GDT: Running Preseason GDT | Game 7 | PIT @ CBJ | 7 PM EST

[ThirdPeriodTurtle]

I quite like the idea of JvR-Fantilli-Johnson line. JvR looked good at times to me and especially with Johnson. I guess at this point most players will look good with Johnson if they have any semblance of a hockey IQ, though. Still, I hope JvR is a good pro for Fantilli and Johnson to get some guidance from, and is still quick enough in his hands to play with the creative young guys. Very interested to see how it goes.

 

[Doggy]

I think most of us recognize that the Boone-Money-Marchy line has one guy who likes to shoot the puck and two guys who like to get greasy goals in front of the net. There is nobody who can carry the puck through traffic at a high level and nobody to distribute it. The line makes zero sense and it has not looked effective when put together in a game.

I think even Evason recognizes the shortcoming but the truth is we have just one guy with any NHL experience who has the skillset to play on the left side of that top line and suspect Evason is nervous about feeding him too much too soon. I suspect within five games if KJ91 is playing decent hockey he gets the promotion to see if he can jumpstart that top line.

 

[CBJx614]

I quite like the idea of JvR-Fantilli-Johnson line. JvR looked good at times to me and especially with Johnson. I guess at this point most players will look good with Johnson if they have any semblance of a hockey IQ, though. Still, I hope JvR is a good pro for Fantilli and Johnson to get some guidance from, and is still quick enough in his hands to play with the creative young guys. Very interested to see how it goes.

This is a good point, id argue the development of Fantilli and KJ are the most important/critical to the success of the offense/franchise moving forward. We need to make sure they hit their potential at all costs. I don't think anyone else quite has the top end potential of those two, we desperately need to hit on their development.

 

[majormajor]

I think most of us recognize that the Boone-Money-Marchy line has one guy who likes to shoot the puck and two guys who like to get greasy goals in front of the net. There is nobody who can carry the puck through traffic at a high level and nobody to distribute it. The line makes zero sense and it has not looked effective when put together in a game.

I think even Evason recognizes the shortcoming but the truth is we have just one guy with any NHL experience who has the skillset to play on the left side of that top line and suspect Evason is nervous about feeding him too much too soon. I suspect within five games if KJ91 is playing decent hockey he gets the promotion to see if he can jumpstart that top line.

We have other ways of setting up a line that don't involve putting three plodding netfront finishers together.

We're somewhat restricted by the Monahan - Fantilli - Silinger center lineup, that in my opinion puts players at center who are not as good at it as other centers on the team, and also makes it harder to make good line combinations.

Two players other than KJ that would work on the topline wing are Fantilli and Chinakhov. Speed, transition ability, can beat a goalie clean from distance. All things that Jenner-Monahan-Marchenko lacks.

 

[MoeBartoli]

Sneaky plan by Sillinger to take the penalty so he could gain position on exit to score.

 

[ThirdPeriodTurtle]

1-0 Silly from Johnson, nice play by both - Silly to Kent who passes it right back and Silly has a wide open net. Nice goal.

 

[Cowumbus]

Johnson is going to score like 60 points this year isn’t he

 

[CBJx614]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1841981364112912440

Cold Burn

 

[MoeBartoli]

KJ just moving the puck so well on the PP

 

[ThirdPeriodTurtle]

Good pass by Johnson again on the PP, I was like "backhand pass NOW" on Monahan or whoever was in the middle, but Johnson gets it back and finds the guy waiting on the side with a great shooting opportunity.

It's still preseason... I don't want to get myself too hyped up on Johnson... but he do be looking good.

 

[CBJx614]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1841982690972574087

 

[ThirdPeriodTurtle]

Some fun hockey by both clubs here, plenty of movement and individual attempts and passing play. Elvis with some nice saves.

 

[thebus88]

Voronkov shoulder injury??

 

[majormajor]

Johnson is going to score like 60 points this year isn’t he

If everything keeps running through him (and he stays on #1 PP unit for 82 games) I'm taking the over.

He might also get worn out and weaker over the course of the year, not being physically mature yet.

 

[CBJx614]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1841991609526657106

 

[MoeBartoli]

Just a horrible shift by our top line.

 

[Cowumbus]

JVR just a step too slow in general.
I don’t mind him as a 3rd line and PP guy.

https://x.com/i/web/status/1841994207566954978

 

[squashmaple]

Am I being dramatic or have Jenner-Monahan-Marchenko looked awful tonight?

 

[MoeBartoli]

38-23-86 living in their own zone

 

[MFRONE]

Elvis is a rebound allowing machine tonight

JVR brings absolutely nothing to the team and should not be a lock for this roster at all

 

[ColumbusTrill]

Anyone see what happened to voronkov?

 

[MFRONE]

38-23-86 living in their own zone

It’s a terribly constructed line. 23 and 38 are 3rd liners who can provide spot 2nd line duty, both should not be playing together

 

[thebus88]

JVR just a step too slow in general.
I don’t mind him as a 3rd line and PP guy.

https://x.com/i/web/status/1841994207566954978

Agree completely about JVR.

Shoulder/arm issue with Voronkov.

Am I being dramatic or have Jenner-Monahan-Marchenko looked awful tonight?

Elvis is a rebound allowing machine tonight

JVR brings absolutely nothing to the team and should not be a lock for this roster at all

Both are not just tonight.

JVR should be ok playing 3rd/4th line minutes with PP time around the net. Shouldn’t play every night and needs to play with some quicker guys.

 

[MoeBartoli]

We’re giving the Penguins AHL team a pretty tough game.

 

[LJ7]

Sillinger looks niftier at times
Johnson looks poised to break out this season

Edit - then Sillinger blows a tire in his own zone lol