Training camp

[GAGLine]

tweet unavailable. What was?

Someone posted Kakko's picture where he holds up the sign with his jersey number, best friend, etc. and claimed that Kakko was the only one on the team who didn't pick a teammate as his best friend (he picked his brother). It wasn't true, just someone trying to stir up shit, probably got a bunch of hate for it and deleted it.

 

[Thirty One]

Someone posted Kakko's picture where he holds up the sign with his jersey number, best friend, etc. and claimed that Kakko was the only one on the team who didn't pick a teammate as his best friend (he picked his brother). It wasn't true, just someone trying to stir up shit, probably got a bunch of hate for it and deleted it.

The internet was a mistake.

 

[chosen]

Chytil to Kakko to Laf

The reporters are talking about ice time in the background.,

Gallant's job is to develop and win.

The guy who says his job is to win sounds like Larry.

Gallant ain't winning unless the young players take the next step and that's on him.

Player development is always on the player.

 

[GAGLine]

The internet was a mistake.

I blame Al Gore.

 

[JimmyG89]

Don't think there is really an issue with what Gallant is doing on day 1 of camp. There is a clear cut top 9 forwards on the roster.

Mika, Kreider, Panarin, Trocheck, Chytil, Lafreniere, Kakko, Blais and Goodrow. Guys like Kravtsov, Gauthier, Hunt, Othmann, Cuylle, Vesey, etc. are vying for the last few spots. Reaves has a spot. Carpenter has a spot (PK forward). Reaves and Carpenter have roster spots, maybe not lineup spots. I could see them interchange. Also, guys like Blais and Goodrow could find themselves on the 4th line, it's just that right now, their part of that group the coach trusts.

Goodrow being ramped up slowly is fine, and it allows Blais to fill in a role. Plus, you will get to find out exactly where Blais is since he hasn't played in 10 months. Who better to put a guy that you want to see if he can do what you need than Kreider and Zibanejad? They're the vets up front. Could it have been Panarin? Sure, but he is also working with a new center and Trocheck fills the gritty type on that line, put the skilled winger with them now.

Kravtsov really has his chance to shine. He's never really been put high up in the lineup. This is the final opportunity for him here. He has to work with Panarin. If he cannot play his skill game with the most skilled player on the team, I'm not sure it will work. He is the one out of the group vying for the last spots that could vault himself into the Top 9 forwards on the team.

As for the Kid Line, let them come back comfortable. That line was the line they all had their most success in the NHL with.

As for Hajek over Jones with Schneider, I think if we're honest with each other, Hajek took one for the team last year. He sat in the pressbox all season. We all joke, but it's a tough spot. Easily could have requested a trade. He should be given the benefit of the doubt to begin camp. There is no way he wins the 6th spot. Jones will take it. Maybe Robertson takes it from both of them. You still have to let the guy that was on the roster all last year be the leader and let Jones/Robertson "earn" that spot.

 

[Daves a mess]

Sad that Schneider didn't put "Nils".

Maybe if the category was "My b**ch"..

 

[Rongomania]

Kakko out to prove some shit after the benching.

So far, he's showing exactly what we all wanted. Ya just love to see it.

 

[bhamill]

i dont get why we always need to be mad....but its so absurd sometimes theres almost a charm to it

i partly blame the org...weve been abused for so long we jump straight to outrage long before they can do it again

hahahaha. Fair point!

 

[Thirty One]

If Kakko really did learn how to shoot, it feels like a "uh-oh Happy learned how to putt" moment. Game-changer.

 

[bobbop]

I really like what Gallant is doing. Let the kids play. Let the kid line play. This team won't be better this year unless some these young players step forward. Now is the time for them to start doing that.

Line combinations are immaterial right now.

 

[zlev]

having nine top-6 caliber forwards is a really nice problem to have

 

[Thirty One]

having nine top-6 caliber forwards is a really nice problem to have

It would be, yes.

 

[EdJovanovski]

Missing tooth Kakko

 

[maris]

Don't think there is really an issue with what Gallant is doing on day 1 of camp. There is a clear cut top 9 forwards on the roster.

Mika, Kreider, Panarin, Trocheck, Chytil, Lafreniere, Kakko, Blais and Goodrow. Guys like Kravtsov, Gauthier, Hunt, Othmann, Cuylle, Vesey, etc. are vying for the last few spots. Reaves has a spot. Carpenter has a spot (PK forward). Reaves and Carpenter have roster spots, maybe not lineup spots. I could see them interchange. Also, guys like Blais and Goodrow could find themselves on the 4th line, it's just that right now, their part of that group the coach trusts.

Goodrow being ramped up slowly is fine, and it allows Blais to fill in a role. Plus, you will get to find out exactly where Blais is since he hasn't played in 10 months. Who better to put a guy that you want to see if he can do what you need than Kreider and Zibanejad? They're the vets up front. Could it have been Panarin? Sure, but he is also working with a new center and Trocheck fills the gritty type on that line, put the skilled winger with them now.

Kravtsov really has his chance to shine. He's never really been put high up in the lineup. This is the final opportunity for him here. He has to work with Panarin. If he cannot play his skill game with the most skilled player on the team, I'm not sure it will work. He is the one out of the group vying for the last spots that could vault himself into the Top 9 forwards on the team.

As for the Kid Line, let them come back comfortable. That line was the line they all had their most success in the NHL with.

As for Hajek over Jones with Schneider, I think if we're honest with each other, Hajek took one for the team last year. He sat in the pressbox all season. We all joke, but it's a tough spot. Easily could have requested a trade. He should be given the benefit of the doubt to begin camp. There is no way he wins the 6th spot. Jones will take it. Maybe Robertson takes it from both of them. You still have to let the guy that was on the roster all last year be the leader and let Jones/Robertson "earn" that spot.

I like Chytil a lot. But what is it that a center needs to primarily do? If its passing and face offs ?

 

[Chaels Arms]

Strome and Panarin did most of their work on the PP. Panarin, Trocheck and Kravtsov might actually be a good 5v5 line. Will be interesting to see how the 5v5 ice time pans out early in the season.

 

[gravey9]

In regards to Hajek/Jones, I have no problem with Gallant showing Hajek the opportunity to start camp. He's the "veteran" of the two. Say what you want about Hajek but he was in limbo with the team all last season and then some. He's likely worked his tail off this summer like every other player wanting to improve. He's paid his dues to at least get a good look.

The thing about all of this is us fans are sitting here looking at lineups and we make our assumptions on players based on the games we watch on TV and whatever other media we are fed. We aren't sitting in meetings, coaching and basically living with all of these guys like family for 8-9 months of the year.

Hajek has been at almost every practice, road trip and team function over the past 3 years. When hes up in the press box not playing, he is out of sight and mind for the fanbase. But he is an individual, a real person who you have to look in the eye and try to develop just like everyone else.

Its just as much about respect, even if he may not win the job. Jones will have to take that spot from him, and it's very possible he can, einand will. But you extend the look to the guy with seniority in this regard and for all intensive purposes is at the same level with the other 2 or 3 guys fighting for the 6th-7th spot

I agree with this. And I think his teammates and coaches notice this too. I happen to think Blais being on the first line to start the camp is a nice move by Gallant. Guy played a handful of games, ended up injured for almost a full calendar year. Got screwed out of earning a higher salary. Worked his butt off. Tried to hang around the team. It's a nice acknowledgement by Gallant to start him in a place that lets him know that he's still a valued member of the team. Plus, it allowed GG to avoid starting off on the wrong foot by putting one of the kids on line 1 while keeping the other two on line 3. Keep em together for now and make adjustments as needed. But that kid line if kept together is going to be fire.

 

[MrAlmost]

A lot of things can factor into these decisions. Hell, Gallant may have talked with Laf, Chytil and Kakko and they all preferred to stay together for the time. I'm pretty sure they know they played well in the playoffs.

AV didn't get this much shit after his Stanley Cup and ECF runs. I wonder why people don't like Gallant so much.

 

[gravey9]

A lot of things can factor into these decisions. Hell, Gallant may have talked with Laf, Chytil and Kakko and they all preferred to stay together for the time. I'm pretty sure they know they played well in the playoffs.

AV didn't get this much shit after his Stanley Cup and ECF runs. I wonder why people don't like Gallant so much.

I think it's just the tension of winning vs getting the kids enough responsibility so they can grow and develop. It hasn't helped that a bunch of prospects have asked out in the last few years (and really none of that has anything to do with Gallant) but there's just an impression that's been going on since we signed Trouba, Kreider and Panarin that the team gives too much to the vets and not enough to the kids. That impression may have some validity, but not to the extent it's argued. I think Gallant seems to be pretty upfront with his players. And they seem to like him -- even the kids.

 

[HockeyBasedNYC]

I agree with this. And I think his teammates and coaches notice this too. I happen to think Blais being on the first line to start the camp is a nice move by Gallant. Guy played a handful of games, ended up injured for almost a full calendar year. Got screwed out of earning a higher salary. Worked his butt off. Tried to hang around the team. It's a nice acknowledgement by Gallant to start him in a place that lets him know that he's still a valued member of the team. Plus, it allowed GG to avoid starting off on the wrong foot by putting one of the kids on line 1 while keeping the other two on line 3. Keep em together for now and make adjustments as needed. But that kid line if kept together is going to be fire.

100%. Thats a great point about Blais that didnt cross my mind. When you are in the thick of it on a team and youre trying to build something special these are the things that matter, as opposed to placating the fans, media and what people may expect.

During the year things change and its a long season. Guys will get moved around. Its a good problem to have young talent and not enough time to spread around. If there was, this team would be in true rebuild mode like the Devils or the eternally downtrodden Sabres.

And I'll circle back to Hajek - he's been a good citizen. He could've requested a trade too (although there isnt much of a reputation for him to fall back on) He's stuck it out and is still only 24. It would be a great thing for the team if he actually goes out there and wins the job outright.

 

[TominNC]

Maybe Laf prefers LW

 

[will1066]

100%. Thats a great point about Blais that didnt cross my mind. When you are in the thick of it on a team and youre trying to build something special these are the things that matter, as opposed to placating the fans, media and what people may expect.

During the year things change and its a long season. Guys will get moved around. Its a good problem to have young talent and not enough time to spread around. If there was, this team would be in true rebuild mode like the Devils or the eternally downtrodden Sabres.

And I'll circle back to Hajek - he's been a good citizen. He could've requested a trade too (although there isnt much of a reputation for him to fall back on) He's stuck it out and is still only 24. It would be a great thing for the team if he actually goes out there and wins the job outright.

Hajek can still be a very serviceable 6D or 7D. He's mobile and has a decent first pass. Experience over the last few years will teach him how to play different pressure situations in the corners when he's hemmed in, how to use positioning and body, those can still be taught.

 

[HockeyBasedNYC]

Hajek can still be a very serviceable 6D or 7D. He's mobile and has a decent first pass. Experience over the last few years will teach him how to play different pressure situations in the corners when he's hemmed in, how to use positioning and body, those can still be taught.

We dont discuss his game on here in a serious manner because hes the whipping boy, but I agree. He gets rocked often and to me thats just a balance thing that may never be corrected, but there are little things you mention that he can improve upon for sure

 

[huerter]

"He's a right handed shot just like Stromer."

'Gallant gets geometry'

Print the shirts.

 

[Rongomania]

"He's a right handed shot just like Stromer."

'Gallant gets geometry'

Print the shirts.

We all know this team is on the cusp of greatness and the swag and hilarity really hits this year.

 

[The Crypto Guy]

Can't f***ing wait for the first preseason game on Monday!