Wayne Train Derailed?: Goes on Non-Roster status

[riffle]

 

[Leafsfan74]

Coach could still have both Simmonds and Clifford in the lineup (4th line only) and but reduce both of their icetimes by double-shifting other wingers. Might give them incentive to do what they need to do when they do get out there. At least it makes the rest of the team play bigger when 2 tough guys are dressed.

I liked the prior game with Clifford, Blackwell and Simmonds and I believe it could be an effective physical force in a playoff series. I've said before I believe players like Simmonds benefit from a strong wingman. Let's not forget that against the Jets Simmonds tried to throw down but the linesman wisely cut it off as the game was in hand.

Some rotation of that line makes sense to me and players surely realize what Keefe is trying to accomplish. Be a professional and understand that this team needs a physical presence from the 4th Line.

There should be no "I" for this team. Whoever sits from game to game has to be a good teammate and be part of the success. Be it Simmonds, Spezza or Blackwell. Everyone earns a ring for their contribution if the Cup is lifted.

I happen to believe (hope) that if his linemates bring game that Simmonds will be a playoff force.

 

[WTFMAN99]

Easily the best game he's had all season.

 

[nuck]

I wonder if the key to getting more performances like tonight, is playing him less / resting him more.

Seemed rejuvenated & fired up tonight, coming back into the lineup.

With Blackwell on the sidelines, potentially being joined by Abrusseze, Knies, and even Robertson and Kase, there's no reason why Simmonds should be playing every night.

Looking at his game logs in the 21 games he played over 10:00 a night he had 8 points and was a +4. In the 41 games they played him under 10:00 he had 7 points and was a -10. I think last night's boost was partly due to returning to his old barn plus maybe some fear of sitting out more rather than getting actual rest. Last nights goal was his first of the season playing less than 10:00 TOI.

I do agree he maybe shouldn't be out there every night but I think he needs to get enough minutes when he does play to get warmed up. Now perhaps the coach used him less in games where he started crappy so low minutes became low production that way I'm not sure, because I didn't look at minutes by period. Spezza is similar with -7 with 4 points in 19 games under 10:00 and +2 with 17 points in 42 games over 10:00.

I think players like Mitch, AM and Rielly would benefit from reduced minutes some nights to save some fuel for the playoffs but for the older guys who don't get top 6 minutes to start with, games off rather than chopped minutes gets them rest but keeps them productive.

 

[fahad203]

Really liked his game last few outings

 

[Kelly]

Think he has to be on the fourth line game 1. Between him, Clifford and Spezza his "skill set" is way more unique.

Bunting - 34 - 16
Kerfoot - JT - Will
Mik - Kampf - Engvall
Simmonds - Blackwell - Kase

Rielly - Lub
Muzzin - Brodie
Gio - Lilly
Sandin/Holl

Jack

 

[zeke]

Nice to see him with some jump in his step...but being useful against WPG and PHI doesn't mean he's useful against TB/FLA/BOS.

 

[Tak7]

Looking at his game logs in the 21 games he played over 10:00 a night he had 8 points and was a +4. In the 41 games they played him under 10:00 he had 7 points and was a -10. I think last night's boost was partly due to returning to his old barn plus maybe some fear of sitting out more rather than getting actual rest. Last nights goal was his first of the season playing less than 10:00 TOI.

I do agree he maybe shouldn't be out there every night but I think he needs to get enough minutes when he does play to get warmed up. Now perhaps the coach used him less in games where he started crappy so low minutes became low production that way I'm not sure, because I didn't look at minutes by period. Spezza is similar with -7 with 4 points in 19 games under 10:00 and +2 with 17 points in 42 games over 10:00.

I think players like Mitch, AM and Rielly would benefit from reduced minutes some nights to save some fuel for the playoffs but for the older guys who don't get top 6 minutes to start with, games off rather than chopped minutes gets them rest but keeps them productive.

It's an interesting point, but I actually think it's the opposite of what you're suggesting: he plays less when that line is playing poorly, and plays more when that line is on it. We know Keefe is very much about making you earn your ice time. I don't believe in the idea that Simmonds has to play more than 10:00 in order to be effective.

Fully agree with you regarding some rest for the top guys in the lineup. A trend that we don't really talk enough about, is how worn down guys like Matthews & Marner have looked when we get into the later parts of the series they've been involved in. They both looked absolutely drained by the time game 7 rolled around.

 

[Menzinger]

The perfect guy for load management at this stage of his career.

He's got a bit of hockey left to play

 

[OVO16]

Nice to see him with some jump in his step...but being useful against WPG and PHI doesn't mean he's useful against TB/FLA/BOS.

Are you kidding. He'll absolutely be useful against TB/BOS/FLA. 3 of the toughest teams in the league

 

[justloveleafs]

I went out for a long bike ride. Good strip, in Kitchener albeit only a couple of miles.

They dropped in the swans, just two of them. Male and female.

Male looked more buffed than the year before, no idea where they housed him or her, over the winter,...

Dropped the male in first then the female, literallay saw it.,..

Hundreds of male geese, took him on.

BUt, but, only one two or three at a time.

I saw it so clear

Up to three took him oin and he fended them off, but juat barely....

I was setting off to the side, a gooses wings hit me in the face, it was kinda intense...
wow

As the wings of that goose hit me in the face, I went, wow, can you imagine the giraffe hitting yu full force?

 

[zeke]

Are you kidding. He'll absolutely be useful against TB/BOS/FLA. 3 of the toughest teams in the league

Toughest?

Simmonds and Co outplayed some ahl level counterparts the last 2gms.

Fla bos tb have much more skilled players than them on their 4th lines.

 

[saffronleaf]

choo choo

 

[BlueBaron]

He had a good game. I think we all like him and are rooting for him. He's not going to do this every game and needs to be used strategically. Some nights we are going to need that energy but other nights we may want a different fit.

One thing about our forward group, it's very deep, very versatile. Clifton brings a lot of the same things. I hope to see him on the 29th against Boston but I'm not sure I'll see him play again after unless we go deep or we collapse really fast.