News and Blog Report: Training camp & Preseason News & Notes, **New Pole Added**

[AM]

Everyone get their narratives and complaints set early!

If Knobber doesn't play the vets very much then he's an idiot and they wasted too much time on developing guys who will never make the team and the top guys didn't get a chance to mesh and gel together.

If Knobber plays the vets lots and they start the year slow (or gasp, someone gets injured) then he's an idiot for running the horses into the ground early. It's a marathon and not a sprint.

etc, etc...

Don’t steal them all.

 

[FlameChampion]

Last seasons slow start had little to do with the team meshing. It was the team peaking too early in training, even according to McDavid who felt fatigued and not 100% at seasons start.

The topline this year will be identically the same. The players knowing each other in their sleep. The Drai line will need time to work together. Big changes there as well as D pairings I guess.

Last season schedule was odd as well. We played nucks 3X early and that seemed to be their Stanley Cup beating us early in season. Also tough games Florida, Carolina, Tampa etc.

Most of our troubled start was atrocious goaltending and coaching.

I think the power play struggles were a huge part of it too. I think Woodcroft was a propped up with a historic powerplay and once it wasn’t… well

 

[FlameChampion]

Delete

 

[K1984]

Yeah I think getting off to a good start is really important. I think their starts have been pretty poor in general. Previous seasons it felt like PP just masked their issues but last season, the injuries and PP couldn’t mask the defense and goaltending.

Least with KK and PC they should be able to adapt and make changes.

Team really needs to get everyone going as well. Hopefully the Henrique/Janmark/Brown line has some chemistry from the playoffs.

Am excited what Skinner and Arvidson will do. I think both will be good. I think Arvidson just needs to stay healthy. I am curious how Draisaitl 5 on 5 looks like with 2 better wingers.

For years across multiple groups of players and multiple coaches our depth players have been complete ass until about January. Every year Leon and McDavid light it up and the power play lights it up until they get burned out in December and the team goes to shit. Then the bottom of the lineup gets going and the ship rights itself.

Difference was last year the power play and McDavid/Drai were ass to resulting in the disaster start. The key beyond all else IMO is the bottom of the roster players playing a role as soon as the season starts, not when they get chastised and the team is desperate.

 

[FlameChampion]

For years across multiple groups of players and multiple coaches our depth players have been complete ass until about January. Every year Leon and McDavid light it up and the power play lights it up until they get burned out in December and the team goes to shit. Then the bottom of the lineup gets going and the ship rights itself.

Difference was last year the power play and McDavid/Drai were ass to resulting in the disaster start. The key beyond all else IMO is the bottom of the roster players playing a role as soon as the season starts, not when they get chastised and the team is desperate.

Agreed that the bottom 6 doesn’t tend to have anything going until January. Hopefully not the case this year. If Henrique/Brown/Janmark are as good as they were in the playoffs, I’d like to see the line used as a checking line and used in some defensive and open net situations at end of the game just to get more guys going.

 

[5 Mins 4 Ftg]

 

[Jimmi McJenkins]

That 5M, nice for Kassian, more eyes won't hurt.

 

[Jimmi McJenkins]

The new guy is excited.

 

[Behind Enemy Lines]

The new guy is excited.

Thanks for sharing. Real good interview. Very clear, specific answers in describing his game and strengths. Mentioned his physical game - that's the area I will be watching in terms of compete and play in contested areas of ice. Opportunity has arrived with the whole on this team's right side d.

 

[Jimmi McJenkins]

Thanks for sharing. Real good interview. Very clear, specific answers in describing his game and strengths. Mentioned his physical game - that's the area I will be watching in terms of compete and play in contested areas of ice. Opportunity has arrived with the whole on this team's right side d.

I really wonder if he steps forward like a young Kulak did after his first 20 games in one season, then played 70+ the next year and hasn't looked back.

 

[Behind Enemy Lines]

I really wonder if he steps forward like a young Kulak did after his first 20 games in one season, then played 70+ the next year and hasn't looked back.

We'll see. Kulak reset with his opportunity in a new organization. Albeit the Canadiens outside of their cinderella Cup run was in a different organizational phase in which it could afford more runway with the player. Leash is shorter in a mature Cup chase phase team. But Emberson's age, latent potential, simple, efficient game will get a good look with cheap salary and need to play or lose as a waiver risk or UFA at end of year.

I'm hopeful all things considered.

 

[Jimmi McJenkins]

Holy shit Kane was lit up.

So I'm all for the "very thorough" recovery, by with all that to repair and rehab, it might be damn long.

 

[5 Mins 4 Ftg]

 

[Drivesaitl]

Mike Hoffman. Liked him lots during career and defended him lots. Including from that bastard Eric Karlson. But this is on the old side.

The Oilers are really going precap Dallas Stars here loading up with star players but being old. We'll see if this sort of thing works. Realize he's PTO but a guy this talented can probably make a club. Odd to see him even as a PTO.

 

[Slats432]

Correction...

 

[Fourier]

Are any of the practices open to the public?

 

[Jimmi McJenkins]

Are any of the practices open to the public?

Maybe? lol Couldn't help it.

 

[5 Mins 4 Ftg]

 

[5 Mins 4 Ftg]

 

[rboomercat90]

Stauffer looks like he picked up those 15 lbs that Michaels lost. I guess we can look forward to more of those action shots of his.

 

[Mr Kot]

Are any of the practices open to the public?

im still going

 

[5 Mins 4 Ftg]

Stauffer looks like he picked up those 15 lbs that Michaels lost. I guess we can look forward to more of those action shots of his.

Hair is a new shade of black as well

 

[5 Mins 4 Ftg]

Are any of the practices open to the public?

None that I’ve heard.

 

[Fourier]

None that I’ve heard.

That's too bad.

 

[KenLinsemanFanClub]

Stauffer looks like he picked up those 15 lbs that Michaels lost. I guess we can look forward to more of those action shots of his.

Cut him some slack. He's just back from his role as The Penguin.