Monty: If You’re Generating, You Play. If not...

[John Cocktoastin]

Sounds about right to me. And most of the players.

In the last week or so, Montgomery has made a lot of decisions, from limiting Jordan Kyrou’s shifts in the third period of a 4-2 loss to the Buffalo Sabres on Monday to making newcomer Jonatan Berggren a healthy scratch. He’s shown a lot of trust in rookie Otto Stenberg, playing him on the second line and on the penalty kill. He’s also had a few honest conversations with Jimmy Snuggerud and Tyler Tucker, keeping up communication with the younger players.

In early November, Montgomery made Kyrou a healthy scratch. On Monday, in a game the Blues trailed 3-2, Kyrou played just four shifts and 2:21 in the third period.

“He needs to move his feet,” Montgomery said. “He’s a weapon when he moves his feet and he’s skating, he’s creating turnovers, he’s skating pucks wide. I just didn’t see him doing those things.”

Asked about the responsibility of holding all of the team’s high-end players accountable, Montgomery said, “It is hard, just because, we’re losing 3-2. You want your best offensive weapons out there. When they’re not generating and they’re off of the standard that you expect from them, that’s when you’ve got to pull back on them because there’s other players. (But) I would prefer our offensive weapons to be out there.”

"Professional sports are about winning, and as coaches, we resonate with players who have (good) sticks, stop on pucks, and win one-on-one battles. When you do that, you’re not going to come out of the lineup.”

“Monty is an honest coach,” Berggren said. “If you do the hard work every day, you will get your chances. That’s fair, and that’s something I like. I’ve got to just keep doing it.”

After one game in the pressbox, was on the top line in Tuesday’s practice.

[MiamiLaw]

You know, I appreciate what Monty is saying but what he says does not explain his baffling use of Sunny. In the right position, the guy can be an asset but he is beyond overexposed with how he is being used. The eye test and stats back that up. He hasn't been doing to big things or the little things well yet continues to receive prime ice time.

I'm no fan of Buch but at least he has the talent to produce some points, so I assume Monty is referring to him as being hard to not put other there, but Sunny does not fit that mold at all...

[TruBlueFan_1970]

You know, I appreciate what Monty is saying but what he says does not explain his baffling use of Sunny. In the right position, the guy can be an asset but he is beyond overexposed with how he is being used. The eye test and stats back that up. He hasn't been doing to big things or the little things well yet continues to receive prime ice time.

I'm no fan of Buch but at least he has the talent to produce some points, so I assume Monty is referring to him as being hard to not put other there, but Sunny does not fit that mold at all...

Sunny last 15 games: 0g, 0a, -14
Buch last 15 games: 4g, 6a, +1

I know you shared the advanced stats with me the other day, but here’s the eye test plus production for me. Buch has played better more recently, but still makes a bunch of boneheaded offensive plays. Sunny is just plain bad. Not sure how a -14 and zero points gets you 12-14 minutes of TOI per game. He should be sitting.

[John Cocktoastin]

I hear what you guys are saying. Love Sunny, but not sure how much he has left in the tank. He was a valuable guy up and down the lineup for the Cup run.

On the other side of the equation, I'd like to see more Fabbri out there. His all around play has been fun to watch.

[Old_Goat]

You know, I appreciate what Monty is saying but what he says does not explain his baffling use of Sunny. In the right position, the guy can be an asset but he is beyond overexposed with how he is being used. The eye test and stats back that up. He hasn't been doing to big things or the little things well yet continues to receive prime ice time.

I'm no fan of Buch but at least he has the talent to produce some points, so I assume Monty is referring to him as being hard to not put other there, but Sunny does not fit that mold at all...

I agree. I appreciate Sunny's smarts, but it is not enough. In some ways he is kind of like Maroon...great team guy, very slow, plays smart, probably good to have around in certain situations, I guess including playoffs and end of game laying it all out to hold-on to the lead. One of those guys whom if you let him go, there may be some questioning why & what if. But in the meantime, you have much less chance to get to those situations with him out there.

[fish]

About the only time I don’t mind seeing Sunny out there is on the PK, unfortunately he absolutely kills the powerplay when he’s on one of the units

[stlblue06]

About the only time I don’t mind seeing Sunny out there is on the PK, unfortunately he absolutely kills the powerplay when he’s on one of the units

If we are going to complain about the PP look no further than that 1st unit. They have barely got set up at all in their last 2 games. Fowler can’t receive or make a pass. Buch is brutal. Thomas is way off. Jake has stone hands

[Harry S Deals]

You know, I appreciate what Monty is saying but what he says does not explain his baffling use of Sunny. In the right position, the guy can be an asset but he is beyond overexposed with how he is being used. The eye test and stats back that up. He hasn't been doing to big things or the little things well yet continues to receive prime ice time.

I'm no fan of Buch but at least he has the talent to produce some points, so I assume Monty is referring to him as being hard to not put other there, but Sunny does not fit that mold at all...

I agree. I appreciate Sunny's smarts, but it is not enough. In some ways he is kind of like Maroon...great team guy, very slow, plays smart, probably good to have around in certain situations, I guess including playoffs and end of game laying it all out to hold-on to the lead. One of those guys whom if you let him go, there may be some questioning why & what if. But in the meantime, you have much less chance to get to those situations with him out there.

The Blues are trying to set a standard of play with detail and responsibility and Sunny exemplifies this. Every time he is out there Sunny works hard he doesnt miss checks, his stops and starts are good, his puck pursuit is good basically he does everything a winning culture wants. Yes Sunny is extremely offensively challenged he does not contribute much else, Sunny should be a 4th center on a good team. The Blues are re establishing this level of plasy as ROR, Perron, Bozak, all those cup winners have left and now there are a lot of young unexperienced kids coming.

[smilinjoefission]

Unless you are Torop or Sunny then you play no matter what. Beggren was generating, yet.... Monty is an idiot, a one-hit wonder who failed in the playoffs and proving every game he ain't "the one"

[Bacchk29]

You know, I appreciate what Monty is saying but what he says does not explain his baffling use of Sunny. In the right position, the guy can be an asset but he is beyond overexposed with how he is being used. The eye test and stats back that up. He hasn't been doing to big things or the little things well yet continues to receive prime ice time.

I'm no fan of Buch but at least he has the talent to produce some points, so I assume Monty is referring to him as being hard to not put other there, but Sunny does not fit that mold at all...

I agree. I appreciate Sunny's smarts, but it is not enough. In some ways he is kind of like Maroon...great team guy, very slow, plays smart, probably good to have around in certain situations, I guess including playoffs and end of game laying it all out to hold-on to the lead. One of those guys whom if you let him go, there may be some questioning why & what if. But in the meantime, you have much less chance to get to those situations with him out there.

The Blues are trying to set a standard of play with detail and responsibility and Sunny exemplifies this. Every time he is out there Sunny works hard he doesnt miss checks, his stops and starts are good, his puck pursuit is good basically he does everything a winning culture wants. Yes Sunny is extremely offensively challenged he does not contribute much else, Sunny should be a 4th center on a good team. The Blues are re establishing this level of plasy as ROR, Perron, Bozak, all those cup winners have left and now there are a lot of young unexperienced kids coming.

One of the worst statistical players on the team, but he works hard. Ok. Meanwhile let’s hold one of your 3 top forwards out of the lineup in a 3-2 game when you’re last in the league in scoring. Not holding the other two accountable - they get minutes every night regardless. Go to Kyrou’s agent and work something out to move him. Stop the insanity.

[Harry York 37]

You know, I appreciate what Monty is saying but what he says does not explain his baffling use of Sunny. In the right position, the guy can be an asset but he is beyond overexposed with how he is being used. The eye test and stats back that up. He hasn't been doing to big things or the little things well yet continues to receive prime ice time.

I'm no fan of Buch but at least he has the talent to produce some points, so I assume Monty is referring to him as being hard to not put other there, but Sunny does not fit that mold at all...

I don't know who would be better as 4C. I welcome alternatives. He should be a wing if he plays on a good team. He was a devastating winger on the Cup team. Steen, dropping to the bottom line "for the good of the team" as a crafty, mean 4C. Barbie on the other wing. Everyone on that line could hammer you, or make a decent play.

[MiamiLaw]

About the only time I don’t mind seeing Sunny out there is on the PK, unfortunately he absolutely kills the powerplay when he’s on one of the units

Yea he’s well suited for the PK but having him on the powerplay is laughable

[Bacchk29]

This thread cracks me up. Who’s generating anything on this team besides Justin Faulk? Is he benching the entire team lol?

[MiamiLaw]

You know, I appreciate what Monty is saying but what he says does not explain his baffling use of Sunny. In the right position, the guy can be an asset but he is beyond overexposed with how he is being used. The eye test and stats back that up. He hasn't been doing to big things or the little things well yet continues to receive prime ice time.

I'm no fan of Buch but at least he has the talent to produce some points, so I assume Monty is referring to him as being hard to not put other there, but Sunny does not fit that mold at all...

I don't know who would be better as 4C. I welcome alternatives. He should be a wing if he plays on a good team. He was a devastating winger on the Cup team. Steen, dropping to the bottom line "for the good of the team" as a crafty, mean 4C. Barbie on the other wing. Everyone on that line could hammer you, or make a decent play.

I don't mind him as a 4C (though I agree he should be a winger ideally) but he gets minutes way beyond 4C, including power play time.

[TruBlueFan_1970]

You know, I appreciate what Monty is saying but what he says does not explain his baffling use of Sunny. In the right position, the guy can be an asset but he is beyond overexposed with how he is being used. The eye test and stats back that up. He hasn't been doing to big things or the little things well yet continues to receive prime ice time.

I'm no fan of Buch but at least he has the talent to produce some points, so I assume Monty is referring to him as being hard to not put other there, but Sunny does not fit that mold at all...

I don't know who would be better as 4C. I welcome alternatives. He should be a wing if he plays on a good team. He was a devastating winger on the Cup team. Steen, dropping to the bottom line "for the good of the team" as a crafty, mean 4C. Barbie on the other wing. Everyone on that line could hammer you, or make a decent play.

I don't mind him as a 4C (though I agree he should be a winger ideally) but he gets minutes way beyond 4C, including power play time.

Agree. He should be 4C/wing and on the PK getting no more than 10 minutes a game. Having him on the PP is just dumb. He can’t skate, pass or shoot. He is basically there to stand in front of the net, but with Buch and Thomas forcing passes and losing possession, he never gets to stand there. Find better options.

[JoshInFenton]

I'll say this, Sunny does do a few thing well and he does throw his body in the line of fire a lot defensively against some of the better forwards in the league. He's got the will but not the way. So i'd be more along the yes to 6-7 minutes no to 13-15. And a presser visit every 3rd or 4th game.

With that being said though, until Thomas or Buch get demoted when they aren't producing, it's all a hollow threat.