Glad we got an update, although it's bad news. Maybe it isn't as bad as we think though for Manny, he could still make a full recovery. Here's hoping for the guy.
Anyways.. LaPierre or Hodgson now, those are our 2 options. Personally, I think it'd be silly NOT to try Hodgson at this point. I do agree though that LaPierre may be a better choice.
In 2006, Carolina lost Eric Cole for the entire playoff minus the last two games, Edmonton lost their number 1 goalie on the same playoff series as well and it push the Hurricanes to game 7. This year Pittsburgh lost Crosby and Malkin and still able to content for the playoff so far, if those teams can deal with injury and still able to compete, I really don't think why we cannot. We are first in the NHL for a reason.
In fact, the team would most likely play a lot better so they can win the cup for Malhotra!
Horrible loss to the team. Hopefully he can regain enough vision that he'll be able to return next year without any issues. Not that anyone can easily replace what Manny brings on and off the ice but I'm hoping that Lapierre can at least assume a greater role on the 3rd line. Hopefully the boys can pull together and "Do it for Manny".
In 2006, Carolina lost Eric Cole for the entire playoff minus the last two games, Edmonton lost their number 1 goalie on the same playoff series as well and it push the Hurricanes to game 7. This year Pittsburgh lost Crosby and Malkin and still able to content for the playoff so far, if those teams can deal with injury and still able to compete, I really don't think why we cannot. We are first in the NHL for a reason.
Don't think anybody is suggesting the team can no longer compete...just that the team is not as good without Malhotra in the lineup. Everything just got a little bit harder for them.
Huge loss, but hopefully the other guys can step up. The depth is there. Higgins is looking like a huge addition now, even though it was hard to see how he fit in at the deadline.
I stayed out of this thread for a few days because there were a few people unable to see the clear hints within the first 24-48 hours that Malhotra wouldn't be back this year, which was quite frustrating. Now that its official, hopefully Manny can recover enough to be back next season or even more importantly lead a normal life.
Time for Lappy, Bolduc and or Hodgson to grab this and run with it. I wonder if they can have Manny on the bench for the duration and playoffs? That possible? Flying probably isn't a good thing for his eye with all the pressure changes.
I'm going to try and look at this glass half full but it feels like there was a death in family right now. Just awful news.
But anyways, hopefully the boys learned a thing or two about defensive hockey and PK from Manny during his 6 months with the team. Lapierre moves up to a 3rd line role, he was a monster for the Habs last year.
AV's going to have to re-adjust what type of bottom six he wants moving forward. The idea of a third line 'shutdown' line is out the window, IMO. I think we'll see more of a balance between lines 3 and 4 in terms of personnel and ice time. You can't just hand Malhotra's minutes over to Lapierre and expect him to do the job.
AV's going to have to re-adjust what type of bottom six he wants moving forward. The idea of a third line 'shutdown' line is out the window, IMO. I think we'll see more of a balance between lines 3 and 4 in terms of personnel and ice time. You can't just hand Malhotra's minutes over to Lapierre and expect him to do the job.
We will see if AV is as good a coach as some think now, that is for sure...
Sure didn't see this coming after he got the puck in the face...hope he gets well soon. It sucks to lose possibly the best 3rd-line centre in the league, his face-off abilities and leadership skills will bee sorely missed in the playoffs. Time to see what Hodgson can do in a 3rd-line role?
Sure didn't see this coming after he got the puck in the face...hope he gets well soon. It sucks to lose possibly the best 3rd-line centre in the league, his face-off abilities and leadership skills will bee sorely missed in the playoffs. Time to see what Hodgson can do in a 3rd-line role?
Lapierre slots up while Hodgson or Bolduc (PUKE...) gets the 4th line role I suppose.
