Quoting: Gmonwy
I was impressed with DeSimone last night. I think he should stay in. Probably move Zadorov to the left and have DeSimone with him
Quoting: yycofred
I thought he was average but in only 10 minutes of ice time it's tough to find your stride, my thinking here is getting Gilbert in to see what they have with the guys on the road trip, if the spot available is Stone's and it's between Mackey, DeSimone and Gilbert when Tanev returns you want to have the best option. Maybe take Mackey out tonight and see DeSimone and Gilbert? Tough when Mackey seems to be finding his game a little bit here. I see the three guys essentially in a camp battle for Stone's spot if he's out long term, Tanev traveled with the team I think or was at least skating before they left so hopefully he's back soon!
Leave DeSimone in with Mackey, who played much better last night and I imagine is faster than Gilbert. It was DeSimone's first NHL Game, so he likely had some jitters and will hopefully be calmer tonight. He looked good other than making a good play only to make a bad play immeidately after, coughing up the puck in his own D-Zone, which lead to a goal.
I've been pointing the finger at Hanifin, but it might be Andersson that's struggling defensively this year. I'd still like to see by putting Weegar & Andersson together at some point, but I'm fine with keeping things familiar down there for now in terms of the Top-2 Pairings with Tanev out. Also, is it just me or has Mangiapane been fairly invisible this year so far as well? Maybe demote him to see if that burns a fire under him:
Huberdeau-Lindholm-Toffoli
Dube-Kadri-Ritchie
Mangiapane-Backlund-Coleman
Rooney-Ruzicka-Lewis
Hanifin-Andersson
Zadorov-Weegar
Mackey-DeSimone
Matthew Phillips is HOT right now, I'd be calling him up first personally. Need a faster skating RW with skill in the Top-6, options are to throw Ritchie up there like I did above since he's off to a HOT start himself this season OR break up Backlund & Coleman and give Coleman a look see up there, at least he works hard, goes to the corners, gets physical and shows emotion.
Starting Vladar and sitting Lucic makes good sense to me