IN THE HEARTS OF MEN

I still believe that at 5on5, the first and second lines have not performed all that well. Maybe my eyes are deceiving me, but I don't think that is the case. Way to many high danger chances given up. They havent defended the slot or middle of the ice that well if at all. I think maybe just the OTT game we did well limiting the middle of the ice, and it ended up being our best game of the season.

Gally has been one of our best forwards to open the season. Yesterday, he was in on at least 3 minimum high danger scoring chances. Neither of those two are a problem playing in the bottom 6. Anderson taking a regular shift on PK, and the PK top #3 currently shows he's willing to pay the price and earn more ice. Right now all the issues are scoring in the top 6 not named Caufield. Ironically Slav is a PPG thus far and he's not even shown remotely his dominant play to end the season LY Also finishing the biscuits Lane is serving, literally on platters would go a long way. The kid should have 10/15 helpers already! if we could score on 50% of the one timers and open looks he is serving his teammates, it help substantially Of course that is not factoring in -last in shots for - last in shots against - last in high danger shots against And abysmal in face offs

Matheson travelling with team to NY, Guhle staying in Montreal. Slav leaves practice and doesn't return...

It would be foolish to move Matheson right now for sure. This D is already to young.

I know it's only 6 games.... but, I believe Hutson is/ will be a level up on Subban (and I loved Subban) Also, I wouldn't put to much stock into Dach, and his very slow start. He's literally one year post op and most often, players need a full season to get back to their former self. If he's still having big issues game 40/ 50, maybe that will be cause for concern. Until than, let's give him a chance to get over the mental hurdles of trusting his knee again. Fear and hesitancy is real.

Is Guhle Hutson our new top pair already?

Goodness me, is this kid ever good.

Strategy should be simple... -GIVE THE PUCK TO LANE. -GET OPEN rinse and repeat

We need to address faceoffs.... I feel like we lose every bloody draw. Kapanan needs to up his intensity

Live at the game, Hutson looked exceptional at times. The O zone is a no brainer to see but, his decision making in the d zone was very good and his subtle feints and outlet passing was spot on almost always. He ran around in the D zone no more than any other player when we were hemmed in our own end. Will he get out muscled for pucks at times? Of course.... To me, he has been excellent since game 81 LY and will only get better.

It's 2024... I want the best players, regardless of the part of the world, or part of Canada for that matter they come from.

I would think if Mailloux was given an opportunity to force management's hand and didn't deliver, he was rightly sent down so as not to risk Barron on waivers. Roy is a suprise but, he is just as young as Heinemen and Kapanan, so if they stepped up in preseason and Roy didn't deliver during preseason why should it be any different? Because he put up 9 points in 23 games LY and has great IQ and high ceiling?

I dont think it will.

Sens starting their A team minus giroux Habs top 4 + Struble resting minus Guhle who has seen zero action. No top 4 forwards either. Not impressed

Hutson has locked up #3 on the 2nd pair almost from day 1. The top 4 is set It's the bottom pair that's up in the air

Greig taking ownership with his late blindside hit and then finally answering the bell, pours a little cold water on this game. I want to see Xhekaj play hockey and remain out of the box and on the ice today.

No line up yet for tonight? Was there no morning skate?

Lol, so you agree

If we factor preseason ONLY, Struble is the 5 and not 6th, and is 4th on left handed depth behind Lane, Math and Guhle in a LD pecking order and ahead of Xhekaj and Engstrom. Struble definitely has stepped up to the plate in his last few preseason games, more specifically his last one. This has left Mailloux, Engstrom, Barron and Xhekaj behind him in preseason performances. However, I do believe the coaches make decisions on overall performance leading back to last year and practice as well including intra squad, not just a couple preseason games. I recall last season Struble putting together 10 solid games on the bottom pair. He was given an increased role on the top pair and flopped in that game and was never used again higher up in the line up. Arguably his worst game of the season. Does that get factored in? On that same note, Mailloux played 24 minutes in a DET must win game with everything on the line and looked like a seasoned vet. Does MSL factor in that game or a meaningless preseason game more so? Much like Roy, who some have penciled in on the 2nd line even though he has been quiet in preseason , while all of Kappy, Barre B and Heinemen have been better in preseason. We factor in the entire equation and thats why Roy might be the best answer. I for one did believe 3 games ago Mailloux would force his way in, helping to balance out a very left heavy D but, given his lack of performance in his last 2 preseason games, coupled with Reinbacher going down for the season in Laval... his spot might now be with Engstrom in Laval to start on the top pair playing +22 minutes a night in all situations. I do believe Barron is making this team ONLY due to waiver eligibility and Mailloux not having his best 2 games last time out to force the situation. However, if factoring in his progression including LY, you would be hard pressed to have him behind Barron, considering he was used ahead of him for almost 40 games when playing together. I also think Xhekaj gets the nod vs Leafs, but neither he or Struble was used on the R side in all of preseason. Even with Guhle out. So... its anyones guess who gets the left side on the 3rd pair.

Theres no way they play Toronto with 11 forwards and 7 D.

This makes the most sense but for travel... Also, the best deterent for dirty shenanigans and taking liberties on our stars is a lethal powerplay. Fix the powerplay

Obviously he could of handled Pare a bit better.. after the no call on the play. But, how they handled the Greig not engaging after the blindside HiT, and then targeted Stutzle without actually finishing Stutzle off. I think we sent a clear message of an eye for an eye for no accountability . I wouldnt doubt the final game will have zero drama and be a boring affair. Of course I've been wrong before!

I got a different read on Xhekaj. I think these last two games have cemented his spot on the team opening night. He is willing to sacrifice himself for the team at all times. Im sure the team loves it and he wont be punished internally for it. Multiple Habs challenged Greig and he refused, even as Habs were cleanly targeting him he wouldnt engege. Xhekaj just casually reminded OTT they have stars on their team as well that can be targeted If Greig will and would not own up for his "head hunting" of Dach. Eventually he did and Dach settled it up.

Is there a deadline for euro signings? Can we keep Kapanen around for two months before cutting him and sending him to Europe?

But has been able too play 2 seasons vs men already for the most part, and faced adversity during them. The world isn't over quite yet for David...