TheOrganist
Don't Call Him Alex
- Feb 21, 2006
- 4,397
- 2,056
Right. I’m not getting the clamoring to rush his development. He’s exactly where he should be.
Thunderbirds 2024-25
- Thread starter execwrite1
- Start date
Vladys Gumption
Colt55
Not only that, I have no desire to rush him to the NHL only to play him on our dumpster fire of an offense.
I’m fine with a late season call up as a reward, but let him play massive minutes in Springfield.
Honestly, that’s what he needs. He needs lots of reps and lots of ice time especially with the two players he’s skating with now. He can learn a lot of that stuff from Peca. He may just be an AHL center, but he just does everything right. Good player to learn from at this point in his journey. I would love for Steen to work with him some too. Don’t get me wrong. He is going to be a vital piece for years, but he has an apprenticeship to learn.
bleedblue1223
Registered User
- Jan 21, 2011
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Dvorsky added an assist today. Probably past the point of stat watching, clearly producing isn't going to be a problem for him. Now it's the things you don't see on a scoresheet of getting his complete game NHL ready.
The last thing you want for Dvorsky is another Oskarshamn IK incident. If you remember, he was given a spot to start the season, but as the team struggled he lost more and more ice time to older guys. This happened because the team was bad, and they had to fight to stave off relegation. They just didn't trust an 18-year-old to do that.
I'm not saying Monty's Blues are in that exact situation -- obviously we aren't at risk of relegation. But it's clear that Army and Stillman think we can make the playoffs this year. If they were committed to a down year, then yeah Dvorsky getting some games makes sense. But as it is, I don't want him riding pine because of a silly turnover or a young-guy mistake. You want him back out there the very next shift after those. He can do that in Springfield, but I don't think Monty would have much choice but to let him sit in favor of veterans who are less likely to make those mistakes.
It would also be different if we had a guy like Ryan O'Rielly still around that we wanted Dvorsky to learn from. I'm as big of a Robert Thomas fan as there is, but he (and Schenn, frankly) just don't have the same "I'm going to positively influence the young guys" vibe that ROR had for awhile here. Rob Tom isn't going anywhere. Let them hash it out over the summer.
I'm not saying Monty's Blues are in that exact situation -- obviously we aren't at risk of relegation. But it's clear that Army and Stillman think we can make the playoffs this year. If they were committed to a down year, then yeah Dvorsky getting some games makes sense. But as it is, I don't want him riding pine because of a silly turnover or a young-guy mistake. You want him back out there the very next shift after those. He can do that in Springfield, but I don't think Monty would have much choice but to let him sit in favor of veterans who are less likely to make those mistakes.
It would also be different if we had a guy like Ryan O'Rielly still around that we wanted Dvorsky to learn from. I'm as big of a Robert Thomas fan as there is, but he (and Schenn, frankly) just don't have the same "I'm going to positively influence the young guys" vibe that ROR had for awhile here. Rob Tom isn't going anywhere. Let them hash it out over the summer.
bleedblue1223
Registered User
- Jan 21, 2011
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I don't think the situations are remotely similar, especially after our change from Bannister to Monty. With Bannister in charge, I think you'd have a stronger argument, on some level Bannister was coaching as someone that didn't want to be fired. Monty will be coaching as someone with a 5 year contract who is no where near the hot seat. I don't think it's clear that Army and Stillman view this team as a playoff team. Monty was a move of opportunity, not one of desperation to turn the ship around this season. I don't have the exact quotes in front of me, but the things I remember from Armstrong is about how he expected them to compete, so still being a bubble team like last season, and that we are in the middle of what his plan was, so to me that also doesn't scream how making the playoffs was an expectation.
If and when Dvorsky is called up, they've already talked about how it will be when he's ready to never see the AHL again. In the off-season Army would make comments about how you can call a player up too early, but it's never a bad thing if they are down a little longer, or about he kind of regretted how they handled Neighbours. I do think the plan will be for Dvorsky to come up at some point this season, I don't think there is any rush on it, I don't think we should expect it soon, and I think we are handling it the right way.
We already had a massive need at center, and we avoided what we did with Tage Thompson in 17/18.
CaliforniaBlues310
Registered User
Just saw this but thanks for the reply! Part of me wonders if those turnovers are just from playing with guys who aren’t on the same skill level as him. Either way, hopefully he cleans up some of these faults ASAP.
It’s Zach Sanfordesque at times. I’m pretty sure he wasn’t on a different level. Its just not floating pucks to the middle hoping for good things to happen.
Sloppy game tonight…sloppy. Dvo did score on a classic one timer. Overshadowed by Tuckers two powerplay goals and an assist..??? Kaskimaki has two helpers so far. Bridgeport isn’t very good as Ellis has stood on his head in net. Poor back checking and passing has kept Bridgeport in it. 4-3 thru 2. Very good scrap for Dylan Peterson. He did well versus a veteran.
ChicagoBlues
Terraformers
- Oct 24, 2006
- 16,534
- 7,245
Thanks for posting information on the Thunderbirds.
In which aspects of the game do you think Konowalchuk could adjust?
That’s a good question. I think he can be too predictable. He rolls four lines. Nothing wrong with that it works.my own opinion is that sometimes you need to move a guy that’s a shooter (Dvo or Sylvegard) for an extra shift on a lower line and maybe capitalize on a better scoring chance? In the same light, maybe move one of your better forechecking forwards, like a Peterson and float him on one of your top lines to maybe create another turnover for a scoring chance for your top lines down low.
They really need to clean up the dump passes, the no look passes, and just being too cute in dangerous areas of the ice. That just does not fly in the NHL. It ends up in the back of the net. We are fortunate to have two excellent goalies at this level. I think at this point that needs to be coached and driven home sooner rather than later that this is not acceptable. This will determine how well they do ultimately in the playoffs. Better teams will beat them because of this.
ChicagoBlues
Terraformers
- Oct 24, 2006
- 16,534
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Dvorsky overtime winner! Zherenko just a stud in goal.
execwrite1
Registered User
- Mar 30, 2018
- 1,528
- 1,478
OT winner Saturday nite
Springfield has now won four straight games and is 8-1-1 in its last ten games, springboarding the team into third place in the Atlantic Division standings.
Dvorsky patiently curled the puck to the middle of the ice around a sprawled defender before launching a perfect shot glove-side on Weeks to give Springfield its second overtime win in as many nights.
Zherenko was at his best, making a pair of other breakaway saves on Guttman among his 24 denials through 40 minutes of play.
Zherenko rose up to make a game-changing stop in the opening seconds of the third, as he stretched out with the left leg to stonewall Samuel Savoie on a breakaway bid to keep the score at 1-0.
Springfield has now won four straight games and is 8-1-1 in its last ten games, springboarding the team into third place in the Atlantic Division standings.
Dvorsky patiently curled the puck to the middle of the ice around a sprawled defender before launching a perfect shot glove-side on Weeks to give Springfield its second overtime win in as many nights.
Zherenko was at his best, making a pair of other breakaway saves on Guttman among his 24 denials through 40 minutes of play.
Zherenko rose up to make a game-changing stop in the opening seconds of the third, as he stretched out with the left leg to stonewall Samuel Savoie on a breakaway bid to keep the score at 1-0.
jura
booze & blues
Rough start in Wilkes Barre. 4-1 thru 2. Dvo Kaski set up Sylvie. Loof created the play. Loof having a strong game both offensively and defensively. He stepped up and smoked a couple guys too. Wilkes Barre is loaded. So tough game.
Kaski ties it 4-4 big smart play by Dvo to keep the puck in the zone
bleedblue1223
Registered User
- Jan 21, 2011
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- 16,596
Kaskimaki has 17 points in 23 games, he's having a great season too.
ChicagoBlues
Terraformers
- Oct 24, 2006
- 16,534
- 7,245
So great to see him succeeding on smaller ice. He was such an unknown.
He can fly too. He is probably their best skater.
Beauterham
Registered User
- Aug 19, 2018
- 1,723
- 1,560
Especially knowing he had a slow start this season.
If he continues like this, he could battle for a rosterspot with someone like Walker next season.
The big thing is he excels in all three zones. Many times he will play the center role defensively and Dvo will guard the points as a winger normally does. Kaskimaki has the speed to catch Dvo and Sylvie and backcheck breaking up 3 on 2s. He is a regular killing penalties and has a very active stick. Plays a lot of minutes including the left side on the PP and usually gets his assists with a cross ice feed to Dvo. I really like the guy and would say he would be the first to contribute in a top nine role. Not a slight on Dvo, but he plays both ends of the ice very well. I don't know how many puts he will put up, but he will not hurt you being on the ice. I would be curious how he stacks up with Kyrou and Holloway skating. I know he was one of the best skaters in his draft class.
