ratonmono2 wrote: ↑02 Aug 2026 12:06 pm
If we are depending on flipping McT and McMichael for the 2nd line C position, the season is going to be a long one.
I see zero evidence to support that dread.
McMichael just isn't a good C. McTavish has proven himself there so if he's being shifted to wing, something has gone awry.
I can't debate his past, I only know his assets.
What system did he fail within?
Who were his linemates?
ratonmono2 wrote: ↑02 Aug 2026 12:06 pm
If we are depending on flipping McT and McMichael for the 2nd line C position, the season is going to be a long one.
I see zero evidence to support that dread.
McMichael just isn't a good C. McTavish has proven himself there so if he's being shifted to wing, something has gone awry.
I can't debate his past, I only know his assets.
What system did he fail within?
Who were his linemates?
He didn't fail, his game is just suited better for wing. He saw a lot of success with Dubois and Wilson/Protas with Dubois as their constant center. McT is the one whose utilization can explain some of his awful metrics as he had been saddled with some (bleep) poor linemates in Anaheim. I'm not dreading anything, the proposal of moving McMichael to C is just not a realistic one under expected circumstances. I actually like the composition of the line more or less, as I've come around a bit on McTavish looking deeper into the circumstances as to why his metrics look so poor.
Don’t see it. Both have had their issues at C but McT is also only 23. Maybe he doesn’t end up great at C but I like his chances of sticking there better than McMichael.
But I’m sure the Blues will try all sorts of options if McT shows he’s not the best candidate for the job, with the most obvious next option probably being McM. But I absolutely expect McT to get the first crack at it.
I would disagree on the grounds that I’m not sure we really know what kind of defensive game McTavish really has. He’s played on some absolute trash teams and has been asked to carry some pretty trash linemates(Vatrano, a completely shut down Zegras and a carousel of rookies). I don’t think his “rating” as the “2nd worst defensive player in the league” is even remotely fair or accurate. I want to see him in our system before deciding on his defensive game.
Furthermore, the one area I can make an informed opinion on is McTavish’s faceoff ability. McTavish is above average in the dot with 2 seasons already above 50%. McMichael, on the other hand is terrible there with a career 43%. That is Buchnevich level bad. Even if McMichael is the better defensive player; I keep McTavish at center for the draw and cycle the positions mid-play.
kimzey59 wrote: ↑02 Aug 2026 14:10 pm
I would disagree on the grounds that I’m not sure we really know what kind of defensive game McTavish really has. He’s played on some absolute trash teams and has been asked to carry some pretty trash linemates(Vatrano, a completely shut down Zegras and a carousel of rookies). I don’t think his “rating” as the “2nd worst defensive player in the league” is even remotely fair or accurate. I want to see him in our system before deciding on his defensive game.
Furthermore, the one area I can make an informed opinion on is McTavish’s faceoff ability. McTavish is above average in the dot with 2 seasons already above 50%. McMichael, on the other hand is terrible there with a career 43%. That is Buchnevich level bad. Even if McMichael is the better defensive player; I keep McTavish at center for the draw and cycle the positions mid-play.
Agreed. I've been critical of the McTavish deal but inspecting the circumstances that produced his awful metrics tells a fuller tale.
kimzey59 wrote: ↑02 Aug 2026 14:10 pm
I would disagree on the grounds that I’m not sure we really know what kind of defensive game McTavish really has. He’s played on some absolute trash teams and has been asked to carry some pretty trash linemates(Vatrano, a completely shut down Zegras and a carousel of rookies). I don’t think his “rating” as the “2nd worst defensive player in the league” is even remotely fair or accurate. I want to see him in our system before deciding on his defensive game.
Furthermore, the one area I can make an informed opinion on is McTavish’s faceoff ability. McTavish is above average in the dot with 2 seasons already above 50%. McMichael, on the other hand is terrible there with a career 43%. That is Buchnevich level bad. Even if McMichael is the better defensive player; I keep McTavish at center for the draw and cycle the positions mid-play.
Agreed. I've been critical of the McTavish deal but inspecting the circumstances that produced his awful metrics tells a fuller tale.
I agree that there were mitigating circumstances regarding McTavish last year. The Little Ball of Hate just loves to ruin player relationships. I appreciate MN reminding me that he is only a couple years older than DVO. I don’t like the idea of two “not-fast” Centers in our middle six. McTavish has never been regarded as a high end playmaker, yet McMichael is.
I was unaware of McMichael’s dismal FO stats and that is concerning. I cut him slack as he was moved around, not unlike Buchnevich last year. The moved him back to C in mid January when he had 30 points in 38 games as a winger … and he struggled. He still had 50% more assists than McTavish last year.
I think they will give it a shot and I think it could be a very good thing, FO stats notwithstanding.
kimzey59 wrote: ↑02 Aug 2026 14:10 pm
I would disagree on the grounds that I’m not sure we really know what kind of defensive game McTavish really has. He’s played on some absolute trash teams and has been asked to carry some pretty trash linemates(Vatrano, a completely shut down Zegras and a carousel of rookies). I don’t think his “rating” as the “2nd worst defensive player in the league” is even remotely fair or accurate. I want to see him in our system before deciding on his defensive game.
Furthermore, the one area I can make an informed opinion on is McTavish’s faceoff ability. McTavish is above average in the dot with 2 seasons already above 50%. McMichael, on the other hand is terrible there with a career 43%. That is Buchnevich level bad. Even if McMichael is the better defensive player; I keep McTavish at center for the draw and cycle the positions mid-play.
In an ideal world, McMichael would play 2C. His hockey sense, speed, and playmaking support that idea.
It seems he can get bogged down at center, like Buchnevich, overthinking and playing deep in his own zone and carrying far more defensive liability. It hinders his breakout speed, which is impressive when plays wing and is relatively less bound to his own zone.
Sucks how things that look perfect on paper don’t translate smoothly to the ice.
It could happen.
At any rate, we have some talented young players to work with.
Seems to me that if the Blues thought either Mickey M or Devo were ready to be 2C this year they wouldn't have traded for Mickey T. And if they didn't think Mickey T was capable of playing 2C they wouldn't have traded for him. I have to trust their judgement over guys sitting in their underpants making (bleep) up.
leedog68 wrote: ↑02 Aug 2026 16:26 pm
Seems to me that if the Blues thought either Mickey M or Devo were ready to be 2C this year they wouldn't have traded for Mickey T. And if they didn't think Mickey T was capable of playing 2C they wouldn't have traded for him. I have to trust their judgement over guys sitting in their underpants making (bleep) up.
You have an interesting mind with and distressing lack of imagination. Except in fantasizations of people when they think about the best positions for hockey players.
Why do you picture characters in their underpants?
What have these characters “made up”?
Buchnevich has been a Center and a Wing in three seasons. So has McMichael.
Those things happened. They are not made up.
Do you picture the Hockey professionals who made the decisions to change their positions- more than once- in their underpants?
Harry York 37 wrote: ↑02 Aug 2026 11:33 am
Mac, Mac, Buch.... I like the sound, that's for sure.
From what I see, and trust, McMichael has gotta be the 2C.
It doesn't matter if McTavish prefers Center- this combination is far better in every way.
I hope Mason takes this in stride and helps this line become one of the better second lines in the league, and the strongest we've seen in a good while.
from what i've read, McMichael is much better as a winger.
and from what videos I've watched, McTavish doesn't strike me as a C
McMichael probably is better as a winger. However, his skills match up far better on this team- and with these linemates- as a Center. He is much faster that Mason, is a better playmaker, and is much more defensively reliable.
McTavish is a born winger- strong ferocious and a better finisher that Connor.
Swapping 'em up seems very prudent.
don't disagree
Won’t exactly be a speed line. I wish we’d trade Buch.
Harry York 37 wrote: ↑02 Aug 2026 11:33 am
Mac, Mac, Buch.... I like the sound, that's for sure.
From what I see, and trust, McMichael has gotta be the 2C.
It doesn't matter if McTavish prefers Center- this combination is far better in every way.
I hope Mason takes this in stride and helps this line become one of the better second lines in the league, and the strongest we've seen in a good while.
from what i've read, McMichael is much better as a winger.
and from what videos I've watched, McTavish doesn't strike me as a C
McMichael probably is better as a winger. However, his skills match up far better on this team- and with these linemates- as a Center. He is much faster that Mason, is a better playmaker, and is much more defensively reliable.
McTavish is a born winger- strong ferocious and a better finisher that Connor.
Swapping 'em up seems very prudent.
don't disagree
Won’t exactly be a speed line. I wish we’d trade Buch.
I don't believe Buch is considered anything less than fast. Not Supreme fast, but fast. McMichael is even faster. I am eager to watch McMichael accelerate and move with the puck. That will be a fast line except for McTavish. He is he best finisher and the hardest and fastest on the puck in dirty areas.
That can be an excellent second line. CMac carrying the puck and making the entrance with speed and smooth deception. Buch is likely the best puck distributor and Mason Mac will put it in the net.
It would be nice to see DVO's rifle from the right side, but Buch deserves the shot. He gets to play with two hard -working and very skilled players. I am eager to watch that as well.
I was wrong about Buchnevich’s speed, but he is not slow for his position, just average.
It has been said the he slows the game down to make plays. It’s for a reason.
He is probably the best playmaker on that line.
They could be very fun to watch.
