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It was a painful night. First ever game live for my son. Stupid flames had an 80’s theme night where they had old players and kept showing highlights during the intermission of their one and only 89’ cup win. anyways, it was close until the second period, than the flames pulled ahead, habs battled back and than idiotic refereeing put it way. some thoughts at seeing most of the young players live for the first time and being able to just follow them: -top line is going to be something special, but they have to stop trying to setup the perfect pass all the time and shoot more. -Slafkovsky is a big dude and I’m hoping he can be a Leclair type force - but I think he can also become a much more skilled player that generates more offence on his own than Leclair did. -Caufield’s shot is still off. I know he scored of a deaflybshot tonight. But his One timer isn’t there. Too many times tonight, he just didn’t have enough zip on his shot. Hopefully he is fully recovered by next training camp. -Harris just isn’t physical enough and doesn’t bring the offence you’d want from a non-physical dman. May be a bad night, but was really disappointed in him and how easily he was pushed around. -Suzuki can really slow down the game. There were times the Habs were running around like chickens with their heads off, and Suzuki got the puck ragged it around until everyone settled down. He will score 80+ points next year. -as with the top line, this team needs to shoot more - way too many cute passes and too many cross ice pass attempts - particularly too Caufield. Can’t keep doing that when you have to make those passes through traffic. -Evans effort level surprised me. He is an also a very good stick handler. He’s also being wasted between the two Bergevin two worst remaining long term deals. Anderson and Gallagher are useless. Garbage play by both. Anderson hit a post, but otherwise was useless. Can we just buy them out this year??? I know it’s going to cost a lot, but may as well get them out of the lineup and reduce their cap hit two years from now, when we hope to be competitive. -Roy is a smart player. Hoped to se more offensively. But you could see the high hockey IQ Jennie was on the ice - with and without the puck. -we need someone from the young D to step up. Wasn’t really impressed by anyone tonight. Was hoping to see more and better from Guhle, wifi and Struble, and like I said earlier, was surprised how disappointed I was in Harris.. And the young D also need to start shooting more. Savard was shooting, but the young guys during the first half were just not getting the puck on the net hen there was traffic in front. I wish this game was a few w escalate and maybe I could have seen Hutson live. -Premieau flops around and is out of position. A LOT!! He.needs to work on his positioning and not take himself out of the play as much. anyways, this was really the only game I wanted them to win for the rest of the years hopefully they lose the rest, but the young guys get a ton of points.

A good article, could be one of these guys unless we win the lottery. How Catton and Lindstrom compare against each other in the 2024 draft class (nhlentrydraft.com)

Laval vs Toronto today 4pm

Very cool review. There really is no substitute for seeing players live - although the danger, as you note, is drawing sweeping conclusions from one game. I’ll be seeing them in Van later this week, and will keep your reflections in mind.

The Oilers-Avs game was about as good a game as I have seen this year. The OT was phenomenal when you get 3 on 3 with McDavid, Draisaitl, MacKinnon and Makar. Arturi scores with a second left. I still say without a doubt that McDavid is the best player in the world but MacKinnon is certainly number 2, a phenomenal player.