Oh my god! You and Mike agree on an idea?!

I guess I'll just shut up now. By the power vested in the Tom-Mike concordance, I declare my idea POOCOCKY!

_________________
Wheelhouse

i actually like this idea. when tom and i agree on something, its a law that its true. for example, if tom and i think Rosanne barr is hot, well, from now on forward, she is considered hot by the masses.

but i dont find her hot, so... mystery on that one is still at large.

_________________

The idea of Grags in, Leo out is pretty fuckered.

But Grags in, Butler out is a different story. Butler's steadiness has been improving, but Grags already seems to have that plus he's more physical and a faster skater.

_________________
mechaphil

_________________
HOCKEY IS BACK!

I'm not a huge fan of the idea of jumbling Tyler Myers' defensive partner again on him, 3 games before the playoffs.

It looks like Grags is playing come the playoffs anyways because Leopold won't be back until the 2nd round assuming we make it there.

_________________
Wheelhouse

I'm not even getting the Butler hate right now. The kid just logged the toughest minutes of his career last game, and held up pretty good. If you're looking for a sacrificial lamb, then Suckera would be mine, basing it on the CAR playoff game alone. He was clearly the player who looked most shaken. Grags will get his chance, but this isn't the point in our season or his career to do it(and that's why you got called on the teen angst here).

He played fine, of course Pens fans were quick to try and blame him for every goal but I can't think of one that was just his fault. He was good positionally and he used his speed very well.

But the Pens used him as a bottom pairing guy and gave Goligoski more minutes, so Bylsma obviously did not trust the new guy as much as the younger guy. Leopold got caught by Sutton with his head down at the red line. The Pens as a team used that dirty elbow to the head to ralley to crush the Sens the rest of the way. Leopold missed some games from that hit.

Leopold's shot from the point has been tremendous, he gets them on net with scary regularity. That and his puck moving skills alone make up for whatever gaps defensivly he has. But I'm sure he'll pay more attention to his positioning in the playoffs, I'm not worried about Leopold at all, they need him back in fact. But Grags play is great, it's nice to know he's the 7th and not Morrisonn.

_________________
"I love that you know how to do that." Cheryl/Carol/Crystal

"And I love that I have an erection that doesn't involve homeless people." Kreiger

You weren't worried when the guy that is first on the team in icetime, third in short handed icetime, and the defensive corps leader in terms of goals and ppg went down with an injury?

_________________
Proud LGBTQQ Individual

Clearly, the way this team has played without him in the lineup, there was something to be worried about.

Too bad I don't have a picture of myself flipping off the camera to post after that. Just not that cool.

_________________
Wheelhouse

alright. i think this thread has reached its limit.

_________________

In our next episode, Adam will go over his observations about a 3rd liner in his roller hockey league that shows much more heart than Drew Stafford, and review why the Sabres should sign him now!

Nice guy you are, Tom. Really nice guy.

_________________
Wheelhouse

I'm busting your balls man. Don't be so thin skinned.

Agreed. Let's hope PSP has his sense of humor going full throttle today, and we just move along.

_________________
HOCKEY IS BACK!

so.... how bout them lakers?

_________________

Not to stir shit up again but as soon as i read the title I said no...Leopold has been great all season for being labeled a offensive defenseman he plays good D and plays good offense as well.. has a HELL of a shot and can move the puck and stick handle when he needs to as well. I mean I like Grags and everything but just no... no... you want Leopold out there if you get the option. Grags will become what Leopold is.. hell even maybe what Brain Campbell is.. but he isnt at that point yet.

_________________
The Board Drunk.

I hate being late to post on this one. All the good comments have been taken so I'll try to be serious.

Leopold has had the expected mediocre defensive play, but not horrible. He has produced much more offensively though, and has been the most consistent d-man all season. We saw a couple games where the defense suffered in adjusting without him, and Butler, Morrisonn and Sekera are all still worse in the d-zone.

If Gragnani develops he can beat out any one of those guys, but not Leopold under any circumstance. The second Leopold is healthy (middle of 1st rd now) somebody gets bumped up to the press box, and that will be Gragnani, Morrisonn, or Butler.

On another note, I was told that Gragnani is a douchebag. A real cocky douchebag.

_________________
I am, you know I am. I am Canadian.
#1 Hockey Nation.

Hmmm. That's strange, because the reports I've heard were that his team mates love him.

He also looked pretty modest during his post game interview in the last go around.

_________________
Wheelhouse