I think Roy put out 11 13 14 at the end because he figured they could get possession and play in the rangers end and instead lost two faceoffs and got pinned in their own end. Maybe he wanted to see how they did as a lot of teams put out their top guys in those situations because of their skill and talent. Didn't work so I'd expect 44 53 and 32 out late in games in the regular season. That said it is a pattern we have seen in the past especially 6 on 5

I think Roy put out 11 13 14 at the end because he figured they could get possession and play in the rangers end and instead lost two faceoffs and got pinned in their own end. Maybe he wanted to see how they did as a lot of teams put out their top guys in those situations because of their skill and talent. Didn't work so I'd expect 44 53 and 32 out late in games in the regular season. That said it is a pattern we have seen in the past especially 6 on 5
- Upstate_isles

Upstate is back!


Preseason is the time to try things.

https://www.msn.com/en-us...72e88ee42cc77fec8d7&ei=17

One could make your argument about pelech and pulock although I still think Dobson has some room to grow. I also think Pulock and Pelech are at their best when they had help….i.e Boychuk, Greene, and Chara. The bottom pair of the isles should be sound, not b port call ups
- kindlyrick

Dobson I agree of course has room to grow but I have a hard time calling him a rookie. Maybe Romanov takes some more strides this year. I do agree though it would be a positive to add a consistent vet back there. I know it’s preseason so whatever but the issue with them holding a lead is a team wide issue imo. They need to fix what’s between the ears not something an individual player will remedy.

Dobson I agree of course has room to grow but I have a hard time calling him a rookie. Maybe Romanov takes some more strides this year. I do agree though it would be a positive to add a consistent vet back there. Issue with them holding a lead is a team wide issue imo. They need to fix what’s between the ears not something an individual player will remedy.
- Cptmjl

Holding the lead needs to be rectified, at whatever cost. The PK was last in the league too. Hopefully with Albelin that gets rectified. I just feel this team misses that “Boychuk” presence back there. I don’t love any of the call ups the isles have. They’re all meh to me. Bolduc, Aho, Salo….are all filler in my humble opinion. If they get rid of Wahlstrom, would it hurt to sign Shattenkirk for a year?

Holding the lead needs to be rectified, at whatever cost. The PK was last in the league too. Hopefully with Albelin that gets rectified. I just feel this team misses that “Boychuk” presence back there. I don’t love any of the call ups the isles have. They’re all meh to me. Bolduc, Aho, Salo….are all filler in my humble opinion. If they get rid of Wahlstrom, would it hurt to sign Shattenkirk for a year?
- kindlyrick

I don’t think there’s a cheap add that’s going to right the ship on the back end. They will have to figure it out on their own. Hope for some maturation from the younger players and some bounce back seasons from Pulock and Pelech.

I’m pretty bearish on this season. Hope to be shocked but certainly not planning on it. This site has become absolutely unusable.

I don’t think there’s a cheap add that’s going to right the ship on the back end. They will have to figure it out on their own. Hope for some maturation from the younger players and some bounce back seasons from Pulock and Pelech.

I’m pretty bearish on this season. Hope to be shocked but certainly not planning on it. This site has become absolutely unusable.
- Cptmjl

I dunno. I think the PP is improved with the additions of Tsyplakov and Duclair, and their PK was last…can only go up lol.

I don’t think any one vet dman makes them cup contenders, but if they added say Shattenkirk, that improves the PP and possibly closes out maybe a few games that were blown out of the ten.

I dunno. I think the PP is improved with the additions of Tsyplakov and Duclair, and their PK was last…can only go up lol.

I don’t think any one vet dman makes them cup contenders, but if they added say Shattenkirk, that improves the PP and possibly closes out maybe a few games that were blown out of the ten.
- kindlyrick

It’s hockey so you never know. I think ducalir will help have no idea about Tsyplakov but believe the holes with this team are a bit deeper. If they can fix their defensive game along with being capable of closing a game they’ll be more competitive. Maybe they squeeze into the playoffs but they more than likely won’t transform into the team they were four years ago. There’s a reason why they have been an at best bubble team for a while now. It’s not bad luck. They are a mediocre team.

It’s hockey so you never know. I think ducalir will help have no idea about Tsyplakov but believe the holes with this team are a bit deeper. If they can fix their defensive game along with being capable of closing a game they’ll be more competitive. Maybe they squeeze into the playoffs but they more than likely won’t transform into the team they were four years ago. There’s a reason why they have been an at best bubble team for a while now. It’s not bad luck. They are a mediocre team.
- Cptmjl

Can’t argue with them being mediocre but I will hope for the best. I think this roster in camp is better than last years so that’s a positive along with a full year of Roy.

Can’t argue with them being mediocre but I will hope for the best. I think this roster in camp is better than last years so that’s a positive along with a full year of Roy.
- kindlyrick

Like I said it’s hockey so you never know. Maybe Sorokin bounces back.

Like I said it’s hockey so you never know. Maybe Sorokin bounces back.
- Cptmjl

Sorokin will bounce back. Obviously he was injured, hence the surgery.

I like what I’m seeing from Holmstrom, Maclean, Gauthier, and Fasching. These guys are all playing for their financial security down the road. Lotta hussle in them.

Sorokin will bounce back. Obviously he was injured, hence the surgery.

I like what I’m seeing from Holmstrom, Maclean, Gauthier, and Fasching. These guys are all playing for their financial security down the road. Lotta hustle in them.
- kindlyrick

That's impossible to predict. Back issues are no joke. Obviously I hope he does and it's not a big deal. I am concerned.

That's impossible to predict. Back issues are no joke. Obviously I hope he does and it's not a big deal. I am concerned.
- JimmyP

Brother if I could predict that, I’d be playing the mega millions

That's impossible to predict. Back issues are no joke. Obviously I hope he does and it's not a big deal. I am concerned.
- JimmyP

Having Varlamov is a luxury, he's a regular starter on probably a good percentage of the teams in the league. They should give Sorokin as much time as he needs to get back to game shape. Backs are undoubtedly tricky which could be a problem going forward, but hopefully the procedure took care of it.

Which is an excellent segue into this:

https://www.dailyfaceoff....oalie-tandems-for-2024-25

New Blog!