Not trying to be a bandwagon jumper by any means, but if the Sabres miss the playoffs this season or exit early, I'm hoping the Preds do well/ make it to the SCF. Goose was a fan favorite and always was one of our best competitors come playoff time. He deserves it after the career he's had
Goose had a good game tonight. Won a few key draws, used his reach, and played well along the boards. Simple game. Oh yea, he also got an assist tonight. Could have had another.
if radulov comes back, these are my lines. keep in mind, someone that has been impressive will simply be out.. just too much depth (good problem to have)
sk fisher erat
radulov legwand ak
wilson smith hornqvist
halischuk gaustad tootoo
send bourque down.. yip and spaling are the scratches
I think Radulov is going to be rejoining this team. The question I have for everyone is what do we do with the bottom two lines?
I think it is obvious we have the sheer firepower to roll three scoring lines. Do you put Smith, Gaustad, or Spaling in as that third line center?
If it is Gaustad or Spaling, does this make Smith the scratch?
Lastly, Borque vs. Halischuk. Who gets the lineup spot as a 4th line winger?
Gaustad plays for sure because of faceoffs anad PKs but as to whether he's better on the third or 4th I can't say. Probably Spals on the third and Gaustad on 4th at ES
Smith is scratched. He hasnt done much in a long time and seems to have hit the college-rookie wall.
Halischuk. When two players are otherwise abouit equal, go with experience.
Gaustad plays for sure because of faceoffs anad PKs but as to whether he's better on the third or 4th I can't say. Probably Spals on the third and Gaustad on 4th at ES
Smith is scratched. He hasnt done much in a long time and seems to have hit the college-rookie wall.
Halischuk. When two players are otherwise abouit equal, go with experience.
I tend to agree with this. Spaling seems to be better offensively than Gaustad, and he has some chemistry with Hornqvist, Tootoo, and wilson. Still, Gaustad has already racked up a couple of assists in his brief tenure with the Preds. Maybe he adds more defensive prowess to that third line and deserves it over Spals?
Unsure.
Smith is an enigma. Watching him play, I like what I see. He has clearly hit a wall. Going from 35 games to a full preseason, training camp, and now 70+ games is a bit much for a young player. Still, the talent, skills, and motivation is there. I think he is a matchup player. If you need some extra offense or one of your top 6-9 goes down, he is a more than adequate replacement. This is something we have never had before.
Halischuk vs. Borque. Both players have speed. Both players hit. Both players are reasonably good with the back check. Hals has a penchant for scoring dirty goals with minimal minutes, but Borque has something about him that makes you want him in the lineup. I said last year that Hali was a better and younger Joel ward. I stick by that statement. I think you start Hali, and put Borque on the bench. However, both can make a case for starting. There emergence plus the depth on the farm with guys like Latta, Beck, Mueller, makes me more inclined to say it is going to be the last season of Jordin Tootoo as a predator (even with his remarkably good offensive season).
if radulov comes back, these are my lines. keep in mind, someone that has been impressive will simply be out.. just too much depth (good problem to have)
sk fisher erat
radulov legwand ak
wilson smith hornqvist
halischuk gaustad tootoo
send bourque down.. yip and spaling are the scratches
agreed but if rads came back I don't see where bourque would fit.. better to send him down than just let him sit the rest of the year and playoffs. we would have plenty of depth
I tend to agree with this. Spaling seems to be better offensively than Gaustad, and he has some chemistry with Hornqvist, Tootoo, and wilson. Still, Gaustad has already racked up a couple of assists in his brief tenure with the Preds. Maybe he adds more defensive prowess to that third line and deserves it over Spals?
Unsure.
Smith is an enigma. Watching him play, I like what I see. He has clearly hit a wall. Going from 35 games to a full preseason, training camp, and now 70+ games is a bit much for a young player. Still, the talent, skills, and motivation is there. I think he is a matchup player. If you need some extra offense or one of your top 6-9 goes down, he is a more than adequate replacement. This is something we have never had before.
Halischuk vs. Borque. Both players have speed. Both players hit. Both players are reasonably good with the back check. Hals has a penchant for scoring dirty goals with minimal minutes, but Borque has something about him that makes you want him in the lineup. I said last year that Hali was a better and younger Joel ward. I stick by that statement. I think you start Hali, and put Borque on the bench. However, both can make a case for starting. There emergence plus the depth on the farm with guys like Latta, Beck, Mueller, makes me more inclined to say it is going to be the last season of Jordin Tootoo as a predator (even with his remarkably good offensive season).
if anything, its his good offensive numbers that might convince someone else to pay him north of 2 mil, which we can't and shouldn't pay for him...
if anything, its his good offensive numbers that might convince someone else to pay him north of 2 mil, which we can't and shouldn't pay for him...
I agree, and I can't believe what I'm about to say. I think Tootoo's spot should go to someone else. He is effective at being a pest, but lately has tons of turnovers and just isn't looking like a player we need in the future. I was hoping he'd get hot again, but he's starting to become invisible. Sucks for him, this fanbase sure will miss him.
i am a Devils fan coming in peace. rooting for you guys in the west. my fave west team, love the franchise and players.
buddies got me a nashville trikot as well...
but, i cant get track of the games...being a german i watch all devils games and because of the time-switch, the games are at night...hard to follow more than the Devils games then...
so, since i want to watch all the POs games from Nash, i wanna get some more team information...
can someone give me head ups about the actual line combinations? the recent drafts and prospects? short player-evaluation so far (good/bad, pros/cons) and maybe a update about the good actual AHL rookies and prospects to pop up in near future?
would be much appreciated!
thanks a lot and all the best for the POs, guys!
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"By the age of 18, the average American has witnessed 200,000 acts of violence on television, most of them occurring during Game 1 of the NHL playoff series."
Trotz is 5 wins away from 500, 6 wins away from tying Pat Burns in all time wins
Doing the math, let's say Radulov were to come back on the 15th. Prorating his 985,000 salary over a year, he would be about a 4-5 million dollar guy.
Based on sportsclubstats.com 6 more pts. should make the Preds a lock for the playoffs. or a 21% win percentage.
For a true lock, 18 points for the magic number. Combination of Preds points won and Sharks points lost. (If my Math is right..... Sharks have to make up 12 pts. in 15 games.....)
