1. First Line(Parise-Koivu-Heatley) Second Line(Cullen-Granlund-Setogucci) have been very good so far although the scoring has all been powerplay goals except that Granlund deflection. 3rd Line(PMB-Brodziak-Clutterbuck) has been dynamic and works their tail off. Brodz had a great year last year and is a very underrated player who signed a home town discount deal. If PMB's health holds up which is a big question mark, he has been awesome and has looked like he did when Reisbrough was forced to give him a 3yr/4.5mil per deal. Fourth Line has been average at best. Konopka is a character guy had a fight and wins some faceoffs. Powe in my opinion offers nothing and should be on waivers for one of the young guys whether it be Zucker or Coyle which will come later. At the very least Kassian should be in there with Powe scratched. Mitchell hasnt shown much yet but is as versatile as powe so maybe its just giving it a little time and then Powe is gone. Powe made the team this year because of the circumstances and knowing the system.
2. Some good some bad from the blue line so far. Only 2 goals against so there is that but lots of premium scoring chances. Also the Wild has many defensively excellent forwards who have already contributed. Suter has been involved in some scoring already and will be as advertised a top pairing 2way D-man. Spurgeon has been dynamic moving the puck and in the offensive zone but has struggled to move bodies from in front of the net. Both goals scored by the Avs were with a man camped out against SPURGEON. Also the Whitney chance to tie the game came from Spurgeon getting outworked on the boards by Erikson while Suter stood flat footed. Gilbert even dating back to last season has left alot to be desired in both ends. Hopefully he gets it turned in the right direction. Falk to his credit has been trying bless his heart to be physical. He is just so lanky with not enough weight behind it. As Russo pointed out he had a very good game versus the stars. Prosser is just all effort never gonna be big enough or strong enough. Prosser probably just keeping the spot warm. Stoner for the love of him just is awful with the puck on his stick and cant skate a lick. He hits when he gets the chance.
3. Speaking with the Houston Aeros bloggers Scandella was definitely not lighting the world on fire down there before the groin injury. Sounds like more of the same that got him sent down last season despite such a great need on the blue line in MN. Brodin is super young and hasnt even been in North America for an entire season. Dumba is with the team for 5 games Max unless he forces their hand. The times I have seen him in person he is dynamite and makes you pay attention to him every moment he is on the ice. It would take alot for Fletcher to burn a year of his contract but in a 48 game season it is not unthinkable. Also of note the market for defensemen is going to be super unreasonable as the same proved true in July with free agent defensemen. Cam Barker got a contract from Vancouver? How is that even possible?
Just my thoughts
@AWKD
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