Iron Crotch

Dumping Marcel Dareus' monster contract was a nice move. And, it gave us the cap flexibility to pick up a much needed starting WR and pay him going forward if we so choose. I like the way Beane is methodically putting together this team. And, we still have two first- and two second-round picks in next year's draft.

I thought that was some boring hockey to be honest. But,the outcome is all that matters. Needed a regulation win and got one. The team is maybe getting a little more comfortable with the new system. And, the new staff is sorting thorugh personnel decisions and figuring out which guys should play and which guys should sit (plant Beaulieu in the press box).

Arguably the most impressive US player at the U-17 World Cup, Andrew Carlton, plays for the Atlanta United academy team. I can't imagine some European clubs won't be after him in the near future.

Yeah, it was a 3-way race between Sam, Sam, and Leon. No one was clearly ahead of the other. I always liked Draisaitl, but the board coalesced around Reinhart since everyone claimed he had the best "hockey IQ" (which I've always thought means: not very fast, not very physical, but scores anyway). That draft was also when everyone first freaked out above pull-ups at the combine!

I'd like to see Beaulieu sit for a while.

Huge minutes for Risto (29:40) and Scandella (27:23) and McCabe (23:43). All other defensemen 16:08 or less. I didn't watch the whole game, but McCabe looked really good on the left side.

I turned the game on when everyone else turned it off. All I saw this evening was domination (tuned in part way through the 3rd). :)

USA down 2-0 early against England in the Quarterfinals of the U-17 World Cup. We're actually getting a lot of chances. But, not much shooting luck (shot off the crossbar, etc.). And, the USA defense looks a little suspect.

Game tonight?

The only guy on the injury list who intrigues me is Nylander. Hopefully he comes back soon.

We have no depth other than a couple of wingers who might make good 2nd-4th line NHLers. GMTM had picks all over the place, but he squandered a lot of them away in trades. Counterfactual exercise: would we be better off right now minus ROR but with JT Compher and Nikita Zadorov on the roster? (both getting regular minutes for the Avs)

I remember a select few of us being anti-tank around here (you, D4rk, a few others). This site was petty grim back then.

Giving up a 1st for an average goaltender was by far the worst move GMTM made. Yeah, he overpaid for most of the moves he made. But, the opposite extreme was Darcy who wouldn't pull the trigger on any move. I have no delusions about this team magically getting better via trade. But, to get anyone who can make a difference we need to trade a "name" player like Samson or Risto. We've had a terrible team for years now. Jack is obviously the guy we'll build around. I like ROR too because he can play in all phases of the game and good 2-way centers are hard to find. Most other guys are expendable in my book.

I consider Jack and ROR as the two centers I'd like to keep. Although on an elite team ROR may slot in as a 3rd line center. I'd trade Samson in a second if he could get us a good return.

I'd totally consider moving one or both. The only guys who can bring a big return are players like this. One thing I'll give GMTM is he wasn't afraid to pull the trigger on a "wow" sort of trade (for better or worse).

We don't have enough good players. Simple as that. Different coaches, different system, same results. I still subscribe to the old "build down the middle" theory. I like our top-2 centers. Our goaltending is not bad, but not great - pretty average. But, we're woeful on defense.

I've been all over his case on this board for quite a while. He's a drifter on a team full of drifters from what I've seen.

*sigh*

I'd settle for a completed neutral zone pass or two.

I WILL HAVE... CHICKEN TENDERS AND TATER TOTS!

Kane has been good. I think he gets fired up whenever he plays Vancouver (his home town).

I don't hate Tennyson's game as much as I should. Beaulieu on the other hand...

Time for a power play goal from Reinhart.

That's interference, but when we dump the puck into the 'nucks zone and our guys get ridden out of the play, that's okay. Hmmmm.

So much interference on the dump in plays (always my pet peeve)...