Absolutely love the entire Utica team being in there hahaha

I'd honestly swap McLeod and Tatar's positions straight up. Being good at faceoffs doesn't make up for getting caved in at 5 on 5.
Think you could swap Smith and Kuokkanen's places as well.
Overall decent, agree with the rest.



Especially with Blackwood.

Feels like Zacha has finally worn out his welcome. Contract negotiations will be interesting

I figured someone would say something about McLeod.
I personally have been really impressed with him - he has accepted his role and improved at it.

Last year, he was still trying to stick-handle his way through guys. You could see he still wanted to be offensive center.
This year, he gets rid of it quickly. Has really matured.

Tatar has certainly improved as year as progressed, but I think he is at times a bit of a selfish player and that always kind of bothers me.

Its only been around 15-20 games where he has fallen off (with two long breaks in there).
But he has got to find his game in 2nd half.
That turnover last night was gut-wrenching.
It was exact type of play that lead to Bratt's benching vs Calgary...so I imagine Lindy is on him.

Tatar better, he gets most of his even strength starts in offensive zone (63%) and been given time with Hughes and Hischier on the top two lines.

Compared to Mcleod with only (25%) starts in the offensive zone and plays on the 4th line.

Mcleod only has 8 fewer points than Tatar playing harder minutes. At least when Mcleod isn't putting up points he is hitting, winning faceoffs, back-checking, killing penalties, etc. When Tatar isn't putting up points, what he holds on to the puck nicely.

Outside of Hughes, Hischier, and Bratt; Mcleod, Bastian, and Vesey are the only reason I still watch this team.

He knows his role & plays to his identity. It took him sometimes to adjust after being an offensive force at times in juniors. McLeod seems to have found his way & still has room/time to grow. He certainly has the size and skating talent to be a force on PK and checking role. Not sure he has the hands of John Madden, but if he can be the same kind of player Mads was, Im sure all NJ fans would rejoice. That's winning hockey right there.

I've been one of his most patient supporters ... but his inconsistencies at this point in his career can no longer be chalked up to youth. I think we all need to see a full season of consistent play from Zacha for him to remain a core piece. Otherwise, it may be time he gets a fresh start. So much talent ...

I agree...but its a little early. His inconsistencies are also coming when schedule and roster have been inconsistent. I don't think I'd move him until off season unless the market gets desperate (like Boston may get itchy for another big Czech center).

Agreed, Id give him another year, unless there is an offer you can't refuse.

Team still has development time ahead, so trading for a strong package of prospects and/or picks could still fit their time line.

Id have a hard time establishing his faor value these days. Wonder what they could get for him

Probably really depends if teams view him as a winger or as a center.

As a center, maybe somewhere between what we see offered for Dylan Strome and what Habs paid for Dvorak?

I think you'd have to seriously look at the Dvorak package ... a 22 first could be a home run & the extra 2nd in 24 could provide another useful piece down the road. Tough call.

If he shows signs of life in his next 20 games, he should return that.
Of course then, none of us will want to trade him.

I think Tatar and Vesey should be a little higher

Tough year for some of our young players.

Lol ... true, absolutely true. Looked better tonight for sure