Didn't think I would be so concerned about which defensemen they would try to send down through waivers (but I agree Capo more likely to make it through then Kolyachonok imo)
Is there any evidence to suggest Erne or Bastian can generate more offense than Hryckowian? I understand that he’s waiver exempt and those two aren’t but I’m also not convinced either of those guys is anything more than a 13th+ whereas Hryckowian has drawn how many penalties for the Stars PP to capitalize on and has made such a nuisance on the ice for other teams AND is now a trusted PK when neither of those guys are.
Bastian is more of a defensive specialist, like the opposite of Craig Smith. They aren't waiving him, because he can be scratched for long stretches and come in as needed. But he doesn't play on special teams.
The Erne question is the interesting one to me, because you could argue he only made the team because of Jamie Benn's injury. Now that Benn is healthy, where does Erne figure? Does he play over 10/49 with regularity? Maybe not--especially with 10/49 playing on the PK right now. But if you send a defenseman down, you do technically have room to carry Erne and Bastian until Bichsel gets back.
“We just play Miro in every situation as much as we can” — every hockey coach since Miro was still in diapers. 😂
Didn't think I would be so concerned about which defensemen they would try to send down through waivers (but I agree Capo more likely to make it through then Kolyachonok imo)
Send Libushkin thru!
Given their injury luck, I think they'll hang onto every defenseman they can, for now.
Is there any evidence to suggest Erne or Bastian can generate more offense than Hryckowian? I understand that he’s waiver exempt and those two aren’t but I’m also not convinced either of those guys is anything more than a 13th+ whereas Hryckowian has drawn how many penalties for the Stars PP to capitalize on and has made such a nuisance on the ice for other teams AND is now a trusted PK when neither of those guys are.
Bastian is more of a defensive specialist, like the opposite of Craig Smith. They aren't waiving him, because he can be scratched for long stretches and come in as needed. But he doesn't play on special teams.
The Erne question is the interesting one to me, because you could argue he only made the team because of Jamie Benn's injury. Now that Benn is healthy, where does Erne figure? Does he play over 10/49 with regularity? Maybe not--especially with 10/49 playing on the PK right now. But if you send a defenseman down, you do technically have room to carry Erne and Bastian until Bichsel gets back.
I suppose I WORRY that Erne will have a spot over 10/49 simply because he’s Gulutzan’s “guy” from Edmonton.
But to the other point, having 8 defenders does seem a bit luxurious.
My top 9 lines would be
Benn Wyatt Rant -good chemistry!
Robo Hintz Bourque/Ricky
Steel Duchene Bourque/Ricky
Steel needs new sticks! His don’t score!