tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71349507198330896.post5142430358880055682..comments2024-02-20T03:19:08.889-05:00Comments on Carry the Flag: What the Blue Jackets Should Do With Their ForwardsCanadan82http://www.blogger.com/profile/11964584356246616058noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71349507198330896.post-76153806924167206412011-10-29T20:25:58.527-04:002011-10-29T20:25:58.527-04:00Pete - Re: Brassard: I made no reference to his st...Pete - Re: Brassard: I made no reference to his stats on paper. I was referring to the way he has been playing. In the past he too often has been a perimeter guy who got pushed around much to easily. This has not been the case so far this year, and I have been pleasantly surprised at how he has transformed his game. It hasn't translated to the scoresheet much yet (although both his goals came from crashing the net), but it will if he keeps it up.<br /><br />RE: Dorsett - What do you disagree with? The facts that I laid out? As much as he takes heat for the bad penalties (which is deserved), he is still a net plus when it comes to putting the Jackets on the powerplay/shorthanded. That isn't something that can be disagreed with. If you think Boll has more value, I'd like to hear why.<br /><br />RE: Line combos - At no point did I ever indicate I thought that Brassard and Giroux were long term solutions on the top line. I wanted them there for the Chicago game only. Nash, Umberger and Vermette have looked complacent this year, something that cannot happen when a team has one win. If losing isn't going to shake them out of there poor play, then Arniel HAS to do something to show them there are consequences for lackluster effort. I hate Giroux on the top line as much as anyone, but what other choice is there? Calvert? He just came up from the AHL. Johansen? I would prefer him, but then there is no one to play second line center, as Vermette needs to move down the line-up and Mackenzie and Pahlsson are not nearly skilled enough to play top six minutes. If you have a better solution to get those players out of their current funks, I'd love to discuss it. Long term Brassard is a 2nd liner, and Giroux is an AHLer (as I laid out later in the post). But for one game, if it gets the supposed stars going, I am okay with those guys playing on the top line.The Coachhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09396759168007477816noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71349507198330896.post-53160532469130599622011-10-29T17:54:43.917-04:002011-10-29T17:54:43.917-04:00Brassard a pleasant surprise? With three points an...Brassard a pleasant surprise? With three points and a -5? Surprise to some, I suppose, but certainly not pleasant for anyone. I don't agree with you about Dorsett, either, but Arniel seems to, so no point in my whining about it. Right now, this team is just not scoring enough to overcome the weaknesses on defense and in goal. I don't buy your proposed solutions - Brass and Giroux on the top line and Calvert and Johansen on the second. This is supposed to inspire Nash, RJ, and Vermette? Really?pete goegannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71349507198330896.post-37298349209799345802011-10-28T15:42:34.034-04:002011-10-28T15:42:34.034-04:00The powerplay and penalty kill have been atrocious...The powerplay and penalty kill have been atrocious, I agree. I figure I'll hit those issues at some point in the future. It's just really tough to analyze those units without know what personnel will be available to be apart of them. The biggest problem with the pk from my view has been the play of the defense, not the forwards, and without Methot/Martinek/Wiz ever playing a game together, its tough to know what it will look like moving forward.The Coachhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09396759168007477816noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71349507198330896.post-38666343288749121502011-10-28T15:36:50.724-04:002011-10-28T15:36:50.724-04:00Mayorov is proving hes still not ready to be consi...Mayorov is proving hes still not ready to be consistent at NHL level. Vermette isnt wasted on the 4th line if thats all the better hes playing. Plus, he'll be called in for faceoffs until Carter is out, so hell get a little extra time on that.<br /><br />Frankly our 5 on 5 has been fine, even while dampened by injury. The PP and PK and Defense are far better discussion points. Atkinson will eventually be the full time replacement for Mayorov/Kubaliks spot, likely by Christmas. Finally johansen should stay and see 3rd line minutes until he fully earns otherwise. It worked with Nash.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com