Toropchenko

[Old_Goat]

If Torpedo hurt at all or is this strictly a lineup decision? If it is then that is trouble for Torpo, because last year Torpedo took a step back in the offensive department. He was loved here because he's a big body and was seen as useful situationally. If Bjuk and Suter have taken over some PK time and guys like Joseph have upped their physicality, all the sudden there's more skill in the lineup without him.

I like Torpedo, hopefully this team has a good rotation going with the role players to keep guys fresh.

He’s hurt. All we know is “both upper and lower body.” Doesn’t sound longterm or anything though.

I like Torpo but he did score a lot less last season. I’d like to see him drive hard to the net more like he did before.

It’ll be interesting to see how they handle him. He’s an ideal 4th liner but depending on how much of a raise he wants, he could become expendable. I see Dylan Peterson developing into a similar type of 4th liner.

To me the driving the net is the biggest difference between his "successful" years and last. He had a good chunk of close dirty area goals in 23-24 which were really needed on that team. The fourth line in the playoffs were fantastic last year, but I think a lot of that was driven by how good Radek Faksa gelled with that group. He was a hard as nails on pucks, great defensively, and had good vision for a 4th line center.

It feels to me Toro matches his center's identity, when paired with Sunny he did all the defensive things right and got his body to the front of the net where he was rewarded for his size/strength. Last year, with Faksa the skill level of the line increased but there is a ceiling there which I think might get exposed again this year if Bjugstad remains centering that 4th line when Sunny is ready.

I agree with you guys that his lacking of driving to the net was a problem. To me specifically it was the outside in move that Tarasenko would do. Torpedo did the same move the previous years but wasn't as skilled but his move would create chaos.

As far as 4th line goes, we are more skilled without Faksa, worse on possession/face offs.

Absolutely, swinging wide, protecting the puck and driving to the net. He's a beast...disruptive. He gives 100%. Limited to 4th line duty though. I like him on the team... no bad feeling, but if it makes sense for him to move on, or for us to move on from him, we can be okay without him. Though the power, the size, the heart & effort and spirit should not be taken for granted.

[dhsux]

A buddy and I were JUST talking about him. He brings a lot to the table, size, speed, he seems to know what and where he’s supposed to be, but he’s got hands of stone and therefore his usefulness is greatly diminished.
If Monty got Tex and Joseph straightened out, I don’t see where he or even Sunny have a place here.

Torpo has some decent hands. He scored a highlight reel goal agaisnt Montreal a while back. He just doesn't get a ton of chances.

Blues have the right type depth in the right positions. Compeittion is good.

I love the guy Bud but a bit surprised you rank his hands as a big plus.

I think his "touch" is his biggest drawback to truly breaking through....he offers a lot in other areas and it has taken him this far.

Hope he's back soon....and scoring as he did the prior year.