pikey7883

I think it is abit understated that the team is playing better in front of vladar because of the lack of fear of the mistake costing them.

The Toffoli goal was really nice, well timed and well placed shot. Kadri gets a nice feed from Hubie and we get “a bounce” on the no offsides. Then we took advantage of the wheels kind of coming off for the stars, and get two quick ones. Giving up two goals to finish both periods is problematic, but I think this could be a good test for the flames. How do we finish a game?

3 out of 4 points in st loo is just fine by me

I’m sorry to hear that, a loss is a loss no matter how it comes about. I’m sorry this is close to you. 🍻

Toffoli with the beauty crossbar last game. Mang with two this game, is there any chance someone knows a site that keeps track of posts and crossbars? I would love to know what we’re at on the year.

I try not to harp on the refs, because it’s no more than an exercise in futility. I understand the call on Anderson and I can get behind it if you are interrupting a high danger chance. But how does the takedown on Dube go uncalled? Those ones frustrate me.

Last night he had an absolute beauty no look feed to Toffoli who rang it off the crossbar. He is an elite passer who has great vision, he will be fine. He needs a bit of good luck to come his way eventually here as well, from a mental standpoint I think. @tmac70 I won’t post your whole quote. But I’m glad you looked that up. I think what you’re seeing is a player in Chucky who made a decision for him and is enjoying his life. Look good, feel good, play good; and he is. People can think what they want but I don’t believe that Johnny had this play out the way that he wanted, he smiled and said he was excited to be in Columbus but I don’t know if that is entirely true, Huberdeau got blindsided and was traded across North America. Two players who changed cities, teams, lifestyles and was not necessarily what they wanted. They’re professionals and will figure it out, but might need a true off-season to catch their breath.

I think Huberdeau’s reaction at the end of the game tells a very good story of where this team is at currently. He turned the puck over deep in their end, to me what looked to be an intended drop pass to Anderson who was going the other way, and actually put him in a bad position to defend the two on one around their blue line to red line. Then the puck goes in on a pretty good two on one execution on their part, and Hubie puts his hand up (like are you kidding me right now). Smashes his stick over the cross bar and skates off. Marky smashes his stick off the boards leaving the ice, then off the tunnel. Mistakes happen in hockey all the time, but I think what they’re feeling is every time we make 1 mistake it’s in the back of our net, which makes it so much harder to play loose and to play with some freedom and energy, because you’re terrified to make a mistake. Unfortunately and I hate to say it, but right now Sutter is feeding into that narrative by saying things like that second goal is on Ruzie because he didn’t get off the ice fast enough. 1 mistake, and it’s in the back of our net, and your getting called out for it. It might be time to choose a Captain to be a bit of a new voice in the room.

I would be down for those lines. To me Pelltier is the perfect compliment to players with skill. As you mentioned his hockey IQ is high, and he is able to adapt to his teammates, I remember seeing that first hand when he played for team Canada running shotgun with Cozens I believe. He is also never going to be the guy to drive play, and that needs to be remembered. But I like your lineup suggestions.

I think the statement I highlighted is true not only for Mang, but Hubie, and maybe even Lindholm. Lindholm does so many little things right, but after last year I think he feels like it’s on him to continue producing like he did last year. Even though he traded in Gaudreau and Tkachuk (2 - 100 point guys/ P/G guys) for Dube and Toffoli. Hubie was anointed before he got here, and in between learning a new system and feeling like he is the guy now, has to be hard. I see most nights he’s trying so hard to make something happen rather than trusting his instincts and playing his game. Lastly with Mang, like you said. He has always been the underdog story fighting to prove people wrong and the flames rewarded him for all his hard work and I think he is struggling from being the guy who had to fight for every inch to being the guy who is a key to the teams offence.

Usually reading your posts makes me feel like I’m beating my head against a brick wall, lol. (To be fair, I do enjoy your take on things). But this post is why I play Jekyll and Hyde with myself when I look at the flames. On one hand I wanna see the flames win, I see someone like Meier who’s available and costs us most likely a 1st and a Pelltier or a Coronato (and a salary player exchange). But when I’m doing that I think what if in two or three years our top line is Pelltier - Lindy - Coronato and our second line gets to be Hubie - Kadri - Ruzie which affords us a third line of Coleman - Zary - Schwindt and Backs signs that good 35+ deal and shelters a couple other young guys to lead the way, and I think. Let’s ride this thing out a little further.

Ok I’ll post an unwelcome idea. What would Tanev Net us at this point in his career? He is 33 now, and still our best shut down defender, but I unfortunately 😉 have to agree with @jjgallow that as some point in time we have to look to get younger. Is there a way we can sell off a big asset at the right time to regain some youth and potentially bluechippers in the pipeline. To get moderately weaker now, and stronger in the longterm. I will post an example, would Tanev to the blue shirts get you Schneider straight up? Mostly food for thought stuff.

Like a 3rd/4th line that plays with pace? I suggest Dube-Ruzie-Phillips Top Line of: Huberdeau-Lindholm-Toffoli 2nd: Looch🤬-Kadri-Lewis (mostly cuz I haven’t been happy with Looch and Kadri, like a punishment, lol) 3rd: Mangiapane-Backlund-Coleman

I thought they tried Rosie on the top line with EL and TT? When huber was out? I think Dube is a good center, especially on a 4th energy line. He could be so impactful. One like that I would actually like to see is Hubie-Ruzie-Phillips.

I still think that we should give Hubey-Kadri-Ruzie a try. Then build a similar line to last year with Phillips-Lindy-Mang Leave our third line as a good d line with Coles-Backs-Toffee Give this last line some life Little Z - Dube - Lewis

I actually don’t mind Lewis with Phillips, because Lewis is a bit of a jack knife, and can play a lot of different ways with a lot of different people. He will show Phillips how to play the right way. Looch on their line will look slow

I think an interesting combo for the bottom 6 might be: Ruzie - Backs - Phillips Zohorna - Lewis - Coleman This may seem like a demotion for Coleman. But I think the organization is slowly (really slowly) building an identity, they want young guys when they come in to understand how the game is played, 200 foot game, hard on the puck, work boot mentality. Phillips gets protected by Backs and has familiarity with Rosie who can now attest to the hard work that it takes to stick in the lineup. Coleman and Lewis show Little Z (don’t know if I like that nickname yet, lol) the crash and bang relentless forecheck the coach wants each and every shift. Even if it is only a coffee break in the NHL it will be good for them. Also I am fine with Zary and Pelltier staying down and percolating. They will be good to go when the time is right. My thought is that they’re being groomed to eventually be the new 3rd line.

As it stands now there won’t be a trade to help our lineup before the new year. So I was thinking about our line combos. Mang-Backs-Coles (there good just leave it alone) Ruzie-Lindy-Toffee (has shown some great chemistry and to me Rosie has made the other two look good). Dube-Kadri-Mang (looked great early on, but have sputtered lately, and can’t seem to gain control in the o zone, lots of grit, not enough size to play that game) Hubie-Lindy-Tofee (to me isn’t better than the line with Rosie) Hubie-Backs-Coles (same as above, ok, just meh) And I don’t really want to talk about the fourth line, unless I’m allowed to include some Wranglers. All that being said what hasn’t been working have revolves around Kadri and Hubie (not that they’re bad), just seem to be having a hard time meshing or adjusting. Last year Kadri had Rantanen and Nichuskin on his wings, big strong powerful players. Last year Hubie played with Bennet and Duclair. What if we tried: Hubie (similar to Rantanen) - Kadri (similar/better than Bennet) - Ruzie (could be looking to be a breakout player, plays like Nichushkin, has a shot like Duclair) Then we can stop trying to rethink the Backs line, and just let Mang and Cole’s be comfortable with Backs. That leaves us with Dube - Lindy -Toffee. If that gets Kadri and Hubie going, it opens up space for the other two lines. Which is a collective win.

If we were able to inject some youth into the lineup, I think it would help. The team is lacking some of that energy and jump a young guy brings when they’re called up. Lines that I think could work: 1. Leave Mang - Kadri - Dube together, not because they’ve been working but because it allows the most balance with the other lines. ***Caveat*** the longer this season goes on, the more I see Dube as the odd man out, Mang and Kadri need a big power winger to compliment them. 2. Hubie - Ruzie - Toffee (let them play together for a while and develop chemistry, Ruzie has shown he can play up in the lineup. 3. Pelltier - Lindholm - Coleman (defensively responsible line to help transition pelltier to the nhl. I want to see if Pelltier can be a playmaker with Lindy, similar (not same) to Gaudreau. 4. Phillips - Backs - Ritchie (backs is our guy to bring in young guys, Ritchie brings the size and skating ability to help mix it up with Phillips) and no I am not ranking them in order of first to fourth lines, just a way I can see bringing young guys in.

Lewis on the PK for 2 goals today, both times he’s over committed leaving someone wide open behind him. I have been against bringing up Phillips, but I’m definitely comverting

We’ll if that’s the line whose minutes your watching, when there on let ‘em go, when there not focus on o zone starts, Toff will get his minutes on PP1, Dube and Mang do well killing penalties together. To me it would be the easiest line to control. Then you’re giving the lions share of the work to the two lines who should have it anyway. hubie-Kadri-Lindy Mang-Backs-Coles

If you tried those 3 together. you can put backs, Coles, Mang back together. then try Ruzie and Toff on the wings with Dube at center. keep the 4th line the same

I just heard the lines, what is Sutter doing tonight? @conundrumedi hope your sly fox has some tricks up his sleeve tonight, lol

Dube has been much improved this year compared to last year on his ability to win board battles. But one of the knocks on him was how easy he is to knock off the puck, he is 5’ 11 and 190 lbs and is know to be one of the most physically fit guys on our team. Compare that to Phillips who is 5’7” and 140 lbs. He will need to be alot more than shifty, he makes Johnny look solid out there.