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Geoff

@geoffm777.bsky.social

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Geoff @geoffm777.bsky.social · 1h

Totally need a #1 PP.. and if you’re going to be dressing Laine your unit is the way to go.. but personally I think the Habs are better without him.
Their PP can be as effective without him.. & their 5v5 significantly better.

Eat 50% and deal him if you at all can.. else your approach.

Geoff @geoffm777.bsky.social · 3h

With your new shiny goalie pulled for good measure.

Don't know how Yzerman is still employed, not so easy when you don't have Brisebois doing the work for you :)

Geoff @geoffm777.bsky.social · 3h

And I think they hope Xhekaj can grow into a solid 3rd pair guy.. really don't think they deal him, especially with his brother on the way, the need to protect Hutson/Demidov, and the series they just had vs. WSH.

But for sure something will have to give, actually a few things.

Geoff @geoffm777.bsky.social · 3h

Embarrassment of riches to be sure.

But even Engstrom, to me will be a top4.. no room unless one of Ghule, Hutson, Dobson or Reinbacher goes.

I like Engstrom as insurance right now (Reinbacher health, Hutson contract).. but if all that resolves itself, same situation as Matheson soon enough.

Geoff @geoffm777.bsky.social · 4h

Dobes is a stud.. curious to see how the Monty/Dobes/Fowler trio plays out.

Sadly goalies don't often bring much of a return, but I think those are 3 NHL starter-level goalies in 2-3 yrs.

Geoff @geoffm777.bsky.social · 4h

That's ok.. let's not make STL look too bad this early :)

Geoff @geoffm777.bsky.social · 4h

Us having 5 goals with neither Suzuki, Caufield, Hutson or Demidov on particularly impressive nights.. is something.

Ok this is Detroit, but still.

Geoff @geoffm777.bsky.social · 4h

I really hope you're right, but sadly I don't think you are.

I don't see who sends a high end fwd for a rental either.. teams loading up usually do it with picks. His value would have been maximized with a sign&trade & dealt during the summer like Dobson.

But again, would love for you to be right

Geoff @geoffm777.bsky.social · 4h

Before that play had missed on every one of the about 8 great scoring chances he's had this season, just fighting the puck.

However doing all the small things right, hits, puck battles, even a faceoff here & there.. his best start by far IMO. If his stick joins the party, watch out :)

Geoff @geoffm777.bsky.social · 4h

You honestly think they deal Matheson if they're in the mix?
I'd put the odds of that at zero personally.

Or are you saying they'll be far enough out of the hunt that Kent starts unloading?

Geoff @geoffm777.bsky.social · 4h

Looking like a rout in the making.. but Dobes will have low-key made that possible.
Several really solid saves along the way, could have been a very different game.

Geoff @geoffm777.bsky.social · 4h

Agree him being a bottom pair doesn't seem realistic.. problem is asset mgmt wise is he's now a UFA at year end.
He either walks for nothing.. or we re-sign him, and he blocks Struble, Engstrom & Reinbacher.

We're screwed either way.

Geoff @geoffm777.bsky.social · 4h

I really doubt it.. but if so, whoever is onboard with this just has to confirm they're fine with losing Xhekaj.

My point is a choice needs to be made, so the keep Matheson crowd can just say who goes then.. curious to know.

Geoff @geoffm777.bsky.social · 4h

And they've been hemmed in their zone for looong shifts too.. the other two are barely, just barely, able to keep that line even despite Laine.

How long can that last...

Geoff @geoffm777.bsky.social · 5h

Again.. there's only room for him if:
- Reinbacher is dealt
- Hutson is dealt
- Xhekaj is dealt is Matheson is willing to play bottom pair, at bottom pair salary

So which is it?

Geoff @geoffm777.bsky.social · 10h

Not surprising, but too bad.. Marty being Marty, likes consistency.

Not confident for tonight, though I consider it an advantage having already broken the ice while DET hasn’t.
Quick start hopefully.

Geoff @geoffm777.bsky.social · 10h

Wondering if Veleno comes in as they don’t want Dach in a back to back this early… would be non-drama inducing way to address some of the issues they had on night 1.

That, Demidov on the 1st PP, and Struble in for Xhekaj so everyone feels involved early (incl Dobes).. would make me happy.

Geoff @geoffm777.bsky.social · 10h

No but still.. as you said.

I mean having Laine in the same shot is just icing on the cake.. there is no worse look. :)

Anyway.. overall not worried on D, F is another story.. much for Marty, and Kent, to figure out.

Geoff @geoffm777.bsky.social · 11h

Any forward can do that.. hell I wish Laine would stop trying himself! ;)

But the faceoffs & defensive responsibilities of a center are different for the C.. and it happens Dach struggles at both.

At the very least while tries to regain his footing.. W would be easier on him IMO.

Geoff @geoffm777.bsky.social · 11h

Saw a similar comment made about him in preseason & someone mentioned that coming back from groin injury he seemed to be not wanting to push it.

Also don’t know how gassed he was there, and a tall lanky guy always looks lackadaisical.

That said this was bad, one non-negotiable for Marty is effort

Geoff @geoffm777.bsky.social · 15h

It’s a back to back but also only day 2 for the Habs.. I’ll guess no.

Would be nice to slip Struble in as well.. get all guys involved early as we start our 11 gms in 22 days.. but not expecting it.

Geoff @geoffm777.bsky.social · 15h

Only caught the 1st on radio, but even if that’s the case… the very fact Dach as the centre needs a winger to take draws for him, Dach has some responsibility.

Hope he finds his way back, it’s only game 1, but I prefer him with less responsibilities on the W.

Geoff @geoffm777.bsky.social · 15h

We may be in the McKenna sweepstakes ourselves by then ;)

Like the pieces we’ve added, but quite a few that we’ll need to move on from before we really ascend.

In the meantime, better deployment choices would help.. we’ll see how long Marty takes to get there.

Geoff @geoffm777.bsky.social · 1d

Great recap Brian.. looking forward to your analysis for another season :)

Agree that part of Marty’s “it starts right now” mantra needs to apply to him too.. they need a PP1 with Dem

P.S. I’ll give Dach a pass on the 2nd goal.. Xhekaj falling & losing his man who then scores I put on Arber.

Geoff @geoffm777.bsky.social · 1d

They missed the net and/or didn’t convert on way too many good scoring chances (hello Slaf :) ) for me to say they didn’t deserve the loss.

Hutson contract story soured my mood early today and this did nothing to turn things around. :)

11 games in 22 days, we’ll find out quick about this season