Texier vs Joseph

[StLouis-4Life2]

When Buch is healthy moved back to the third line...who do you think plays the other wing Texier of Johnson...not sure how we keep Texier offensive potential out of the lineup and Joseph seems more 4th line but I don't see how you break up the WTF line

[brianstlou2]

Texier does nothing for me. Yes he scored on the PP but that was a great pass from Thomas. Other than that, I haven’t seen much the last 2 games. The first game he gave up and didn’t back check on one of the final pushes to score. I get that a player would be rusty for lack of playing but if you’re not playing you cannot be seen giving up and not playing defense when you are the last man. He floats a lot. I do hope he contributes just enough for another team to trade something for him after the year.

Give me Joseph and his speed and tenacity, forechecking any day of the week. Not saying Joseph is the end all be all, but compared to Tex, there’s no question Joseph stays in.

[Russdv14]

pretty accurate description fro the last poster.
Joseph and Walker are now playing a similar sytle and it is contagious. Look at Torpo's revival too. These guys are put out in all situations....but I don;t look at Texier's ablity the same way. Maybe with time, but he does not seem to have a particular identity yet

[Harry York 37]

Joseph's guts and hustle are admirable assets. He plays great defensive hockey and I don’t think anyone is faster than he can be.

Texier was better yesterday than the game before, when he looked awful and Sunny was ailing. If he makes the most of this chance, and if he can EVER stay healthy enough, he might, then you can give Joseph a rest.
I can only see that happening if one of two things happen and neither are likely to happen.
Buch stays out, and both DD and Texier bring offensive firepower ( and competent defense) to the third line like it hasn’t seen all year. They might try a healthy Sundqvist with those two and play him at his natural Right Wing.

Or, Buch comes back and Bolduc returns to line three. If either Texier OR Dvorsky are making noise offensively and playing competent defense, they may want Bolduc with more offensively gifted mates.

For Joseph to sit, a couple of guys need to get healthy, and a couple of unproven guys would need to do some proving.

[smilinjoefission]

Joseph is a hitter...Texier isn't, and right now the Blues game is all about hitting and physical play.

[blackinkbiz]

Joseph has gone from a DEI hire to try to replace him and you must DIE.

He's fantastic for the role he's in. I can't remember the last time I saw a Blues team with this much speed. Maybe never.

TEX on the other hand ... bleh. Pretty much sums it up.

[aslord]

I'm not sure it's down to just those 2, although if that's the choice I sit Texier every time. Dvorsky has played low minutes in 1 game. Chances are good he sees the bench when Buch returns. I guess it depends on how he performs between now and then. Assuming he is given the opportunity.

[TBone]

When Buch is healthy moved back to the third line...who do you think plays the other wing Texier of Johnson...not sure how we keep Texier offensive potential out of the lineup and Joseph seems more 4th line but I don't see how you break up the WTF line

You don't. The defensive tenacity across all the lines is what's fueling everything.

The last thing you do is bench someone who's working theirass off for potential offensive upside. Not now at least.

[Kilokaai]

I am really surprised at the apparent disdain for Texier on the forum, I see a lot of potential there in most games he plays and his point production per game is better as well than most of the 3rd/4th line options.

Fancy stats would tell us that the original iteration on the 3rd line wasn't a very good one (every one the line's stats were pretty poor). Texier is not slow and does a very good job at maintaining control in board battles from my eye test. IMO he needs a bit more time to see what is there, it feels like a situation where if his life off the ice is getting better then I see why we took a flyer on him.

I don't disagree that the the secret sauce for the team is an aggressive team focused system which might not be the best role for him. I do however think he is skilled enough to be a top 6 forward in the NHL down the line. He does a lot of things well in our limited viewing exposure.

[Corban84]

Different players with different roles. I would keep sunny and DD out during the push. I like Joseph and Tex.

[callitwhatyouwant]

I am really surprised at the apparent disdain for Texier on the forum, I see a lot of potential there in most games he plays and his point production per game is better as well than most of the 3rd/4th line options.

Fancy stats would tell us that the original iteration on the 3rd line wasn't a very good one (every one the line's stats were pretty poor). Texier is not slow and does a very good job at maintaining control in board battles from my eye test. IMO he needs a bit more time to see what is there, it feels like a situation where if his life off the ice is getting better then I see why we took a flyer on him.

I don't disagree that the the secret sauce for the team is an aggressive team focused system which might not be the best role for him. I do however think he is skilled enough to be a top 6 forward in the NHL down the line. He does a lot of things well in our limited viewing exposure.

There was a stat the other day posted to reddit that showed the NHL's best players for expected goals against when in the lineup. Bolduc and And Sunny were both top ten in the league and minimum requirement was 500 minutes played. It's interesting Joseph wasn't on that list, but Joseph has played on multiple lines. Anyways, whatever that 3rd line is doing, it's doing what the team is asking. It's hard to break it up except out of necessity. The interesting part of this team is that Texier and Joseph are signed for another year with the Blues, as is Sunny/Walker/Torps. It seems logical that DD goes 3rd line and Sunny drops to 4th, but Faksa has more than earned an extension. We are going to have an odd man out somewhere because Snuggs is getting a 1-3 line wing spot. You aren't breaking up the 2nd line next year. It's been too good for too long now to mess with that. Your only movement can happen on the 1 line and 3rd line. And to me that's an awesome place to be in, but uncomfortable for a guy like Texier who shouldn't be cut, but hasn't shown to be the every day guy.

[DawgDad]

The Blues will soon have internal competition among skilled players vying for ice time at the NHL level, beyond just 4th liners and 3rd pairing guys. This is a good thing.

[callitwhatyouwant]

The Blues will soon have internal competition among skilled players vying for ice time at the NHL level, beyond just 4th liners and 3rd pairing guys. This is a good thing.

it will ultimately be interesting to see what direction they go with the 4th line. The Blues have the luxury that Joseph can be 4th line, and up the level of play that Walker can offer. He's not quite the pisser Walker is, but he is no slouch himself. Him and Torps would be burning people with speed/size and heavy play. So Joseph is safe. Faksa has played exactly how you want a 4th liner to play, but Sunny is arguably the heart and soul of the team from the players perspective. I have a feeling the list of locker room guys starts with Schenn, and then you can't get very far before Sunny's name pops up. So he has a 4th line spot if they decide not to extend Faksa. They have a chance to do something crazy and go Texier/DD/Neighbours. And 1st line Buchy/Thomas/Snuggs. Whether that is appropriate for Snuggs or not next year would be up for debate. But it would give us our top tier 2nd line, and have a chance to make the 3rd line an explosive line with Neighbours being the young guys that plays the right way. You can't go Texier/DD/Snuggs, so if DD/Snuggs are 3rd lining next year, Texier will see the bench or they will find him a new home.

[StLouis-4Life2]

I wouldn't rush Buch back right now...Texier with another