I think the hatred for David Quinn was pretty unfair, but one thing he did that can hopefully be universally liked (even in retrospect), is whenever the kids were struggling in the top 6, he'd throw them all on a line until they got going again. And I think that really needs to happen now.
It's definitely not fair to blame all the second line struggles on Kakko, but him doing literally nothing opens up the defense to more openly double team Panarin and/or Strome. This line seems to always prefer a work horse on it to get going (Fast, Blackwell, etc), so I think either Blais or Goodrow would work here. For now, I went with Blais, though hopefully the coaching staff gets this guy some rear view mirrors (or a GPS, as Sam Rosen called it haha) so he can stop bulldozing his own teammates... this can hopefully get Blais going again how he was in preseason/early season. I think once this guy gets more offensive confidence, he's really going to light it up
Play the 3rd line in sheltered minutes, mostly offensive zone time, to get all their confidences back up. Long term and in the playoffs I think you want both Laf and Kakko in the top 6, but right now it's fairly miserable out there with them infecting other lines. I know Laf has been in the bottom six for a few games, but Kakko is definitely dragging down the second line. Hopefully they can all help each other as they have in the past.
As an alternate, maybe putting Kreider on the RW with Panarin and Strome can be an "easier" solution... then Zibanejad plays with the kids, and Chytil plays with Blais and Goodrow (who can hopefully shield Chytil from Blais lmfao...)
As much as I'd love to say bench Hunt and start Gauthier, there's got to be something really wrong there for him to continue to ride the bench. I don't particularly love Hunt, but I'm going to trust management on this one
thats literally what we've been doing with laf chytil blais.
if i was drury id do what sjs is doing with eklund rn, and loan him to europe.
He's in a contract year... that would be silly. Would've made more sense last year if it was necessary, but too late now. Eklund is also 18, it's pretty different since Kakko has already played two years here and will be 21 in February. And obviously "we" aren't having "The Kid Line" with Laf-Chytil-Blais since Kakko isn't on it haha...
He's in a contract year... that would be silly. Would've made more sense last year if it was necessary, but too late now. Eklund is also 18, it's pretty different since Kakko has already played two years here and will be 21 in February. And obviously "we" aren't having "The Kid Line" with Laf-Chytil-Blais since Kakko isn't on it haha...
so what, just leave him? i have a hard time seeing why putting him with laf and chytil would fix anything lol
Unpopular opinion: BOTH Kakko and Lafreniere should be getting reps in Hartford.
This could also help them out. I'd rather see NYR try to give them both sheltered minutes before this happens, though. Laf started so well, tough to see right now. Wonder if Kakko is even 100% healthy
broadwayblue_89 a aimé ceci.
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