travel_dude

Yikes: Mony with Mange and Toffee. Dube C for Lucic and Ritchie (yech).

Looks like Ritchie is in.

Who is in for Ruzie?

I'm not saying I'm right or even know what I am talking about. I like the idea of using Dube with bigger guys like Monahan and Lucic. Jarny isn't huge but plays pretty well defensively from what I understand. Would be good to use him with Backs or Ruzie. Just MHO.

Welcome back sir.

I would counter with some suggested lines that keeps Ruzie in the lineup and waives Richardson. Allows us to alternate Lewis or Dube or Ruzie in or out. Assuming Monahan stays of course. Dube might even be a casualty due to Jarnkrok. Top line Coleman-Backlund-Jarnkrok Mange-Ruzie-Toffee Lucic-Monahan-Dube/Lewis or Top line Coleman-Backlund-Toffee Mange-Ruzie-Jarnkrok Lucic-Monahan-Dube/Lewis/Ritchie To me that makes better use of speed and defense over vet status. Yeah, I know Sutter might not agree, but he seems high on Ruzie. Richardson hasn't really been a part of the lineup much. Ritchie has limited use.

It's possible that both Vegas and EDM will miss getting in. Dallas is right there for a WC spot, so one of the three teams needs will get in from the Pacific. Anaheim will drop off, but then will play "we don't care" hockey.

You the man RD. Was thinking I may have to step in for you. As usual, Mr. Reliable gets it done. Good to see we are back to these lines and pairs.

If there is that alignment between coach and GM/evaluation the it's a good thing. I was a little concerned that coaching was overruling GM/scouting. It seems that may not be the case. So, you have to think that the GM is already talking to coach about potential trades. What is the impact of player X leaving or player Y coming in. The first part of the article seems to be bang on. Tkachuk knows where Johnny is going to be and vice versa. Same with Lindholm. The D pairs get a little crossed up at times, when the F is not where they expect. Usually, it just turns out to be a little early or late. I wonder though about whether we need to get Mange back to the Backlund line. Mixed results where he is right now. I would prefer to continue to develop 3rd line as a secondary scoring line. One that has defensive smarts.

Yeah, he was at practice yesterday when the moves took place. Same lines as before. Sutter worked with Mitch Love to get Ruzie moving faster this season in the A. Was the biggest problem at camp. Says he could be a 2C if he puts in the work to get there. Doesn't want a 4C.

Back to GDB's. NJ lost to VAN in the battle of the Hughes. Could get either goalie for NJ, since both played last night. Jon Gillies. Oh my.

I hope I lose. My predictions had Vegas and EDM in the mix. I want them to both fail and fail hard.

I think every D-man is having a career year. Saw the stats, and it looks like everyone will exceed their best.

I keep tabs on Oilers just because they are close by and annoying AF. When Smith came back and dropped the ball, the fans were freaking out. Koskinen was 1st shot in trash. They beat WAS in a B2B for WAS, against their B goalie. They beat Tampa in Tampa's 1st of a B2B with Elliott in nets. 7 PP's for them. All of a sudden, they are in the hunt for the playoffs. Goaltending is fine again. I never thought Koskinen was that bad nor that good. They still have Smith and still play loose defensive hockey. Should get in the playoffs due to an easy March and April schedule. Not built for the playoffs. Less of one this year than last.

Ras is what we hoped he would become, out from under Gio's shadow. As you suggested, not a true #1, but pretty darn good. Career season so far. He seems to make smarter decisions this year. Good points total to date, but would like to see him get more shots directed at nets. He seems to avoid the shot at all costs. Might just be him wanting for the team to keep possession, but he has a decent shot. Accurate wrist shot, just always looking for the perfect angle.

Back to the regularly scheduled lineup today: #Flames at practice today: Gaudreau-Lindholm-Tkachuk Coleman-Backlund-Lewis Mangiapane-Ruzicka-Toffoli Lucic-Monahan-Dube Richardson-Ritchie Hanifin-Andersson Kylington-Tanev Zadorov-Gudbranson Stone Markstrom Vladar

Heat win last night to break their single season record for wins. They keep chugging along, getting valuable experience for the young players. Pelletier and Phillips lead the team with 48 and 50 points. Pelletier has taken over goal leader with 22 on the season. Philp has 18. Tuulola and Pettersen seem to be finding their scoring touch lately.

I was referring to a paper transaction of assigning him to the AHL, but not actually sending him there to play. Heat play tonight, so Ruzie may play there. If this is anything more than having an extra D available on game day, then BT seriously needs to consider waiving a player. Ruzie is not a perfect player at all, but offers more than just hitting or good faceoff numbers.

Good catch RD. Saw it listed for Capfriendly after you mentioned it. I'm not sure if this is a paper transaction or whether they sent him down to get in some game action. There are 4 games this week for Stockton, Mon, Wed, Fri and Sat. A lot of it depends on Kylington's status. If he is good to go, then they can send down Mackey. If not, they need to decide if they want to waive one of the extra forwards to clear a spot for him or just proceed as is. Ritchie was fine in the last game, brought hitting that managed to create some havoc, but didn't really provide any scoring chances. Considering that Ruzie was fully rested, it was an odd choice. But you know that Sutter is goinbg to be hard on rookies.

He is basically unbeatable one on one. His only weakness was a tiny hole between pads body and hand. What kind of idiot plans a schedule like that. Oh yeah, league parity. We had enough B2B sets without the one jambed into Fenruary and March.

8 in 13. But 5 in 7 sounds bigger.

Just one of those games to flush and forget. One goal game and we didn't get the calls early when we needed them. But the little mistakes you make when tired can come back to haunt you. Poor coverage leaving Nate wide open for the only real goal that changed the game. Bad play by Stone on the faceoff draw. Lost the game in the 1st.

We get them in our barn for the rubber match.

Back to win one lose one. Time to rest up and get the injured player back in.

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