X. Texas Stars (AHL) Discussion

[Bluesoma]

Weird. They changed the penalties. Stransky with a 2 minmcross checking and 10 min misconduct for the scuffle afterwards. Rampage also gets a 2 min.

 

[Bluesoma]

Never mind. 5 min major On Stransky. Awesomeness

 

[Bluesoma]

Rampage scores twice quickly. Campbell pulled and Lagace is in. Jack played well but they have another game tomorrow. So....Yeah.

 

[Bluesoma]

Welp, to call that game a dumpster fire would be an insult to dumpster fires. Stars lose 7-1.

Slight caveat to all this. A few guys were battling the flu and that could be a slight excuse for the performance tonight.

First the bad: Defense was crap. This is worse than last couple of seasons by far in terms of the skill group for that corp. Gaunce has regressed by a large amount, Fortunus is still Fortunus. Wrenn is still a borderline AHLer. Honka is still learning the pro game. Meech is...decent.

For those wonder Honka only had probably 10 minutes or so of ice time and didn't look that well either offensively or defensively. But he didn't get much of a chance because it seemed like Texas was constantly on the PK.

Speaking, man this team is incredibly undisciplined right now. So many penalties.

Enough *****ing, time for some upside. I can only make real note of three players who did worth a damn this game: Smith, Troock, and Campbell.

Smith didn't look out of place in the Top 6. Quick, hard nosed plays and just absolutely tenacious at going after the puck. He showed a little skills with his hands too a few times. He's my player to watch this season I think. Yes, even over Honka.

Troock wasn't as flashy but showing some tenacity in his play style also.

Now with the score you'd wonder why I have Campbell in the good column. It's because he made some good saves and won some battles to keep the score from like 10-1 or worse. A good portion of the goals against were power play goals and on the backside. He should have made a few for sure and he does tend to get himself out of position in his scrambling but he wasn't terrible. Pulling him wasn't because he was bad, I saw it more as a rest and might as well give Lagace a look.

 

[MetalGodAOD*]

Texas down 2-0 to SA. They're really playing poorly this year. Lost all their depth and Laxdal doesn't seem to be coaching them out of it.

 

[MetalGodAOD*]

Shutout. 6 straight losses. Disaster.

 

[TestGrave]

Shutout. 6 straight losses. Disaster.

Man, I don't even want to look at the boxscore anymore... Are Rynnas, Ritchie, etc. still sick?

 

[Bluesoma]

Man, I don't even want to look at the boxscore anymore... Are Rynnas, Ritchie, etc. still sick?

Yes.

Right now this team has no offense, a defense from the ECHL, and inconsistent goaltending.


We may be living the Pyle season again unless Laxdal can prove otherwise.

 

[Stars99Lobo37]

Right now this team has no offense, a defense from the ECHL, and inconsistent goaltending.

That sounds way too familiar.

 

[BigG44]

Let's be honest. About 75% of this is defense. Rynnas and Campbell, especially Rynnas, aren't inconsistent they're overwhelmed. Campbell is developing a confidence issue though similar to what we saw in the OHL. When he suffers personally from a weak team he mentally wears down. Even in the 7 goal game he was making huge saves, and the goals were good goals many on the PP.

They can't defend though to save their life. No one is scoring either. It's rough to watch. I don't know that it's time to turn on Laxdall. I think it's more time for Nill to make a move to help the team.

I feel like Scott White didn't make the best decisions with veteran signings, and they don't have the guys that can step up and carry the team. Other than Morin, you have a bunch of Bottom 6 forwards and mediocre D.

If White can't find some talent to fix this, Nill needs to do something. Loosing Connauton opened up another contract spot. He's got the means to add without hurting Dallas.

 

[Bluesoma]

Let's be honest. About 75% of this is defense. Rynnas and Campbell, especially Rynnas, aren't inconsistent they're overwhelmed. Campbell is developing a confidence issue though similar to what we saw in the OHL. When he suffers personally from a weak team he mentally wears down. Even in the 7 goal game he was making huge saves, and the goals were good goals many on the PP.

They can't defend though to save their life. No one is scoring either. It's rough to watch. I don't know that it's time to turn on Laxdall. I think it's more time for Nill to make a move to help the team.

I feel like Scott White didn't make the best decisions with veteran signings, and they don't have the guys that can step up and carry the team. Other than Morin, you have a bunch of Bottom 6 forwards and mediocre D.

If White can't find some talent to fix this, Nill needs to do something. Loosing Connauton opened up another contract spot. He's got the means to add without hurting Dallas.

Oh I totally agree that it's mostly defense. And the offense can't really get going because they can't get out of their own zone or maintain the offense (seriously, I've seen so many power plays break down because the D didn't hold the puck in the zone on a pass).

At this point I wouldn't mind if they sent Jordie down.

Not turning on Laxdal yet, just cautious. He doesn't have a lot to work with which doesn't help but I think we're also spoiled by how awesome Willie and Lidster was.

 

[BigG44]

Willie and Lidster also had awesome depth, and the one time injuries weakened the defense, Jack Campbell played the best two months of his pro career. They also saw one of the most talented teams in the regular season get blown out in the first round. It's a growing process for everyone, and every situation is unique.

I'm less panicked about Texas honestly than Dallas right now. Most of the Texas players only had a two month summer so a slow start isn't entirely shocking. If they don't do something to replace the D they've lost though ... it'll probably continue to be ugly though.

 

[aloonda*]

Willie and Lidster also had awesome depth, and the one time injuries weakened the defense, Jack Campbell played the best two months of his pro career. They also saw one of the most talented teams in the regular season get blown out in the first round. It's a growing process for everyone, and every situation is unique.

I'm less panicked about Texas honestly than Dallas right now. Most of the Texas players only had a two month summer so a slow start isn't entirely shocking. If they don't do something to replace the D they've lost though ... it'll probably continue to be ugly though.

what are viable options here g?

 

[BigG44]

I always mess this up but OKC loss was 2nd round.

 

[BigG44]

what are viable options here g?

That's a question for pro scouts. I only watch TX AHL games which means I barely see a fraction of the league. Valentine sounds like a nice start. There isn't an easy fix though. NHL teams aren't going to dump solid depth D. You pretty much have to coast until you can add NCAA, junior, and European players at the end of the season.

The only other option is to make a trade. Pittsburgh is shopping young D for forward help. I still like the idea of Rutherford giving up a young top AHL D with NHL potential to be reunited with Cole, but part of me knows that is also pretty unlikely.

Jordie Benn isn't the answer though. He's been a useful D that handled 20 minutes a game for a stretch ... while making little money. He'd never clear waivers. Unlike Connauton, there is tape to suggest he can be a number 6 or better at the NHL level. He's done it before. It's easier to gamble on past performance than a hunch about potential.

 

[hockeey]

Just curious on how Campbell has been playing so far. His save percentage dropped off a good amount but from reading a bit here, its due to the defense most likely. Does he have a good chance of becoming a starting goaltender for the stars?

 

[Bluesoma]

Campbell had a rough start but getting back to form. Unfortunately his defense is horrible. He still come up with some big saves but has let some soft ones in.

Two things I've seen him having issues with is sometimes he can be too aggressive and shots dribbling through him. We're talking Tim Thomas aggressive when going for saves that takes him out of position without freezing the puck and such. As for shots getting through him, I've seen way too many times where some how the puck he stops gets through his gear and slowly make its way to the goal. He's been able to corral some of those but not all of them.

 

[StarsTx]

As someone that doesn't get to watch many Ahl games, I know Ritchie is likely soon to be a top 6 Nhler. Honka of course will be a player in a couple and McKenzie is already back and 4th. I expect Faksa to be a 3rd liner but other than those players, is there anybody else on the texas stars that has a chance at being a top 6 player with the big boys? I know Jack in goal (hopefully) someday too.

 

[Bluesoma]

Eeehhh not anyone I can really say "Yeah he'll be a Top 6 guy" but lots of borderline guys.

The top candidates are Ranford, Stransky, and Smith. Smith and Ranford are fairly similar energy type guys though Ranford has better skills and Smith better speed. Stransky has hands but his skating and hockey smarts still needs work.

 

[LT]

Dowling set to be a career AHLer?

 

[Bluesoma]

Dowling set to be a career AHLer?

As much as I'd like him to get a shot in the NHL, he's not a bottom 6 type. He'll probably be the next Morin. Great in the AHL but just not enough for the NHL.

In other news, Lagace finally got a home at Missouri and Peters sent to Idaho.

 

[Bluesoma]

Welp Texas loses again, once again during OT to OKC. They looked better. Not watching in person and doing other stuff so couldn't really keep an eye on anyone but like I said overall it looked better.

 

[Wilbur*]

I take it Faksa is struggling?

 

[Bluesoma]

I take it Faksa is struggling?

Not really. He's doing ok.

 

[OttMorrow]

Not really. He's doing ok.

Well Faksa sure isn't producing, which is of concern.