NEW YORK ISLANDERS 2
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Well, back to Rexall we all went again tonight for a joyous (if slightly meaningless) victory. It's always great to win and I don't care if it was against a nothing team for zero points. We beat em and we darn well liked it. I was actually a little surprised that people weren't more pumped for the start of the game, but I guess that's life. When we finally did score, and boy did it take forever, everyone got into it a little more. I'm not sure everyone knew what to make of playing the Islanders to be honest. We're used to rivalry matches in the preseason.
I'm not sure if they'll add more before the season starts, but there seemed to be a whole lot of nothing new at the rink. Maybe I missed something, but there was no new food, no new store or stand, nothing new in the viewing area (aside from new ads for Telus TV and some discount Barn-somethingerother). That was a little disappointing. I'm hoping they're just holding back.
John Tavares looked...well...good when he had Doug Weight on his line. I think he'll do alright for himself this year. He didn't look earth-shattering, which would be noticeable even in the first pre-season game I find. It will be very interesting to see how he develops in NYI given how utterly bad they are.
The Isles actually came out much faster than we did and seemed to outwork the vet-prospect combo lineup early; but they weren't good enough to really do anything with that work. The Isles are a bad team that looks like a bad team and plays like a bad team.
I enjoyed watching Quinn jawing the ref even in a preseason game. I truly didn't enjoy the lack of intensity our previous coach projected. It's one thing to be focused and calm, but a great leader must know when the time comes to show some fire (yes, even in the pre-season).
I'm sure there's more system change than was totally evident tonight, but watching the 5-on-3 with three players down low was very interesting and should've worked but Hemsky got robbed.
In the end it was a semi-crummy pre-season game against the Islanders, nothing much to see here, but let's get into some...
PLAYER REPORTS
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Hemsky
- I thought he looked like he was getting his feet wet tonight. In my pre-game I speculated that this line wouldn't work and I think that came true. They didn't dominate inferior opposition at any time. These guys' games aren't built right. Hemsky played fine for a vet using the first game as prep. I'd look for him to be better in the next game he plays though. No extra step or major changes obvious as yet.
Nilsson
- I think he looks like a little more solid hockey player this year. He was getting into better position and looked more sure of himself on his skates and with the puck. I still think he's behind a number of players for a top 6, and maybe even top 9 spot on the team, but at least he looked like an NHLer.
Gagner
- He was okay, and I suppose looked more comfortable on the ice than he would be in the past. His goal was fairly weak, but it almost looked like he was relieved. Nothing special but nothing alarming which is kind of the point.
Penner
- His goal was entirely unique in that he actually made other players look slow and took a great shot. I liked that a lot. If he can keep that up he'll be very useful. I thought he was invisible and kind of slow before that. Did anyone else see anything different?
Cogliano
- He didn't look great to me as he wasn't using his speed to get to the locations he needed to be in. I think it was more about being uncomfortable with his line though. I'll wait to see how he's looking in later games.
Eberle
- How exactly he was awarded first star I really don't know. Maybe they wanted to make him feel good? I really don't know. I see a lot of potential in his game as he goes to the right places in the offensive zone all the time and the puck really seems to come to him. He needs to learn to finish at a higher level. Tonight he really should have scored at least 1 and probably 2. Scoring goals from in tight is probably his only hope to make the NHL this season and I don't think he can do it at this level...YET. I certainly think he'll be able to do it at some point. Every team needs a quiet scorer and this guy could be it; give him two years however. He's a different type of dynamic player that we don't really possess at the moment.
Cornet
- I can see why some people really like him. He gets to the right spots in every zone, is a solid if unspectacular skater, and looks very very comfortable handling a puck even with the Andy Sutton's of the world lurking around. The one thing I really noticed is that he's always checking around himself and is very observant of the play. He does this without the panicking that many other young players exhibit as they attempt this same thing early in their careers. I see potential in this young man.
Reddox
- Liam had a really weird game. He tried to go in on two rushes like a dynamic offensive guy and failed. He missed the net on a break. He took two penalties and wasn't really effective anywhere. If this is how he's going to play, his already low-ish chances of making the squad are nearly non-existant.
Pisani
- I was hoping to see something special. He looks like he's moving more effectively than last year which is good. I did not however see anything special. Oh well. The wait continues. I think the best fit for him on the team is really debatable this year depending on the style we employ, but that it's very important that Fernando have a good year. At least he looks fit for a change.
MacIntyre
- Did his job, landed some good shots.
Trukhno
- A surprise addition to the lineup, I thought he played well and showed his patience and skill with the puck. I really hope he's able to find an extra gear to his game in the AHL though because he's still a ways off.
Pouliot
- Skated well and made solid passes. Certainly the class of his line even if that isn't saying much. I'll be more interested in his game against more pro-laden squads.
Souray
- Played well and snarly. He broke two pieces of glass in one game (ever before in Oilers land?), he was tough in his own end and I loved how he owned Bruno Gervais to score his goal. That was beautiful and showed where Sheldon is most effective in the offensive zone. When he moves in with the puck, it generates big-time offence. Looking solid.
Smid
- Patient with the puck, a little snarly, good passing. No complaints.
Grebeshkov
- He's usually better, but he also usually has better linemates. Unspectacular and didn't notice him much aside from one or two rusty moments that everyone had.
Motin
- I watched him specifically and noticed one very disturbing constant: he is very unsure of himself in the defensive zone and thus always gets caught moving towards his man late. I'm going to chalk this up to jitters and hope he improves, but you cannot be an NHLer defender chasing your man from behind all the time. I wasn't that impressed with his positioning either. Another look is required at this guy, hopefully on a night when he looks more comfortable. Right now he's behind a number of guys, though I thought Chorney looked worse against Calgary.
Young
- Did his job very well. I like him as an AHL stalwart.
Taylor
- Nothing good about his game that I could see.
Deslauriers
- Really really solid. He moved well and positioned himself effectively in the net. Most importantly, he really gave the impression to me that he knows he's an NHL goaltender. Not in an arrogant way but in a confident and important way, especially for a goalie. He could surprise this year, I'll already predict that.
Dubnyk
- Effective if a bit awkward. I still think there's a visible gap between him and Jeff, but not so much because of Dubnyk lagging as last year, but because Jeff has improved.
1. Souray
2. Deslauriers
3. Weight (yes I know he left really early but he made John T look very good)
So there we have it; let the best sports season of the year begin shortly! I want to have the boys playin for points and see a real NHL roster under the leadership of our new more intense coach! I see possibility!
Disagree with Penner, Cogliano and Eberle. They were the only line doing anything tonight, other than turning the puck over. Eberle was the best player on both teams aside from NY's goalie.
Hemsky and Gagner both looked like they'll start the season flat again, regardless of a coaching change.
Thanks Rin and Tree! I'll keep doing them so long as I'm able. Talking about hockey is a wonderful pastime and now that I get to share those conversations with so many people, it just gets better.
Disagree with Penner, Cogliano and Eberle. They were the only line doing anything tonight, other than turning the puck over. Eberle was the best player on both teams aside from NY's goalie.
Really? I just didn't see him do all that much aside from get into scoring position. He didn't carry the puck too much or control a PP or anything so I'm a little confused on that point I guess.
The line as a whole wasn't bad; just sort of...pedestrian I guess?
On Cornet, I agree that he didnt look spectacular. But I'll bet that his goal coming into this game was to not stand out. Although he did make one blind between the legs pass behind the other teams net which resulted in a turnover. But aside from that I have nothing to complaing about his game.
Also, I agree that Eberle didnt deserve the first star (thought Smid did), but one thing that really impressed me with Jordan was how well he used his body and protected this puck for a kid his size. He showed some solid hustle and was making plays, I can forgive him for the lack on finish tonight.
EDIT: Disagree on Trukhno, thought he was useless. Good hands and vision, questionable IQ. He's a write off to me.
Trukhno
- A surprise addition to the lineup, I thought he played well and showed his patience and skill with the puck. I really hope he's able to find an extra gear to his game in the AHL though because he's still a ways off.
First off very good read and bang on for all players. But i disagree with the game Trukhno had, I will admit i didn't see all the game(probably watched 40 mins spead out over the game), but the plays i saw he looked rush and made risky passes in some dangerous areas or did i catch him on just bad shifts?
First off very good read and bang on for all players. But i disagree with the game Trukhno had, I will admit i didn't see all the game(probably watched 40 mins spead out over the game), but the plays i saw he looked rush and made risky passes in some dangerous areas or did i catch him on just bad shifts?
He did lose the puck from time to time.
I suppose I shall clarify...he looked good in comparison to his previous efforts. Much better.
On Cornet, I agree that he didnt look spectacular. But I'll bet that his goal coming into this game was to not stand out. Although he did make one blind between the legs pass behind the other teams net which resulted in a turnover. But aside from that I have nothing to complaing about his game.
Also, I agree that Eberle didnt deserve the first star (thought Smid did), but one thing that really impressed me with Jordan was how well he used his body and protected this puck for a kid his size. He showed some solid hustle and was making plays, I can forgive him for the lack on finish tonight.
EDIT: Disagree on Trukhno, thought he was useless. Good hands and vision, questionable IQ. He's a write off to me.
I think one of the most important things when a young guy comes in is that he can skate around and look like he knows what he's doing. Even if he's not good enough yet, he acts like he belongs. Cornet did that. He played in that fashion. It was enjoyable.
Eberle does make a serious effort to protect the puck. It's always noticeable in his game and frankly something our guys could learn. Comrie's great at it in tight spots when he's on.
Last edited by LoudmouthHemskyfan#1: 09-17-2009 at 01:45 AM.
I was not a fan of the Gagner line spending the majority of the game thinking the only offense allowed was off of #44's big slap shot. Meanwhile, I thought the Cogliano line was more about getting offense from the front of the net.
Trukno was a strange player for me tonight. He would go to the right spot, to make the proper hockey play, then quite often he would follow this by making a bad hockey play. Not sure if it is a lack of talent or just rushing, but he kind of frustrated me tonight.
Ya I disagree with on the Eberle, Gagner and Penner analysis as well, I thought Gagner looked dangerous in the third had a tough first but straightened it out, Penner did what he was supposed to and put the puck in the net. He still isn't using that big body of his, but I liked what he did tonight and Eberle was real good tonight, won some 1 on 1 battles, didn't give up on a lot of plays. He probably won't make the team this year, but the effort he had tonight definitely shows they shouldn't count him out.
Upon listening to Quinn's post-gamer, I believe that this man understands the game and what went on. He was also kind enough to relate that to the rest of us.
I never got that feeling of security from MacTavish.
I think it's about time Nilsson-hate comes to an end. The guy was one of the best players tonight and one of the most defensively responsible forwards. I found he had to make up for a lot of Gagner's and Hemsky's mistakes.
The problem was the lines. All the playmakers were on one line, and all the shooters were on the other line. The reason the kid line worked so well was because Nilsson and Gagner would consistently set up Cogliano.
How come you get to make your own topic thread - I'm going to file a complaint with the mods....
Either that or buy you a beer....
Quote:
Originally Posted by LoudmouthHemskyfan#1
Motin
- I watched him specifically and noticed one very disturbing constant: he is very unsure of himself in the defensive zone and thus always gets caught moving towards his man late. I'm going to chalk this up to jitters and hope he improves, but you cannot be an NHLer defender chasing your man from behind all the time.
I wasn't that impressed with his positioning either. Another look is required at this guy, hopefully on a night when he looks more comfortable.
Right now he's behind a number of guys
Of course he is "behind a number of guys" - he was drafted 103 overall 15 months ago. And was trained on the larger ice surface.
Considering that he is turning 20 next month - he looked fairly good tonight.......
Ya I disagree with on the Eberle, Gagner and Penner analysis as well, I thought Gagner looked dangerous in the third had a tough first but straightened it out, Penner did what he was supposed to and put the puck in the net. He still isn't using that big body of his, but I liked what he did tonight and Eberle was real good tonight, won some 1 on 1 battles, didn't give up on a lot of plays. He probably won't make the team this year, but the effort he had tonight definitely shows they shouldn't count him out.
Penner showed a lot this game, he did a few things that he simply wouldn't do in previous years. He chipped and chased, and actually came up with the puck with great ease. Not a single Oiler has done that in at least 2 seasons. He bowled through people to retrieve pucks. He cycled extremely well with Cogs and was really the catalyst that opened up Eberle for his chances.
Penner in the shape that he's in, with the drive he's showing, is exactly what the Oilers need.
I think it's about time Nilsson-hate comes to an end. The guy was one of the best players tonight and one of the most defensively responsible forwards. I found he had to make up for a lot of Gagner's and Hemsky's mistakes.
The problem was the lines. All the playmakers were on one line, and all the shooters were on the other line. The reason the kid line worked so well was because Nilsson and Gagner would consistently set up Cogliano.
I agree. I have always liked him and I've always thought he would do better under a different coach. He's been one of the best players at camp and was one of the best again tonight. His defensive game seems much better. I just can't understand why people think we should get rid of him. I see people put lists for the lines they want to see this year and the majority of the time Nilsson isn't even on them. This guy is way to talented to get rid of. I know if we lose him to another team we will regret it. And no one has more chemistry on this team than Nilsson and Gagner.
I agree. I have always liked him and I've always thought he would do better under a different coach. He's been one of the best players at camp and was one of the best again tonight. His defensive game seems much better. I just can't understand why people think we should get rid of him. I see people put lists for the lines they want to see this year and the majority of the time Nilsson isn't even on them. This guy is way to talented to get rid of. I know if we lose him to another team we will regret it. And no one has more chemistry on this team than Nilsson and Gagner.
I never thought a top six player could be tagged overpaid with a 2M contract until Nilsson found a way to do that last season. He has a LOT more to prove than a few games in TC and I hope he realizes that. Those flashes we've seen them all before, even the defensive ones.
