Wheelchairsuperhero

I don't think he's ready. He's just started to find his game in GR. But what do I know?

Things are turning ugly quick!

Joe Veleno is going to be a big deal.

This is where I'm at. Obviously he's not an ideal pick based on need, and I wish he were a righty, but if he's available for us he'll probably be BPA anyway. He's looking like he's taking the Laine route, but his numbers are slightly better while doing it. My gut just tells me he's going to be the most ready to step in and make an impact. I wanted Pettersson, but I had noooooo idea he'd turn out like this. Also thought he would've gotten a little bigger at this point, but I guess that's irrelevant when you're that good.

Kaapo Kakko

Who called that Nielsen goal earlier? I swear I saw that somewhere. If so that was ******* incredible. GO WINGS

Remember when DeKeyser actually seemed good? He had gorgeous hair. Coincidence? I don't think so.

We can, the dude is more offensively aware than almost all of our forwards. He's had some pretty egregious moments in the defensive zone though, but you take the good with the bad in this case I'd say.

I wouldn't mind if he got another look on the first line over Abdelkader.

Gotta love the Bert.

Chowloski's lazy and he sucks.

I'm confused why he's being paid more than Pastarnak. Someone smarter than me here, please elaborate?

bummer

Watched the game today. Zadina looks muuuuuuuuuch improved. Doesn't look nervous to be on the ice anymore.

I fear the s*** out of their first line. Not sure about the rest.

Feels good to be back in the win column. Gotta love the Bert.

bolded for emphasis. Guy constantly surprises me with how poor he looks on some plays, both offensively and defensively. I haven't even been thinking about his contract either, which as you pointed out is the absolute worst.

Why is it every time I’m annoyed with this team’s defense, Danny DeKeyser is on the ice? Guy got straight ruined by Perron.

AA could have a hat trick right now. This dude is just generating so many chances right now, it's crazy. Guy is a lightning bolt.

If I'm not mistaken, that was Marchand who couldn't settle the puck and lost it to AA. Feels real good. Hottest team in the league WOOOOOOOOO

One of my favorite things to do is talk about prospects, they're definitely not off limits. It just needs to be taken into consideration that they're simply not the person they're going to be yet, mentally or physically. Everything you've critiqued about him I think we agree on for the most part, I just don't think we can use it to determine the player he's going to be years from now with any accuracy yet. With that in mind I tend to just fall back on skill set, drive, etc. At least until there's a reasonable sample size, and I did say previously I'd reevaluate my feelings on Zadina later in the season.

This works well as me and Trebek share the same first name. You won a like.

I get it, someone's gotta keep the board afloat. You're the hero LGW deserves, but not the one it needs. So we'll hunt you, because you can take it. Because you're not our hero, but a silent guardian, a watchful protector. Feel free to quote me, I definitely just made that up.

Let me preface this by saying that becoming a player like Kucherov is a tall order for anyone, dude is exceptional and there are very few players in the league who can drive the play from the wing like that. That being said I also agree that his foot speed is average, however I think his edge work is well above average and I expect his overall speed to develop a bit as he strengthens his lower half as well. It's not like we're looking at a poor skater here. I disagree on the IQ part, when he's confident he has space it looks to me like he knows how to make the right play. The issue I see is that he still just isn't recognizing when he has time or doesn't have time yet and that leads to some panic passes, but I see this changing as he adapts and gains some confidence. I'm not saying he's a guaranteed elite player or anything, my point is simply that it's too early to adjust predraft expectations. Then again, maybe you thought all of this before we even drafted him, I'm not sure. I'm totally with you on the bolded, expectations should always be tempered with players this young IMO. He has the tools though, and seems to have the right attitude, so I'm optimistic nonetheless. Then again, maybe my definition for success with him comes at a lower standard than other's. I can live with the fact that he may not be a future HOFer like Hossa or 100 point guy like Kucherov (even if it's too early to tell). edit: As for the first bolded; I appreciate your advanced preparation and am equally prepared to be so salty if it happens. There will be lots of screeching and backtracking.