JC is an idiot and murphy is out

Putting Nylander on the top line with 19 and 88 is a bad idea. He is progressing really nicely on the 4th line learning the value of hard work and defensive responsibility. Putting him on that top line might be too much for him to handle right now, and considering how average Toews has been I think he would be in a bad position again.

I worry about Dach. He's big, has great reach, good hands, good passing but he's slow and out of position A LOT. At this point, I kind of think easing him in a bottom 6 role is a good idea. Wish we could trade him for Turcotte though honestly...I'd do it in a heartbeat.

I think it’s too soon to tell. The kid is still 18 years old and he is going to have those bad positioning moments and might have trouble adjusting to the pro speed of the game, but I really think he’ll be fine. He played good tonight, and I think he has a good chance of staying with us all season.

I think he'll be good, but as I've said all along, he's a 2C or 3C, he doesn't have the speed, IQ, or focus that Turcotte has. Turcotte is a 1C/2C lock, just a step ahead of Dach and can't help but solidfy my opinions the more I see of Dach. Again, not that a 2c/3C guy is bad by any means, but just reminds me so much of Strome.

Good opinions on both sides guys. Like where your heads are at. I was at the game last night and I’ll be honest, there’s some give and take with your opinions.

Firstly, i gotta agree with you Stan, I love where nylander is at! Him on the 4th line has taught him so much responsibility and he actually looks to be thriving. It says something that the bottom six are bigger producers than the top six (more on that in a sec), and I think nylander is helping in that regard. In fact, I’d argue that the bottom six lines are more set than the top six. The top six is kind of a mess and my only set solution is get cat and strome back together.

Second, I gotta agree with ChiHawk, as I have for months, regarding Dach. Yes he’s 18, yes he may adjust to different areas of the game eventually. However, tonight was actually not a good example of that. Sure he got his first goal, but it was hell of a lucky bounce when Vegas got caught puck watching. The rest of the game there was absolutely nothing he did. In fact, he was awful in the defensive zone, an area he was supposedly good in. Even though it’s only been two games, speed is absolutely a huge concern now. I don’t care how good his hands are or how big he may be, but his lack of speed easily means he can’t be a 1C in today’s NHL. Time and time again last night tried to deke through a dman only to be held off momentarily trying to go past them. These last two games haven’t actually impressed me as much as they’ve concerned me. He has shown he can take the punishment maybe, but he absolutely doesn’t look like a game changer whatsoever. As I’ve said before, I definitely think he stays with us, but not because he’s necessarily ready or makes us that much better, but rather cuz he’s forced on the team. Bowman’s job is depending on him.

Just some observations guys. I like the opinions a lot. I’d also love to see the young defensemen get their chances too! When it comes dach, we definitely need defenders (Stan), and those who will hold him to his draft position (ChiHawk and myself).