stlweir
Registered User
- Sep 29, 2008
- 1,516
- 3
It wasn't that long ago the Blues were a sure loss when it came to shoot outs. Times have changed.
Stewart would have been the 3rd shooter, but wasn't needed, last night. I can even think of a couple more guys to add.Now, Berglund, Perron, Oshie and steen are significantly better than they were last season. Tarasenko has been added. McDonald is the same as before (good). Shattenkirk is better. Pietrangelo could even be used. They can go 8-9 deep with players that can score in a shootout.
On the goaltending side, Halak is okay. But Allen has looked much better (positioning, anticipation, reflexes). Of course, only one shootout isn't enough to see what will happen after opposing shooters can watch enough film to make a good book on him.
Stewart would have been the 3rd shooter, but wasn't needed, last night. I can even think of a couple more guys to add.
Yes. Stewart would have been included in my 8-9 deep statement.Yeah and we don't see it a lot but Stewy has got some hands on a breakaway/shootout
Yes. Stewart would have been included in my 8-9 deep statement.
Even D'Agostini and Schwartz, on the fringes of our Top 9, shouldn't be "bad" at shootouts. Both of them can stickhandle fairly well, have some moves, and have decent shots, and can very their releases. It's a matter of getting the practise/experience, and having access to the "book" on the goalie, and developing confidence in their moves and shot.
This year's shootout team is better at scoring, but still questionable in goal.
D'agostini is terrible at shootouts. tho. I'm pretty sure the last time he took a shot in a shootout he literally hit the goalie in the chest with a wrister from the point lmao. i bet sobotka wouldn't be bad with those quick hands of his.
Sobotka actually reminds me a bit of Jamal Mayers. Fast, tenacious, physical, but hands of stone. i'm fairly sure Sobotka would be only be ahead of Reaves and Nichol in a shootout.
I disagree, I've always thought Sobotka resembled a less skilled, but more physical version of Andy McDonald.
In the shootout, I think Sobotka could be a good depth shooter.
He has some skill with the puck, can make a couple moves (can deke) and has some shooting skill. His hands are a LOT softer than Mayers'. I'd put him just after D'Agostini, before Nichol and Reaves, but not ahead of Schwartz.
I just don't see it. Sobotka's never had more than 7 goals while in the NHL, Mayers at least hit double digits twice, albeit on some bad Blues teams with increased ice time. It's just that anytime I see the puck on Sobotka's stick in a position to shoot, he either fumbles it or shoots it right into the goalies' chest.
Either way, hopefully we don't have to see him in the shootout, I think we can both agree on that.
The difference is that Mayers had a good slapper and decent wrister, while Sobotka's shot is soft as hell and he takes forever to get it off. Sobotka has noticeably better overall hands and puck skills, but Mayers had more speed, so he could get to loose pucks around the net and beat a goalie clean with a shot.
The difference is that Mayers had a good slapper and decent wrister, while Sobotka's shot is soft as hell and he takes forever to get it off. Sobotka has noticeably better overall hands and puck skills, but Mayers had more speed, so he could get to loose pucks around the net and beat a goalie clean with a shot.