams to make 40 NHL clubs with 32 play-offs spots...Cincinnati,KC, and Hamilton...

Sorry I kind of went off on the Tangent...Kraken have some terrific youngsters coming up through the ranks in no time...

 

[RayMartyniukTotems]

See you all in few days I guess..Good Night Kraken Famiglia