Lou glossing over the situation in Bridgeport is weak. Of course the main goal of an AHL team is to have players prepared to help at the NHL level. This kind of atmosphere and losing is not good for player development and he knows that. It’s a negative atmosphere and he should own it!
20 Games under .500 in Bridgeport! Time to clean house those players need a fresh start under new leadership. With the talent level you don’t expect the team to be great, but they should be closer to .500. Players even fringe prospects are not performing up to potential. Losing like this is unacceptable even in the AHL. Lou gets his share of criticism, but for the most part I have a positive view of him as a GM. It’s simply a situation he has to find a young GM and coach to use the defibrillator on this franchise now. You can’t have prospects in this environment. Thank God most of our top prospects are in NCAA or overseas, and they have to stay there at least until this mess is cleaned up. Send Engvall down he deserves to ride the bus in Bridgeport. Not a shred of Pride or compete, I’d make that dude ride the bus for six years down there. Foudy has earned a call up to at least be an extra forward. However I think these new lines are set at the moment.
Lee Horvat. Barzel
DuClair Nelson Palmeri
Holmstrom JG. Casey
Gatcomb. Mac. Tsyplakov
Honestly these lines fix nicely together. The defensive pairings
Pelech. De Angelo
Romanov. Boqvist
Perunovich Mayfield
One thing jumps out at you. Better skating a very mobile smaller group. Romanov Mayfield and DeAngelo provide some nice physicality.
Pulock and Dobson are going to be out a while unfortunately. As far as Dobson he is concerned going to have to spend the Summer getting stronger and learn how to be nastier and tougher to play against. Opposition is just to damn comfortable around him. If he has to drop the gloves occasionally he has to be mentally and physically prepared for that. He isn’t a kid anymore. The upside is still there, but so is the trade value? Pulock is so solid, would love to see him shoot on net more. Pulock if healthy is another tremendous trade asset. Not saying I would trade either, but it might be necessary to acquire a young stud offensive forward. Lee Palmeri Nelson Casey there are a lot of forwards up there in age that need to be replaced. Hopefully Danny Nelson and Cole Eiserman are part of that solution, but we need more offensive talent up front. Dobson or Pulock have the ability to get that return in a trade. Winnipeg has to go all in this year the window is open for them. If Pulock is healthy he should be there number one target. Who knows if Lou is going to move anyone or should?
Adam Boqvist signing to me has two parts. After Poluck got slew footed by Canes Blake (I know JG wrote that number down, there is something about a total and complete hockey player that you have to admire) #1Ryan separated his shoulder 100% and it could be on the serious side unfortunately( I Hope Not) #2 You are taking a flyer on a very talented player and exceptional skater. Some European players take time to adjust to the NHL, him being a RHD is a big plus. It’s a no lose situation for Lou and Patty is happy to have another skater and puck mover on D. None of these guys are here to replace Scott Mayfield . Scotty plays a super important role physically, opponents don’t like playing against Scotty. You know Scotty and JG are ready to stand up to anybody that goes after a teammate. There is zero hesitation with them. Deangelo RHD Perunovich LHD and Boqvist RHD are in an incredible situation. Basically go out and win the PP QB role, play as much ice time as you can. Go out and establish yourself and make money. Rarely is this opportunity there. Let’s see who seizes the moment.
Brock might not be flashy, but this dude is a great all round player. I wouldn’t have any reservations about signing him for the three years. He is in better hockey shape than most 23 year olds. Balls in his court 8X3 or 7X4 is my opinion. He won’t do better in Minnesota, and there is zero guarantee that team will outperform the Islanders during that period.
Things really get interesting if they can roll through Florida Trip. Don’t usually play well against either team. Back to Back Goalie issue. If they can get three points or sweep it says to me this is more than a feel good winning streak. It’s something that can send confidence soaring. The Nelson situation will have to be sorted out before the trade deadline. It comes down to whether you want to sign him, and him wanting to finish his career on the Island. The narrative that he only wants to go back to Minnesota is questionable. Yes Minnesota is home, but are they going to give you the term and AAV you want? One thing about Brock he will tell Lou if he is interested in resigning with the Islanders or he isn’t. If Lou makes a blockbuster with Dobson it may affect Brock’s situation. A lot of moving parts, but with them winning it’s all positive options.
The last piece of this puzzle is to get the Power Play going. It’s crazy but it’s going to be up to DeAngelo and Perunovich to QB it. Deangelo has been productive doing so at the NHL level before, Perunovich in the NCAA and AHL. What an opportunity for both guys, can they breathe life into a DOA PP? As far as the forwards I would have to insert Holmstrom into the PP. He is more consistent and confident 5X5 and the PK, even more critically he has high end talent. The kid can perform magic with that long stick and quick twitch. I see great things for Holmstrom, super well rounded player that can play any situation. They don’t need to be high end, but they need to have productive offensive zone time and score over 17% 18%. Unit 1. Deangelo, Barzel, Horvat, Holmstrom, Lee. Unit 2 Perrinovich, Nelson, Palmeri, DuClair, Tsyplakov. It was great to see Palmeri score. Somehow they have to get DuClair going. Really tough season for him with the groin injury. Really hasn’t fit in yet, but they have to get him going. They need to stick with the DuClair - Nelson - Palmeri 2nd Line. It has great potential to drive this team if it gets going. On Lee, I have so much respect for this guy. He is skating better than he ever has, and with tremendous drive. He is just a better version of himself, and I attribute that to working with Adam Oates during the Summer.
Lou glossing over the situation in Bridgeport is weak. Of course the main goal of an AHL team is to have players prepared to help at the NHL level. This kind of atmosphere and losing is not good for player development and he knows that. It’s a negative atmosphere and he should own it!
20 Games under .500 in Bridgeport! Time to clean house those players need a fresh start under new leadership. With the talent level you don’t expect the team to be great, but they should be closer to .500. Players even fringe prospects are not performing up to potential. Losing like this is unacceptable even in the AHL. Lou gets his share of criticism, but for the most part I have a positive view of him as a GM. It’s simply a situation he has to find a young GM and coach to use the defibrillator on this franchise now. You can’t have prospects in this environment. Thank God most of our top prospects are in NCAA or overseas, and they have to stay there at least until this mess is cleaned up. Send Engvall down he deserves to ride the bus in Bridgeport. Not a shred of Pride or compete, I’d make that dude ride the bus for six years down there. Foudy has earned a call up to at least be an extra forward. However I think these new lines are set at the moment.
Lee Horvat. Barzel
DuClair Nelson Palmeri
Holmstrom JG. Casey
Gatcomb. Mac. Tsyplakov
Honestly these lines fix nicely together. The defensive pairings
Pelech. De Angelo
Romanov. Boqvist
Perunovich Mayfield
One thing jumps out at you. Better skating a very mobile smaller group. Romanov Mayfield and DeAngelo provide some nice physicality.
Pulock and Dobson are going to be out a while unfortunately. As far as Dobson he is concerned going to have to spend the Summer getting stronger and learn how to be nastier and tougher to play against. Opposition is just to damn comfortable around him. If he has to drop the gloves occasionally he has to be mentally and physically prepared for that. He isn’t a kid anymore. The upside is still there, but so is the trade value? Pulock is so solid, would love to see him shoot on net more. Pulock if healthy is another tremendous trade asset. Not saying I would trade either, but it might be necessary to acquire a young stud offensive forward. Lee Palmeri Nelson Casey there are a lot of forwards up there in age that need to be replaced. Hopefully Danny Nelson and Cole Eiserman are part of that solution, but we need more offensive talent up front. Dobson or Pulock have the ability to get that return in a trade. Winnipeg has to go all in this year the window is open for them. If Pulock is healthy he should be there number one target. Who knows if Lou is going to move anyone or should?
Good for George, AHL has to be disappointing, but he proved he can be an NHLer. Needs to add Strength and some edge it will come. Very very young!
Adam Boqvist signing to me has two parts. After Poluck got slew footed by Canes Blake (I know JG wrote that number down, there is something about a total and complete hockey player that you have to admire) #1Ryan separated his shoulder 100% and it could be on the serious side unfortunately( I Hope Not) #2 You are taking a flyer on a very talented player and exceptional skater. Some European players take time to adjust to the NHL, him being a RHD is a big plus. It’s a no lose situation for Lou and Patty is happy to have another skater and puck mover on D. None of these guys are here to replace Scott Mayfield . Scotty plays a super important role physically, opponents don’t like playing against Scotty. You know Scotty and JG are ready to stand up to anybody that goes after a teammate. There is zero hesitation with them. Deangelo RHD Perunovich LHD and Boqvist RHD are in an incredible situation. Basically go out and win the PP QB role, play as much ice time as you can. Go out and establish yourself and make money. Rarely is this opportunity there. Let’s see who seizes the moment.
Louie is busy cooking. Roy’s saying Its like mobile Defenseman Christmas! Lou is crafty, but fans want a Cup and that’s the rub.
Dobson can still be great! Get Stronger and get a little nasty
Brock might not be flashy, but this dude is a great all round player. I wouldn’t have any reservations about signing him for the three years. He is in better hockey shape than most 23 year olds. Balls in his court 8X3 or 7X4 is my opinion. He won’t do better in Minnesota, and there is zero guarantee that team will outperform the Islanders during that period.
Things really get interesting if they can roll through Florida Trip. Don’t usually play well against either team. Back to Back Goalie issue. If they can get three points or sweep it says to me this is more than a feel good winning streak. It’s something that can send confidence soaring. The Nelson situation will have to be sorted out before the trade deadline. It comes down to whether you want to sign him, and him wanting to finish his career on the Island. The narrative that he only wants to go back to Minnesota is questionable. Yes Minnesota is home, but are they going to give you the term and AAV you want? One thing about Brock he will tell Lou if he is interested in resigning with the Islanders or he isn’t. If Lou makes a blockbuster with Dobson it may affect Brock’s situation. A lot of moving parts, but with them winning it’s all positive options.
The last piece of this puzzle is to get the Power Play going. It’s crazy but it’s going to be up to DeAngelo and Perunovich to QB it. Deangelo has been productive doing so at the NHL level before, Perunovich in the NCAA and AHL. What an opportunity for both guys, can they breathe life into a DOA PP? As far as the forwards I would have to insert Holmstrom into the PP. He is more consistent and confident 5X5 and the PK, even more critically he has high end talent. The kid can perform magic with that long stick and quick twitch. I see great things for Holmstrom, super well rounded player that can play any situation. They don’t need to be high end, but they need to have productive offensive zone time and score over 17% 18%. Unit 1. Deangelo, Barzel, Horvat, Holmstrom, Lee. Unit 2 Perrinovich, Nelson, Palmeri, DuClair, Tsyplakov. It was great to see Palmeri score. Somehow they have to get DuClair going. Really tough season for him with the groin injury. Really hasn’t fit in yet, but they have to get him going. They need to stick with the DuClair - Nelson - Palmeri 2nd Line. It has great potential to drive this team if it gets going. On Lee, I have so much respect for this guy. He is skating better than he ever has, and with tremendous drive. He is just a better version of himself, and I attribute that to working with Adam Oates during the Summer.