GDT: STORM WINGS

[Nikishin Go Boom]

At least he is taking the calls to shoot more seriously.

 

[Nikishin Go Boom]

Game 1 hot takes (not to be taken seriously, yet):

1. Put Dzingel on Trocheck’s line. He needs to be driving more offense.
2. If Gardiner plays well for another couple, put Skjei down on the third pair.
3. Install something on Necas’ skates to keep the guy up.

 

[MrazeksVengeance]

Game 1 hot takes (not to be taken seriously, yet):

1. Put Dzingel on Trocheck’s line. He needs to be driving more offense.
2. If Gardiner plays well for another couple, put Skjei down on the third pair.
3. Install something on Necas’ skates to keep the guy up.

@3 YEAH HE WAS EVERYWHERE, BUT RARELY IN ONE PIECE.

 

[MrazeksVengeance]

Panthers... I think they need an O line first... They have Paradis and...... (They must resign Moton) and I figure Samuel is gone.. Look if your QB drops to you you can take him but he needs an O line before you let him start...

RIP CAREER OF ANDREW LUCK.

 

[TheReelChuckFletcher]

Game 1 hot takes (not to be taken seriously, yet):

1. Put Dzingel on Trocheck’s line. He needs to be driving more offense.
2. If Gardiner plays well for another couple, put Skjei down on the third pair.
3. Install something on Necas’ skates to keep the guy up.

Skjei has a surprising physical element to his game that really looks good with Pesce. He just needs to cut down on the farts. Thankfully, they turned out to be nothing because it was against Detroit, but still, you can't complain too much overall about a defense that allowed only 14 shots on net. Really, though, Dzingel needed to be on the top-9 for months now. I know that Brindy shelters him at even-strength, however, he has a good shot and can give complementary scoring on just about any line.

 

[Brock Anton]

Game 1 hot takes (not to be taken seriously, yet):

1. Put Dzingel on Trocheck’s line. He needs to be driving more offense.
2. If Gardiner plays well for another couple, put Skjei down on the third pair.
3. Install something on Necas’ skates to keep the guy up.

Also, Detroit is completely f***ing awful.

 

[MrazeksVengeance]

Also, Detroit is completely f***ing awful.

NOT A HOT TAKE.

 

[AD Skinner]

Gritty + Enema of the State = amazing

 

[Nikishin Go Boom]

We roll Mrazek again against his former squad? He looked about as good as a goalie can with only 14 shots. Detroit was challenging the glove and Mrazek’s size by trying to go top shelf. Do we allow them to hone that in or run Reimer out?

So we keep the same offensive strategy or do we try to get more bodies to the net knowing Detroit is going to play a more compacted style?

 

[spockBokk]

Game 1 hot takes (not to be taken seriously, yet):

1. Put Dzingel on Trocheck’s line. He needs to be driving more offense.
2. If Gardiner plays well for another couple, put Skjei down on the third pair.
3. Install something on Necas’ skates to keep the guy up.

I was a big fan of Gardiner in his 13-14 mins. I counted at least one oopsie turnover that immediately lead to a DET scoring chance, but other than that, he looked much more mobile and assertive - he skated the puck in the zone a few times and looked to create chances. Also, seems to me like the 2nd PP unit, with Gardiner as the QB, should be the 1st, or at least the 1st unit should take some notes on how the Gardiner group simplifies things instead of always looking for the perfect pass.

I wouldn’t break up Skjei-Pesce yet, as I also liked what I saw from them. Skjei, like Gardiner, also led a few rushes into the o-zone, and he also had a few quality chances from the slot. His physical game is exactly what the Canes need, so if he keeps that up, that pairing could become top pair 1b.

And to the point on Dzingel...get that man up in the lineup. If RBA is going back to insist on Staal with Svechnikov and Necas, then Dzingel-Trocheck-Fast seems like it’d be a good 3rd line.

Finally, hopefully it’s just due to the long layoff, but Foegele looked all out of sorts for me last night.

 

[Stickpucker]

Panthers... I think they need an O line first... They have Paradis and...... (They must resign Moton) and I figure Samuel is gone.. Look if your QB drops to you you can take him but he needs an O line before you let him start...

I'm no pro on NFL related things but I keep hearing from people that know more than I that Oline men aren't drafted in the top 20 usually b/c they're all projects and hard to predict how good they'll be.

It sounds like if we wanted Oline either a trade down or looking for one in the 2nd and 3rd round aren't bad ideas.

It's really odd we signed Bridgewater to that contract with the crop of FA QBs this year.

 

[RibFrabcus]

I was a big fan of Gardiner in his 13-14 mins. I counted at least one oopsie turnover that immediately lead to a DET scoring chance, but other than that, he looked much more mobile and assertive - he skated the puck in the zone a few times and looked to create chances. Also, seems to me like the 2nd PP unit, with Gardiner as the QB, should be the 1st, or at least the 1st unit should take some notes on how the Gardiner group simplifies things instead of always looking for the perfect pass.

I wouldn’t break up Skjei-Pesce yet, as I also liked what I saw from them. Skjei, like Gardiner, also led a few rushes into the o-zone, and he also had a few quality chances from the slot. His physical game is exactly what the Canes need, so if he keeps that up, that pairing could become top pair 1b.

And to the point on Dzingel...get that man up in the lineup. If RBA is going back to insist on Staal with Svechnikov and Necas, then Dzingel-Trocheck-Fast seems like it’d be a good 3rd line.

Fonally, hopefully it’s just due to the long layoff, but Foegele looked all out of sorts for me last night.

I liked Gardiner tonight. One really obvious oopsie but I thought he looked better than Skjei on the whole.

 

[Chrispy]

I was a big fan of Gardiner in his 13-14 mins. I counted at least one oopsie turnover that immediately lead to a DET scoring chance, but other than that, he looked much more mobile and assertive - he skated the puck in the zone a few times and looked to create chances. Also, seems to me like the 2nd PP unit, with Gardiner as the QB, should be the 1st, or at least the 1st unit should take some notes on how the Gardiner group simplifies things instead of always looking for the perfect pass.

I wouldn’t break up Skjei-Pesce yet, as I also liked what I saw from them. Skjei, like Gardiner, also led a few rushes into the o-zone, and he also had a few quality chances from the slot. His physical game is exactly what the Canes need, so if he keeps that up, that pairing could become top pair 1b.

And to the point on Dzingel...get that man up in the lineup. If RBA is going back to insist on Staal with Svechnikov and Necas, then Dzingel-Trocheck-Fast seems like it’d be a good 3rd line.

Fonally, hopefully it’s just due to the long layoff, but Foegele looked all out of sorts for me last night.

Agreed. Trocheck needs someone he can work with offensively on that line, otherwise it's just Meh. Foegele can crash and luck into some goals, but he's not setting up Trocheck and he's not sniping anything.

And I like the idea of Foegele-Martinook-McGinn as the 4th line. Certainly not cheap, but they will do their job well.

 

[Crazydounut]

Svechnikov should be with Tro and Fast. Play Dzingel with Necas n Staal move Foegele to the 4th.

We played a good defensive game but a bit sloppy on offense

 

[Nikishin Go Boom]

How about?
NAT
Svech-Trocheck-Fast
Dzingel-Staal-Necas
Foegs-Marty/Geekie-McGinn

I have always thought Dzingel and Necas have a good chemistry and both anticipate the other. They were on the ice together some in the 3rd and they had 1 really good chance that Necas didnt get (unfortunately) and a few other good plays. Is it just my wild eyes seeing that? If Necas is going to be with Staal, we need a 2nd scoring threat on the line.

To be clear, its one game I am not advocating for any changes at this point. I have worked up in my head that Necasnichov would be something special so, they looked disappointing together.

edit: are you in my head @Crazydounut ?

 

[MrazeksVengeance]

I have worked up in my head that Necasnichov would be something special so, they looked disappointing together.

YEAH, SVECH FELT REALLY OFF.

THAT BEING SAID, FOEGELE WAS ABSOLUTELY MEH. NO FLYING. AND WHEN FOEGELE AIN'T SKATING HIS ASS OFF HE ISN'T HELPING MUCH,

 

[MinJaBen]

Skjei has a surprising physical element to his game that really looks good with Pesce. He just needs to cut down on the farts.

I wouldn’t break up Skjei-Pesce yet, as I also liked what I saw from them. Skjei, like Gardiner, also led a few rushes into the o-zone, and he also had a few quality chances from the slot. His physical game is exactly what the Canes need, so if he keeps that up, that pairing could become top pair 1b.

I was disappointed in what I saw from Skjei last night after all the training camp talk pumping his tires. Yes, he can hit and I appreciate that. But his hands and his head in the D-zone are a big problem for the way this team is built to play. Our defense is designed to get possession, and then quickly transition out of the zone to the forwards. This team is not built well to defend extended D-zone time against the cycle. But Skjei appears to be a bit slower on his reads to find the open forward and he also fumbles the puck too much, both of which cost him time...maybe a second compared to Slavin and Pesce who are excellent at both the reads and the control of the puck in tight situations. That one second is the difference between a pass to his partner or a forward, or an opposing forechecker disrupting the play and keeping the puck in the zone longer. Compare him to two other recent additions which people pick apart: Gardiner and Hamilton I think are both a bit slow on the reads, but they keep the puck under control and this allows them to make a good pass once they figure that out. The control buys them the extra little bit of time that Skjei loses.

 

[Discipline Daddy]

1. Watched the Detroit feed. The announcers were low key depressed the entire game. On several occasions they mentioned that things would get better, and then corrected it a bit to say "we hope they will" or "maybe later this year or next year"
   
2. Detroit's penalty kill was the worst I've seen in years. Everyone and their Mom knows you have to pressure the puck-carrier. This is especially true with the Canes. This isn't talent, this is coaching. Boston always gives us fits on the PK and gets several shorthanded chances. Does Detroit scout us?
3. As much as I will enjoy taking 6 wins in 8 games against Detroit, we all know this will be on the backs of us tripling them in shots and winning by a goal. ****ing Thomas Greiss again. Just when you thought you escape, you're pulled back in.
4. I didn't notice Jesper Fast a single time tonight. My wife said "maybe he wasn't fast enough" and then I said "maybe he was too fast to be seen".
5. Gardiner looked good. Most of the defense played well.
6. Mrazek was great. It's hard to play a game like that where you have to be on your game for 2 minutes and then you can literally be asleep the other 58. Mrazek was dialed in all night. That's a really good sign. I'd still put Reimer in on Saturday to give him some action, especially since we have the luxury of playing the Wings twice to start the year.
7. Dzingel McCringleberry. Every time I saw him he made a nice play in the D-zone to strip the puck or storm out the gate with speed. He blew past a Red Wing, looked poised to make a nice pass or shot, then immediately lost the puck on the boards. He did this at least 3 times. I'm glad he scored. He didn't look bad, but he looked like he was trying too much. He's just not a good fit on a 4th line.
8. I never thought I would see Sam Gagner fight Dougie Hamilton. What was Gagner thinking? Dougie looked like the gentle giant Chara when LaRose got in his kitchen. Like, "I could end this but I am biding my time, minion."
9. Lastly, I feel for Detroit fans. This is where we were in hell from 2007 - on, but honestly I think their roster is worse than the usual we put up. And I personally don't see much help in the wings, at least for a while. Seider can be a good player, but apples to apples I like our prospects better.

 

[Incubajerks]

I am the only one who liked Skjei? to me seems already a different player.

 

[MrazeksVengeance]

I am the only one who liked Skjei? to me seems already a different player.

HE HAD THE MOMENT WHEN HE KIND OF WRECKED HIMSELF, BUT HE WAS PRETTY SOLID OTHERWISE. AND I LIKED THAT HE WAS MEAN.

 

[The S5]

I thought the team skated and forechecked well. Definitely a bit sloppy/rusty, but Detroit played as well as they are capable of playing.
Skjei will have moments of brilliance, followed by a boneheaded mistake. It's who he is, get used to it.
Fast isn't a flashy player and won't light it up in the offensive end, but, he is a coaches dream. He is responsible in all zones and gives you 100%. He's a guy you grow to appreciate.
Game could have easily been 5-0 without playing near their best. Good stuff.

 

[TheReelChuckFletcher]

1. Watched the Detroit feed. The announcers were low key depressed the entire game. On several occasions they mentioned that things would get better, and then corrected it a bit to say "we hope they will" or "maybe later this year or next year"
   
2. Detroit's penalty kill was the worst I've seen in years. Everyone and their Mom knows you have to pressure the puck-carrier. This is especially true with the Canes. This isn't talent, this is coaching. Boston always gives us fits on the PK and gets several shorthanded chances. Does Detroit scout us?
3. As much as I will enjoy taking 6 wins in 8 games against Detroit, we all know this will be on the backs of us tripling them in shots and winning by a goal. ****ing Thomas Greiss again. Just when you thought you escape, you're pulled back in.
4. I didn't notice Jesper Fast a single time tonight. My wife said "maybe he wasn't fast enough" and then I said "maybe he was too fast to be seen".
5. Gardiner looked good. Most of the defense played well.
6. Mrazek was great. It's hard to play a game like that where you have to be on your game for 2 minutes and then you can literally be asleep the other 58. Mrazek was dialed in all night. That's a really good sign. I'd still put Reimer in on Saturday to give him some action, especially since we have the luxury of playing the Wings twice to start the year.
7. Dzingel McCringleberry. Every time I saw him he made a nice play in the D-zone to strip the puck or storm out the gate with speed. He blew past a Red Wing, looked poised to make a nice pass or shot, then immediately lost the puck on the boards. He did this at least 3 times. I'm glad he scored. He didn't look bad, but he looked like he was trying too much. He's just not a good fit on a 4th line.
8. I never thought I would see Sam Gagner fight Dougie Hamilton. What was Gagner thinking? Dougie looked like the gentle giant Chara when LaRose got in his kitchen. Like, "I could end this but I am biding my time, minion."
9. Lastly, I feel for Detroit fans. This is where we were in hell from 2007 - on, but honestly I think their roster is worse than the usual we put up. And I personally don't see much help in the wings, at least for a while. Seider can be a good player, but apples to apples I like our prospects better.

I said this before, but Detroit, by virtue of replacing Howard with Greiss, might be twice as good as last year. The man will steal his share of games.

 

[TheReelChuckFletcher]

Just to show you how utterly dominant we were tonight: guys with 60-65% Corsi were in negative CorRel territory. That's hilarious.

View media item 8322

 

[Svechhammer]

I thought Skjei and Gardiner had good games. They both bring a bit of offense, but I like the physical edge that Skjei plays with more on the 2nd line than I would having that on the 3rd. And I don't much worry about the occasional brain fart because with either Fleury, but especially Pesce, as the other half of the pair, we have someone available to cover those mistakes.

Necas really needs to be stronger on his skates. He flops way, way too much, and at least one time last night, it cost us a breakaway chance with one of our better scorers.

If Nino is having a good season again, it really does give us a lot of options on how we can roll lines 2-4 going forward. A good problem for us to have, which will be difficult for our opponents to plan for every night.

 

[Joe McGrath]

Trochek was the only player on the team to be over 50% Dzone starts. Looking at advanced stats from one game is so wild.