Game 1: Ducks @ Canucks GDT pt II: Electric Boogaloo
 

Because we filled up the last one, and don't need the next one yet.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5d-vAx9s9B...s1600/Duck.jpg

FIRE MURRAY!!!

Jk, great win, and I like the way this roster looks so far. Hope to see Holland and Fowler in the lineup soon.

Just woke up about 2 hours ago, still pumped from the win last night. Kind of a weird game, but we still played pretty well. On to Calgary!

It's just one game. Damn near an exhibition game. Let's not read too much into it.

Ducks are the best team in the NHL and the 100% powerplay is sure to remain as such for 48 games.

Unbeatable. We might not ever lose again

So much sarcasm.

This was a huge positive. If we can lead the league on the PP again, watch out.

NHL Tonight doesn't have one play from the Ducks for their top 5 plays from opening night.

Glad to know things are back to normal....

I hope Holland doesnt play at the expense of Rakell. Also, need to allow less than three tomorrow night please. Better point coverage.

I don't get Fowler being out with "flu-like symptoms." Why the "like?" They're flu symptoms. That's it.

Especially when Canucks were laughably bad.

It sounds cooler.

Boudreau has been one of Rakell's most vocal fans. That being said, if you're expecting a coach to trust a 19 year old in his first game, you're dreaming. Unless a rookie is an absolute phenom, you're just not going to see that type of trust in the first game(especially when there was a shortened training camp and no pre-season games... Rakell hasn't had an opportunity to earn that type of trust). It would be even tougher for Rakell on the 4th line, because he isn't exactly surrounded by top end talent who could make up for any of his mistakes.

I think you have a tendency to jump to conclusions based on stats, because you're unable to see the player. In this case, I think you're jumping to a conclusion based on 10 minutes of ice time, but as bumperkisser said those were all even strength minutes, and that's actually pretty decent for a rookie in his first game. It certainly doesn't suggest Boudreau doesn't trust him. Just that he's easing him in, which is smart coaching.

Then, with all due respect, you made your point poorly. Holland may be the better choice for that spot, and I expect Holland will get a chance to show what he's capable of against Calgary. However, if Boudreau picks Rakell over Holland it's not going to be because Holland sucks. It will be because Rakell earned it in Boudreau's eyes. Suggesting that Holland would need to suck to lose it takes any credit away from Rakell.

Fun game. Not the best we can be but this group is making me hopeful.

Winnik was a great pick up if this play is the norm for him (not the two goals necessarily)

Palmieri was great in his opener. Upgrade over his play in Norfolk.

I think it's a sign of good things to come the way this team played together. Especially the third line.

Rakell wasn't stellar but he fit in as a professional. Pretty much what I expected out of him

What really excites me is that we scored 7 goals, with Bobby and Perry having mediocre games. If we can keep our third line as a scoring threat, while keeping a potent powerplay, I fully expect to make the playoffs this year.

I think palmieri is going to explode this year specially if he stays with perry and getz, and if ryan stays on 1st line and getz on point for pp... id have to assume palmeiri will be one of the trigger men on the 2nd unit.

Id be pretty pumped if winnick could put up 10/10 and stay + at the end of the season... so far pretty good start for him and his line mates.

Im high on rakell, and id love if he could become a solid face off guy and maybe shorthanded specialist this season that chips in from time to time. Wouldnt mind a 4th line of Holland Rakell Belesky... and if bonino isnt working out on 2nd line we could try holland and rakell there.

So what motivation Bruce have to keep him up? If he can`t handle it, then he have to go to the juniors, especially in this shortened season when every mistake is 2 times worse.

I made my guess just because he played the least minutes in the game (Ducks players only), also on even strenght. I`m not saying that 10 minutes are bad, not sure where you got that.
I was saying that, compared to others, he wasn`t really tested much. So i thought that if Bruce is limiting him in a decided game, Rakell will have much less minutes in a game that`s really tight. So, there`s no point for keeping him up if he plays few minutes a game, he needs more ice time, he`s only 19. So, i think that 4C role is Hollands to loose, even after the game.

Rakell - shifts by period

1 - 4 for 2:57 (average shift 0:44)
2 - 4 for 2:23 (average shift 0:35)
3 - 6 for 4:29 (average shift 0:44)

Dude, it was one game. If Rakell is going to earn Boudreau's trust, it's going to come over a period of time. Not a period into the first game he's ever played in the NHL.

As for Boudreau's motivation... how about winning hockey games? Or seeing how a young kid improves?

That's a contradiction. If there is no point in keeping Rakell up because he needs more ice time, why would we put Holland in the exact same situation?

Same here. He needs more game time. He improved significantly period to period.

1 That is, IF Rakell is better than Holland
2.A prospect can also improve in juniors, but getting the big minutes of play. I doubt that playing 4th line minutes in NHL is better than that.
3. Holland is 22 with his 2nd pro season. Rakell is 19 with only junior experience.

1) Rakell doesn't need to be better than Holland. He just needs to be a better player for the role.

2) It depends on the player. I don't think Rakell has a whole lot to gain by staying in the CHL. He plays a mature, professional style game which fits better in a professional league than the more free wheeling CHL style. The only real advantage in the CHL would be in allowing Rakell to grow into his body a bit more, and perhaps to focus on his offense.

3) So? Does that mean that minutes are less important for Holland? We're talking about a 4th line spot. 10-13 minutes at even strength is probably all we should expect. I suspect Rakell would end up getting more minutes on the PK, and Holland on the 2nd PP unit.

Also, I'm not even sure Holland and Rakell will end up competing directly for a spot. It could just as easily end up being someone like DSP who loses his spot to make room for Holland. Unless DSP steps up, it probably -should- be him.

I so agree. DSP belongs in Norfolk, and Holland belongs on the Ducks in my opinion.

Holland would still have to prove he can fill Devo's role better. No one is getting a spot just because they are a better prospect.