Funny how 2 days off seems like we haven't had a game in a week.
So, some interesting developments in the past 48 hours. Travis Hamonic has had a left side upper body injury that has had him in and out of practice over the past 48 hours. He is optimistic about playing tonight but will be a closer to gametime decision.
Also on the D front, looks like we may well have The Viz back in the fold this evening. "A good chance" he plays, according to Cappy. Having 6 top-four quality defensemen sure is a nice feeling: Boychuk-Leddy, Hamonic-DeHaan, Viz-Hickey.
Grabovski, who initially was ruled not to have a concussion, woke up Friday with concussion symptoms and is undergoing the concission protocols. Looks like he's still a few games away and may be an IR candidate. However, he participated in the morning skate today, so that's positive. If he is out for any appreciable length of time, the Isles may well look into bringing up Anders Lee, who won Sunday's game for BPT with an OT goal 41 seconds into the extra frame.
Some additional prospect notes:
Victor Crus-Rydberg is 2-8-10 in 10 games for Plymouth (OHL)
Josh Ho-Sang is 2-5-7 in 3 games for Windsor (OHL)
Michael Dal Colle is 5-7-12 in 7 games for Oshawa (OHL)
For tonight's game, Halak gets the start in goal. D pairs to be announced later. Probable forwards (note the RW switch on L2 and L3):
89 Cory Conacher 91 John Tavares 21 Kyle Okposo
86 Nikolay Kulemin 29 Brock Nelson 15 Cal Clutterbuck
12 Josh Bailey 51 Frans Nielsen 18 Ryan Strome
17 Matt Martin 53 Casey Cizikas 13 Colin McDonald
First goal prediction: Kulemin, just to stick it to Tronno.
What's the deal? Spin the wheel.
If the dice are hot -- take a shot.
Play your cards. Show us what you got --
What you're holding.
If the cards are cold,
Don't go folding.
Lady Luck is golden;
She favors the bold.
Not looking forward to cmac so hopefully he either comes back quick or goes on IR SK Lee can come up
Great insight again as well. Thanks. Let's get back on another roll tonight. Not much interest in the baseball game so i'll be focusing on the Isles...
JT continues his onslaught.
and still not really a fan of conacher on the top line.
no complaints about the defense or goal tending thus far for me.
wonder when well see CJ in goal again. no back to back games on the horizon
Also, Darcy-f@$&*!#g-Tucker ruined Peca's career, and a chance for the Isles to do damage in 1993.
Let's also not forget Tiger Williams in the 1978 playoffs, nearly killing Mike Bossy.
Yes, I have a memory of a hockey elephant.
I want to see the Isles beat the snot out of the Leafs every time.
I will be watching the game from my game center at my hotel in China. Yep. I'm a diehard lol.
LGI. First goal...Frans.
No official IR for Grabbo (yet).
As for the Loafs, how can you get tired of watching Cairns beat the piss out of Corson, or Bates' penalty shot against Cujo?
I'd like to see clutterbuck on first line tonight,protecting Tavares back.
I guess with no 1st rounder next year, Snow had to be smart and safe. I think it'll work out.
And this from Staple:
Hickey-Hamonic
de Haan-Strait
Rats. No Viz.
glad Hamonic is OK. Need his toughness.. this isn't an overly physical team lol
on his game compared to John Tavares 'Talent-wise, there's not too much difference, too be honest.'
hint: it's NOT Stamkos or McDavid lol
no google
no youtube
no twitter
no porn
how do the Chinese get by???
also, great trades Garf!!
And Johnny Rocket just almost killed McDonald.
Upper bowl is at 50% it seems
LOL...good one.
what is the definition of insanity?
A lot of good opportunities and hard shots. Need to put it in the net though
Wish we had Grabs. Could really use a shortie here.
K. There's no reason conacher is on line one. I know he's new but when you get put on JTs wing its highlighted. Produce or gtfo
If he could, he'd play cizikas and martin for an entire period
Crowd was pretty dead after the 30 min mark.
Fuck'n A
Nice quote from Boychuk:
In-Season Extention "Not out of the Question" - ( New Window )
And to answer the Hickey question, he's back at practice today:
Hoping to see Lee replace Conacher in the lineup.
Thanks for the prospect update PGANUT!
I think Conacher would be a good fit on the 4th line. That line has looked awful this year. Conacher/Cizikas/Clutterbuck would be better 4th line than what we've previously done.
Some early thoughts. I am not a big fan of Conacher. Seems to be bringing nothing to the table. On the other side of that I friggin love Leddy and Boychuck. Finally I really thought Halak was going to be better than he has played. Dude has been really up and down.
Lee likely to form a line with Nelson & Strome.
They just needed a spot on the roster with viz coming back also. They refuse to just waive donovan or boulton for no reason. Grabovski will prob be back next week and then one of the beloved guys Strait, Donovan or Boulton will have to go unless they get an "upper body injury"
Lee likely to form a line with Nelson & Strome.
Why am I not surprised that Conacher stays on top line? The coach is just braindead. If Lee isnt going on that line, then put Bailey there but please for the love of God, ENOUGH CONACHER!!
so, McDonald waived AND Grabo to IR?? Very interesting.
It will be interesting when Grabovski and Grabner come back. At that point, I would like to see Conacher off the top line. He has no business there. Maybe shift Lee to the top line and have Grabovski goe back to the second line.