GDT: Training Camp: Oh, Hockey’s Back

[Crease]

I don't know who needs to hear this but playing defense on the PK is a much, much simpler job than playing it at even strength.

This, and there is a higher risk of getting banged up from blocked shots and front-net battles. Would much prefer to leave the PK to the bottom four guys--except maybe in late game save situations.

 

[Vitto79]

Who’s Barron been playing w? Hunt and Gauthier ideally

 

[Levitate]

Who’s Barron been playing w? Hunt and Gauthier ideally

Yes that’s who he’s been playing with

 

[Kords]

Looks like Zac Jones is coming in hot. If he keeps putting up points in his preseason games, I can see him getting that 6th spot over Nils. Fans will lose their shit, but it might be for the better in the long run. Nils polishes his NA game playing big minutes/PP1 in Hartford and Jones' trade value goes through the roof.

 

[huerter]

Next March: "Makar is awesome but he doesn't even pk. That should give Fox the edge in the Norris vote, imo".

 

[Raspewtin]

Next March: "Makar is awesome but he doesn't even pk. That should give Fox the edge in the Norris vote, imo".

most of the best d-men in the league are not big PKers

do you get enjoyment out of this?

 

[Atax]

Looks like Zac Jones is coming in hot. If he keeps putting up points in his preseason games, I can see him getting that 6th spot over Nils. Fans will lose their shit, but it might be for the better in the long run. Nils polishes his NA game playing big minutes/PP1 in Hartford and Jones' trade value goes through the roof.

Let the best man win.

 

[Kovalev27]

Did MSG seriously not do a training camp special this year? Do they even care hockey is back?

 

[huerter]

most of the best d-men in the league are not big PKers

do you get enjoyment out of this?

The one's who aren't suited for it/good at it. That doesn't describe Fox. He led us in PK TOI and yet his overall minutes were fine. And that was with everyone losing there S over how our PP1 was so heavily relied on (even though the data said we fell in line with most teams). Fox and Lindgren. That's the combo. Punt Trouba to the sun.

 

[Kodiak]

most of the best d-men in the league are not big PKers

do you get enjoyment out of this?

I was curious on this point, so I checked the stats and they are backing you up.

Fox was 35th among defensemen in SH TOI/GP last year. Hedman with 55th and Makar was 187th.

Among the top 10 in Norris voting, the only one with a higher SH TOI/GP was MacKenzie Weegar, who finished 31st. And if you look at the top 10 defensemen in SH TOI/GP, the only ones to receive any Norris votes were Devon Toews and Brett Pesce.

Having a player like Nemeth on the 3rd pair is a far cry from Smith and Hajek. It's a smart move to use Nemeth to reduce Fox's PK time and keep him fresher for his first 82 game season.

 

[Fitzy]

It also substantially reduces the chance of injury to Fox.

 

[PuckLuck3043]

The one's who aren't suited for it/good at it. That doesn't describe Fox. He led us in PK TOI and yet his overall minutes were fine. And that was with everyone losing there S over how our PP1 was so heavily relied on (even though the data said we fell in line with most teams). Fox and Lindgren. That's the combo. Punt Trouba to the sun.

Fox wore down towards the end of the 56 game season last year. If he played PP, PK, and even strength he would certainly be gassed this year. There is no reason for him to PK.

 

[NYSPORTS]

I can see him getting that 6th spot over Nils. Fans will lose their shit, .

lol, we’ll need a therapy thread

 

[eco's bones]

I'm a little disappointed that this organization still view Kreider as an option on the top line, or atleast one of the top lines. Kravtsov should be the one moving up and Kreider moving down, the whole "put players in their roles" mantra that was preached by Drury isn't unfolding that way. Like i do like Kreider but i look at him as a perfect fit with Chytil and Goodrow. Like how does Kreider continue to get those minutes? If we traded Buch so Kreider could get top 6 mins thats nuts.

Kravtsov hasn’t proven all that much yet.

 

[LOFIN]

The one's who aren't suited for it/good at it. That doesn't describe Fox. He led us in PK TOI and yet his overall minutes were fine. And that was with everyone losing there S over how our PP1 was so heavily relied on (even though the data said we fell in line with most teams). Fox and Lindgren. That's the combo. Punt Trouba to the sun.

It's not about if Fox can do it. It's about utilizing him better. I would much rather not have Fox on the PK, if our PK does decent enough without him and we then have a more energized Fox for ES and PP. That's why Makar doesn't do PK with Colorado, they have other guys suited for it, and they can use Makar better when he's not on PK.

 

[ecemleafs]

i dont need mika or fox getting substantial PK time.

 

[OthmannOut]

Gallant commented on the Laf/Lindgren incident. "I didn't see nothing [shit eating grin]. Seriously I didn't, I didn't see nothing. I hope they have a little fire, that won't hurt nothing".

 

[Lindberg Cheese]

Who’s Barron been playing w? Hunt and Gauthier ideally

Barron’s playing with Dry Hunt

 

[Shesterkybomb]

Kravtsov hasn’t proven all that much yet.

I thought he showed himself excellently in his stint here especially given all the changes he would have faced coming from the KHL. He was dangerous with the puck, he protected it well, he was one of the few players on this team at the end that made you stand up when he got the puck. He's not a 18 year old kid and he's not a checking forward, the management lead us to believe players would be slotted where they belonged on this roster. Kreider has his contract, you can pretty much play him anywhere, it doesnt matter, we keep tooling around with Kravtsov and he may walk out the door.

 

[Shesterkybomb]

Fox wore down towards the end of the 56 game season last year. If he played PP, PK, and even strength he would certainly be gassed this year. There is no reason for him to PK.

He was worn down due to the injuries we had on the blueline. Looking at our d i dont think we have much option but to play him and trouba on the right side of the pk, unless we feel Nemeth can play there.

 

[Gr8CornHolio]

How many leads did we blow in the 3rd period last year?

If you don’t think the fact that zibanejad, buch, strome, Fox we’re all on pp1 playing 1:30 each power play and on the pk had a fact in this probably time to do some research on fatigue.

The fact they were on the ice that much had to contribute to the amount of blown late games.

Glad to hear GG is going to do things different

 

[huerter]

It's not about if Fox can do it. It's about utilizing him better. I would much rather not have Fox on the PK, if our PK does decent enough without him and we then have a more energized Fox for ES and PP. That's why Makar doesn't do PK with Colorado, they have other guys suited for it, and they can use Makar better when he's not on PK.

Makar is an outlier. Check the data and stop overthinking this. He's our best player.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

If they insist on naming a C I give it to Reaves until Laf is ready. One of the best personalities in the sport.

Reaves sure knows how to play the public. Says all the right things to please the fans.

 

[bobbop]

I wish, but The Athletic just cares about clicks/comments and Carp gets them. Dude has had a wildly engaged comments section for years.

Every article he writes gets a well deserved meh from me.

 

[bobbop]

I don't know who needs to hear this but playing defense on the PK is a much, much simpler job than playing it at even strength.

Simpler? Maybe.

Much harder? Yes.