-Buzzsaw-

He was the one bright spot... he played hard and got himself in position to score multiple times tonight.

The original guy I quoted was talking about tonight's game... Pettersson was one of the few Vancouver forwards at 0.

Disagree. I think Vegas has an overall extremely high standard of players. Go through the list: Stephenson, Marchessault, Karlsson, Barbashev... all are really skilled players who can score 20+. And they have a bonefide superstar in Eichel and a scoring star in Stone. The rest of the team skates extremely well, can score and are extremely responsible defensively. The D is the best in the league... we didn't even face Shea Theodore. He and Pietrangelo are Stars. The rest of the D are big, mean and mobile. And their goaltending remains topflight with Hill.

The thing about this Vegas team is that they are all things. Big + Physical + Fast + Playmakers

Basically it went like this: Veteran Cup Champs came to town to meet the upstart young studs. Put the diapers on the snot nosed Canucks and sent them to bed.

No... he had a better plus/minus than most of the forwards. But his game is definitely off. Either he has a hidden injury or mono, or something is wrong in his personal life.

Does Pettersson have Mono? Just not on... passes, skating, shooting, everything.

I was thinking exactly the same thing. Last year with the puck on his stick in that position, its gone and in the back of the net. Seems to be operating under a bit of a confidence deficit, either that or a hidden hand or wrist injury.

No, we have plenty of scoring. And character is something we want to upgrade, not downgrade.

Those problems are exactly what Foote and Goncharev will be focusing on in their 1 on 1's with him. He has the skating skills to be in position all the time... he has all the physical tools of size and reach. No reason why he can't learn to focus on the basics more.

And now we have excellent depth for the playoffs in the event of the usual post season injuries.

Essentially correct analysis... based on past performance. But with Foote and Goncharev coaching him, there is a real possibility he could become a legitimate #4. He has all the skills and size, he just needs to work on his positioning and avoid the headhunting and dumb plays.

The only reason he is not a fighter is because the rest of the league goes out of their way to avoid a fight with him. Watch the scrums after the whistle... whenever Big Z appears... the opposing players melt away.

No... too late. Three years ago, yes, but not now.

The only issue regarding big Z is that he tends to head hunt a bit too much. But I expect Goncharev and Foote to lay down the law and tell him... '...be physical, but don't get yourself in trouble and don't get out of position.' He has a definite reputation, and a lot of players start to get wobbly knees when they see him start to line them up. If he can use his reputation, and also make some timely hits, as well as being the bogeyman who will stop other other team's players from targeting Hughes/EP/Hronek, then he will be worthwhile.

For the price, this is a great acquisition. Zadorov adds big time team toughness and physicality. He is probably not top pairing, (unless Goncharev works his magic) but optimally could be a #4 with some pointed coaching. At worst, he is a solid #5. We need players like this to go deep in the playoffs... the size issues the team currently has needed addressing... this is a big step. As much as I love Nikita Tryamkin, I think the chances of him returning as a Canuck are now pretty much zero.

The Bedard family are from the Vancouver area. By posting this, you are perpetuating these completely unfounded and disgusting rumours... and smearing ordinary good people who just happen to have raised a superstar hockey player son. Personally I think you should be banned permanently from these forums and I would urge the moderators to do so.

You are wrong... Tocchet says the X-Rays were negative. He could be out a game or two with a bone bruise though.

As the quote goes: "Stoopid is as Stoopid does".

Actually I was reacting to good news with a smile... read the quote then look at my response. You are as bad as Ladyluck with your attempts to start fights.

Why don't you quit while you still have your nose above water?

Whew!

Yes, this is bang on. Although Brock and Petey like playing together, JT and Boes are actually a better combo. Their playing style 5 on 5, which is physical, alternating cycling the puck along the boards with the free player going to the net front has paid big dividends. And on the PP, Miller has been the #1 setup man for Boeser in the slot. Di Giuseppe has generally been a good compliment to these two guys for the play along the boards, but doesn't have the scoring chops.

One thing I noticed: Tocchet put Hogs on Miller and Boeser's line for one shift and he looked really good and the line was energized. I like Di Giuseppe, but might be worthwhile trying this in the future. Although it is nice to have a strong 3/4 line back up with Hogs the firecracker on one and Garland on the other. At this point we probably have one of the best set of 3/4 lines in the league.

Myers was +2 in the game and generally played well. He is fine in the 2nd pairing as long as he has a decent partner.