Broken Ankles

From Marty Biron on the Instigators today: UFA Targets 1. Anton Forsberg – Ottawa, 29 years old, 2. Francouz – Colorado, 32 years old, not a ton of miles. 3. Spencer Martin – Vancouver, 27 years old; Could be in AHL with Levi or Portillo. Trade targets 1. Husso, 27 (StL) 2. SEMYON VARLAMOV, NYI (32) 3. Raanta (32) injury issues. 4. Talbot (option from Duffer) Stay away from Georgiev & Samsonov

Exactly what should happen to the face our Defense this summer. Joki and Dahlin as a pair makes no sense. Imagine how much better Joki will be as a 3rd pairing (not facing top lines) and with a bigger stay at home defender as his partner. And how much better Dahlin will be with a Numminen type. I wouldn't be surprised if Mitts is traded to obtain this #2 defender in the off-season.

I agree with bottom 3. He has great Corsi/possession numbers and could be a Larsson addition (LW) with Kyle and Zemgus on the 4th line. He's shown flashes of brilliance (thinking of his goal in Anaheim in October) but mostly just responsible play with low goal scoring ability which translates into a lower AAV, which is what you want on the 4th anyway.

Jankowski/Biro are available now. Waive Bjork and Eakin and call up Murray. It’s highly unlikely either are picked up, so they could be assigned to Roch. Now the Merks aren’t imploding.

Harrington, Lance or Howard/Jeremy needs to ask Donny why he continues with this futile 4th line. Just no reason for it.

Myopic Wraith An homage to our very own Ghost in attendance this afternoon.

All four goalies played. Nedeljkovic started and finished the game. Matthews line had 14 points, Marner with 4 goals. Detroit scored 4 in the first 5 minutes of the third to make it 7-6. With all the momentum they gave up a shorty to fall down 8-6. I fast forwarded the second period to watch the intermission but watched the entire third as it was so entertaining. The Leaves do not have an answer in net. Unless they can score 10 in multiple playoff games, I doubt they advance very far.

He needs to play well tonight so that meatballs reconsiders the joki-Dahlin pairing.

+1. Just abhorrent. I’ve been on the replace the 4th line for a few weeks, and last night set me over the edge. At what point does the coaching staff start getting the blame for the product on the ice, and the combinations that are not working?

Berube hasn’t played an NHL game in 4 years. Ya think the objective is to get shots on net. Or not.

Fourth line should be benched unless it’s a PK situation. They add no value. The second line is pitching in on chances. Hopefully Mitts and his line steps it up in the second. Shake off the rust.

I appreciate @The Ghost of Yuri positive spin on Bjork, but dude lacks talent and instinct. The first goal against was his inability to get a puck deep with Dahlin rushing on the wing. Yeah blame others for not back checking but it started with Bjork losing the puck. I would rather have Drake in there over this guy. Toker had some nice saves when they were needed but someone needs tell this guy to stay in the crease. He leaves the paint with the frequency of a Center fearing a three second violation in basketball. The Isles broadcast team mentioned his sliding on more than one occasion. Loved young Rasmus mixing it up with Martin in the O zone and coming away with puck. Nice to see Vic get off the “schneid” but the puck did not have the velocity or accuracy we are used to seeing from him when straight. Still not healed. Jeff continues to play well. No points but making plays. Butch Goring referenced multiple times how different a player he is this year. “Motivated” was his description.

Game day or game night? Apparently to lazy to update the template. SMH.

Mount (Royal) Wildfire. No excuses, crush them.

Brilliance….except your take on the biggest disappointment. Sounds so Tammy Wynette “Stand by your Man”. Be Destiny’s Child “Independent Women”.

Joki and Dahlin still thing? Mulish Ways Donnie.

Left handed - Throw a football and baseball with my left, shoot left in basketball, throw darts with the left. Shoot right in hockey and golf right too. Horrible at tennis, but when I tried, left. No Canadian lineage. Seinfeld - also Left handed.

No words.

Adams is already 5 chapters in to Dr. Leo Marvins book. It’s called ‘Baby Steps’.

Good stuff. Thank you for sharing. The corollary to the rule about UFA's is to make sure the few that you do select can contribute, especially come the Playoffs. If you assume 16% then that is ~ 4 players on the team. I would argue that David Perron, Tyler Bozak and Pat Maroon were essential to the St. Louis Blues Cup run. Where as our stable of UFA's Caggiula, Vinnie, Anderson and Eakin are not in the same class. It's essential for Adams to add a player or two next season that can and will contribute the the overall success of the team.

Love either of the cap casualties suggested. We could offer a ton in lower AAV value for either. No chance they move Whitecloud. He must have been asked for in the trade itself no? Why not Martinez for Miller and 50% retained? Martinez checks all the boxes for a younger D partner. Then in the offseason - overpay for Manson, and you have: Dahlin/Martinez Power/Manson Muel/Joki Pskyk and Bryson are 7/8

Interesting comment about Levi. Specifically he thinks he will sign and play this season. One thing for a forum like us to speculate on that and another for a head coach to say it.

FU Robin! Way to go Tuch!

Wait Fitzgerald didn’t want to fight Max? Doubt Emily had that right.