Heika already mentioned lines are jumbled since Roy and Ryder are not skating (they both have already received extra maintenance days previously so I wouldn't be too concerned).
However, he did say Fraser skated mostly at RW with Smith and Eriksson. Since Eriksson is clearly not going to play center in a game, and Fraser is definitely not going to push Eriksson into the pressbox, I think you could speculate Fraser is the extra forward right now rather than being a game player.
Quote:
Mike Heika @MikeHeika
Lines today if you want to speculate:
Morrow-Benn-Jagr.
Smith-Eriksson-Fraser.
Rousell-Eakin-morrow/Jagr.
Nystrom-Fiddler-Garbutt.
They obviously only had 11 forwards which is the reason Jagr and Morrow had to rotate on the 3rd line .... just in case someone fails to realize that.
Also interesting to see the practice d pairs with Daley out and Benn added. Gully broke up the pairs to put one bigger guy with each of his undersized d-men. Hopefully spreading around the heft will help these guys win some more battles in their own end.
Goligoski-Rome could be painful, but the only person I'd trust Goose with is Dillon. And Robidas-Dillon has been a great pairing. I hate the guy but I have to admit Robidas has looked a lot better the past 5 games or so.
Also interesting to see the practice d pairs with Daley out and Benn added. Gully broke up the pairs to put one bigger guy with each of his undersized d-men. Hopefully spreading around the heft will help these guys win some more battles in their own end.
I think you could also speculate Larsen is headed to the bench. Gulutzan was a fan of the Benn-Daley pair when he was up, and Larsen is skating with Benn right now.
Gulutzan probably belongs with a guy like Rome so it makes some sense to break up Daley and Rome to allow Goli to play with a bigger partner.
Unless the plan is to try out Larsen with Daley, I'd assume Larsen goes back to being a healthy scratch based on these pairs in practice.
Obviously Daley's health would dictate how soon that occurred.
I don't think it neccesarily means that. They might just be done with Goose-Larsen pairing (as they should be).
Personally I think Daley-Larsen and Goose-Rome is a more defensively responsible set than the former. Daley-Rome also brings no offensive play, putting Larsen with Daley provides some threat there. And while they may be 2 small D-men, Daley is our best defender and is the one anchor who can get away with not playing with a bigger guy.
I don't think it neccesarily means that. They might just be done with Goose-Larsen pairing (as they should be).
Personally I think Daley-Larsen and Goose-Rome is a more defensively responsible set than the former. Daley-Rome also brings no offensive play, putting Larsen with Daley provides some threat there. And while they may be 2 small D-men, Daley is our best defender and is the one anchor who can get away with not playing with a bigger guy.
The only thing against this argument is when is the last time Daley played LD. It may not be that big of deal, but I can't think of the last time he wasn't at RD.
I think Gulutzan has already proven he'd prefer Daley as the top option for playing his offside.
If they were going to play Daley with a more offensive partner, I'd expect to see a Goligoski-Daley pair ... allowing Larsen to play RD with Rome.
The only thing against this argument is when is the last time Daley played LD. It may not be that big of deal, but I can't think of the last time he wasn't at RD.
I think Gulutzan has already proven he'd prefer Daley as the top option for playing his offside.
If they were going to play Daley with a more offensive partner, I'd expect to see a Goligoski-Daley pair ... allowing Larsen to play RD with Rome.
Is Rome an LD? I never checked.
That's a good point. If Daley is going to play RD, then your theory makes sense.
The guy potted 37 goals last year in the AHL, he has a really good shot and plays a two-way game and he is not a small dude. Exciting player to watch.
Ok, so you would sit out Ryder who had 35 goals last year in the NHL for Fraser? I note that Fraser is soon to be 23 years old, so he is not some 17 year old phenom who is going to lead the Stars back to the promised land.
I guess I don't understand the buzz, having never seen him play.
Ok, so you would sit out Ryder who had 35 goals last year in the NHL for Fraser? I note that Fraser is soon to be 23 years old, so he is not some 17 year old phenom who is going to lead the Stars back to the promised land.
I guess I don't understand the buzz, having never seen him play.
The point is Ryder probably won't be here next season and Fraser has done all that's been asked of him at every level and produced. He's always been a guy with a good shot but there were questions about his skating and his defense which he has addressed. 23 is not unusual for a rookie so his age shouldn't be an issue.
Just for comparison sake:
James Neal's one AHL season was 18 goals, 19 assists = 37 points in 62 games in Iowa
Loui Eriksson 32 goals, 29 assists = 60 points in 78 games in Iowa
Cody Eakin 13 goals, 14 assists = 27 points in 43 games in Hershey
Gustov Nyquist 17 goals, 28 assists = 45 points in 48 games in Grand Rapids
Matt Fraser 37 goals, 18 assists = 55 points in 73 games in Texas
Fraser is in line with lots of guys' rookie years. He's a good prospect and it's time to see if he's got what it takes to replace Ryder. That's why guys are interested in him.
Ok, so you would sit out Ryder who had 35 goals last year in the NHL for Fraser? I note that Fraser is soon to be 23 years old, so he is not some 17 year old phenom who is going to lead the Stars back to the promised land.
I guess I don't understand the buzz, having never seen him play.
No one is saying to sit Ryder for Fraser... If anything, it'd be to trade Ryder. But they both fit right now so why bother?
minus 13 last year. his career stats suggest that he is more in the minus than in the plus.
I am not living or dying on a plus minus stat at all - just pointing out what it is.
He's improved defensively quite a bit. The Stars directed him to upgrade that part of his game and he has.
Quote:
Originally Posted by starryder
Ok, so you would sit out Ryder who had 35 goals last year in the NHL for Fraser? I note that Fraser is soon to be 23 years old, so he is not some 17 year old phenom who is going to lead the Stars back to the promised land.
I guess I don't understand the buzz, having never seen him play.
Ryder isn't going to sit for Fraser, but Fraser is Ryder's replacement. Ryder belongs on a contending team that can use him in the playoffs. He's not in the Stars' long-term plans. I realize your primary allegiance is to Ryder. Ours is to the Stars. If you like the way Ryder plays you'll certainly like the way Fraser plays.
minus 13 last year. his career stats suggest that he is more in the minus than in the plus.
I am not living or dying on a plus minus stat at all - just pointing out what it is.
Texas was brutally defensive last year. Their system was pure run and gun, every goalie was below .900 SV%. Fraser wasn't good defensively and its the reason he didn't get a call up last year. He's made big strides this year.
I wonder what sparked the major turnaround....I mean, tops in the entire league?
Who saw that coming?
The vets hated the last coach (forgot his name) and were threatening to not re-sign. He had zero accountability in the locker room, and ran practice like a bantam level coach.
The vets hated the last coach (forgot his name) and were threatening to not re-sign. He had zero accountability in the locker room, and ran practice like a bantam level coach.
Jeff Pyle. Dude was completely opposite on everything Joe was going for.
__________________
★ #14 - #19 - #56 ★
Dallas Stars - Arsenal FC - FC Dallas - Alabama Crimson Tide - Kentucky Wildcats - SMU Mustangs Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs - 1997 to 2011 - WPHL Champions 1998, 1999, 2000 - CHL Champions 2011
