Not trying to hype him...lots of great practice players in the NHL who don't put up the numbers you'd think they should. Just watching him you could tell he's got a ton of skill and boy did he rip a nice shot over Lehtonen's shoulder. Skated really well too, perhaps there is less rust on him since he was over in the KHL.
Oh I know, it's more of a Stars board inside joke. You make a good point about playing in the KHL maybe giving him a leg up. He'll have to have more showings like that throughout camp to win a regular spot in the lineup.
They've grown accustomed to mediocre defense and think that it's actually good defense IMO.
I think Dallas is going to have a tough time having a team so small, especially the defense. Other than Rome and Fistric there isn't much size on the back end. Some very good puck movers but I'm not sure how well they're going to defend...I think its going to have to be the Kari Lehtonen show this year for the Stars to go anywhere.
it's not saying that his stats are bad because he was misused... he's saying that he was mis-used by being given zubov-like responsibilities when he's still stephane robidas.
They've grown accustomed to mediocre defense and think that it's actually good defense IMO.
This right here.
It's what drives me crazy over there. Don't tell me something is decent or good then they miss the playoffs for 5 years and make excuses as to why. The collapses are a symptom but the truth is this team hasn't had a good enough defense to be playoff worthy. Between that and a sporadic offense at times plus the inability to close out a game and you have a mediocre to bad team. It's epitomized by Robidas. Effort doesn't get you anywhere when little skill and poor decision making are the hallmarks of your play. In small dosages he's a bottom pairing defender who can't hurt your team much but when you put him out on the power play, penalty kill, or give him 20+ minutes and expect him to carry your team, that team is going to fail. He's not good enough for that role. Add in the sunshine pumping by the organization that's telling it's fans water isn't wet gets you their "analysis" which is abysmal.
I can only hope that Larsen, Daley, Dillon, Olesiak, and Goligoski can step it up this year so that Robidas goes to the back of the bus where he belongs.
Any idea when they'll announce the ratification and everything gets going??
Today in quotes seems to be the popular answer to that question .... even from Bob McKenzie.
No one knows for sure, but the general belief is it happens today.
Some potential RFA signings are already coming out. Bobbie Mac has Franson inking a 1 year deal with TOR, and Russo has MIN signing Palmieri to a 1 year, two-way contract.
The Goli interview pretty much covered only items we were already aware of. It's great to hear the players taking personal time all week long to get on the radio on do their part to pump up interest in the team.
