CalamityX11
49ersDevilsYanksNets
is anyone else nervous about who makes the team?
I said 2 weeks ago that Gomez would make the team. Doesn't seem so unlikely anymore. Seems he hasn't lost his passing ability.
Cheap one year deal without any kind of NTC would be fine with me.
Merrill has been hurt but seeing the comments from DeBoer, he should also be a regular in the lineup.
Your favorite player Brunner will be on the ice for game one most likely.
For backup job, I think its going to be Clemmensen based on the fact that Cory will be starting as much as possible. Better for Kinkaid to get minutes in minors.
Who knows, maybe Gomez's passing ability is what Michael Ryder needs to get back to being a sniper? I did read Ryder say his back was fucked up last year and he played through it. His entire workout routine this summer has been based around strengthening his hips and his core to take pressure off of his back so hopefully it works.
Kabarle was likely a move to pressure Gelinas into signing, to provide insurance incase he didn't and to push the younger guys in camp. Fedotenko really had no chance.
So I believe Zubrus has been on a line with Elias and Havlat for the most part? Not sure I love that move but I guess chemistry is the most important thing and if it's there why mess with it? Ideally though, with what is remaining after the cuts I think my preferred lines would be:
Camm-Zajac-Jagr
Havlat-Elias-Ruutu
Clowe-Henrique-Ryder
Zubrus-Josefson-Brunner/Gionta
Assuming that Clowe is healthy and Ryder can bounce back a bit that 3rd line is really a 2nd line. Although this means nothing if Gomez or Tootoo sign, no idea how that 4th line is going to work.
I don't think the lineup is that slow. We don't have a ton of burners but with the exception of Zubs/Clowe everyone on there is at least a decent skater. Ruutu provides some pop as well. It's really not a bad lineup.
Here is another reason why I like this lineup, add a top notch player to this lineup and it is stacked. What is preventing us from pulling off a Kovy type trade this year? The past 2 or 3 years we had to be cautious with the first round pick debacle, this year we can trade a pick, we have some prospects that are on the verge of being NHLers, we have plenty of cap space opening up after this year. If we're in it and need a top line guy there is no reason that can't happen.