Marc Staal Is Ready To Play Tomorrow

That's some good news.

I think he'll play with Allen. Wonder who comes out. I would guess Moore or MDZ. And when Stralman comes back they both may sit if Allen plays well.

I would guess 1 to 2 more weeks for Cally. Still in a non-contact jersey.

 

Michael Del Zotto is having a “lengthy” chat with Ulf Samuelsson at practice. (Andrew Gross)


I think Falk stays in. Going to be DZ or Moore sitting for Staal I believe, and I lean towards Moore sitting.

 

The lines at practice (Brett Cyrgalis)
-Defense:Marc Staal and Conor Allen
-Ryan McDonagh and Dan Girardi
-Michael Del Zotto and Anton Stralman
-John Moore and Justin Falk


-Chris Kreider, Derek Stepan, Rick Nash (Ryan Callahan skating in)
-Derick Brassard, Brad Richards, Mats Zuccarello
-Carl Hagelin, JT Miller, Benoit Pouliot
-Brian Boyle, Dominic Moore, Derek Dorsett

 

Interesting that they gave Allen about 15 min yesterday. He was even in with 2 min left to go, in a 1 goal game. Coaches must have confidence in him, and more importantly he seems confident handling and carrying the puck. That's key in AV's system.

 

He played 15:47 total, but 7 in the 3rd, so confidence went up as the game went on.

Alain Vigneault said after the game, “he was one of our better Ds. He out played some of the other guys and deserved to be out there. He was poised with the puck, not afraid to take a hit to make a play. That is why he got that ice time.”

 

It's getting to the point, where if they deal DZ, they will not get much in return. If he was going to be dealt, it should have been done long ago, and he should not be a healthy scratch.

 

I would keep del z right now and keep playing him and build up the trade value. Maybe the light bulb goes off and he figures out av's system. Much more talented and can do more things to me than moore and falk.

 

That's just it Mel, if they don't play him, his value goes down

 

Just don't understand this move

 

Not defending it but this team cannot score because Nash, Stepan and Richards are pretty much worthless at even strength right now. Here we have a 1-0 defecit and it feels like the game is over. MDZ has been giving up some rushes lately and AV probably feels like this team cant give up any goals. Its beyond annoying though watching him rot and decreasing his already low value. He should have been traded a month ago

 

To be honest it's not just DZ, every defenseman on this team makes stupid mistakes. However, in a trade, I think DZ has more value. But he needs to play ...