Quote:
Originally Posted by SLake
IMO, the best defenseman not named Suter or Weber the last two games for the Predators has been Teemu Laakso. Laakso has earned a spot in the top-6 and is looking very solid thus far.
Suter - Weber
Blum - Klein
Laakso - Hillen
(Josi)
I think we start with 6 D with Josi up, but injured. IMO, everyone else is sent down.
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I agree with most of that. I think they send josi down too though.
what is fun, and sad about preseason is seeing who handles the pressure of making the team. While Laakso and Hillen have just been steady enough to probably earn a spot, you see the pressure and nerves from ellis and Ekholm. I;m not talking about Ekholms trip, that is just hockey, it happens. I'm talking about the puck becoming a grenade on his stick, how he started to press, etc. Same with Ellis. You can see the talent, buit you can also see how silver needs to be shined.
I am guessing no one gets sent back til Sunday now. I think the travel and B2B games will get Sloan, Ellis, Bourque, etc another game on the road.
I would pencil the opening lineup like this right now:
Bergfors-Legwand-Wilson
Erat-Smith-SK
Hornquist-O'reilly-Halischuk
Spaling-Smithson-Tootoo
Stortini
6-20
7-8
Laakso-Hillen
peks
lindback
I think if Fisher is able to go, Stortini to Mil and O'reilly to 13th forward. I also think Fisher then centers Spaling and Hornquist and Halischuck moves to checking/energy line) I think Geoffrion goes to Milwaukee and is first call up with bourque, (who I liked last night) is second.