Anyone disappointed in Broberg thus far?

[seattleblue]

Fischer and Burns are players who play mean, they are the lefties who will deliver punishing playoff hits once they are on the roster.

on the meta part of the discussion. Probably the best documentary I have ever seen, and honestly think a top 50 film ever made, is Errol Morris' The Fog of War (2003) which just recently got added back to Criterion Channel streaming after being hard to find for awhile. One of the stories Robert McNamara tells is about the Cuban Missile Crisis. He said right at the end when the two sides were seemingly intractably stuck and heading toward irreversible brinksmanship and true nuclear war, Khrushchev sent one telegram offering to settle and a few hours later they got another telegram written by the hard liners saying the opposite. What did they do? They responded to the settlement telegram and life on earth as we know it didn't end.

That informs my perspective on the topic at hand. It's up to everyone to pick the telegram they want to respond to.

[theograce]

He hasn’t shined but also not disappointed. But I also have more modest expectations for him than I feel some do.

Agree that he is a bit soft. But tbh, most of this younger generation is. Super gritty players are just super hard to come by these days.

That said, Broberg isn’t as green as some of the other youngsters. This is his 4th year playing NHL playoff games and he’s now played in 22 of them, same amount as Buchy, one less than Kyrou.

Agree that why they’re losing this series isn’t the defense though. It’s lack of offense. The Blues just don’t have the depth to make up for the loss of Holloway.

Soft on the puck and soft coverage are biggest gripes as opposed to physicality

[ChooseBlues]

At least Broberg is willing to take a hit to make a play.

Leddy is afraid of his own shadow at this point.

They need to split up Parayko and Fowler. Both need to be the guy starting the outlet. Only one puck. Parayko is deferring too much to Fowler.

Faulk is all over the map. Some good and some bad.

[TBone]

If I felt about him like "future #1LHD STUD" then I would be, but I never put my expectations there so it's not disappointing. I want him to become a really strong second pair player, the kind you can win with in the playoffs. I think that is a more reasonable goal.

Mentally I am here:
I want Fowler to hold up until Lindstein is ready and I think that's reasonable.
Broberg I want to stay right where he is (middle pair) and keep getting better
Parayko I want to play like this for at least 2-3 more years

Faulk's arc is coming to an end soon
Tucker is making himself that 6-7 defender you need
Burns I feel very very good about being a lefty Tucker at least. Incidentally he is captain of an OHL team playing a second round Game 7 tonight at Barrie and if they lose his junior career is done and he could join Springfield.

Suter ... he is one of those "exception to the rule" players so could he provide #5 minutes next year on another similar incentives contract? I'm open to that since we are trying to bridge until Lindstein, Fischer, Burns, and maybe Ralph get there. If he isn't signed next year then this is a relatively easy UFA hurdle.

Faulk is what he is which is adequate. To me it's taking the quality of play we are getting from Faulk and upgrading it by a lot, with an impact player. I think this is a hockey trade type player and that means we are going to have to trade from our offensive depth, probably strong roster player + strong prospect to get this quality of player.

Excellent post. The only thing I've noticed with Broberg is you can tell the hellacious checks in his own end are affecting his play.

And to me this is the common theme in both games: the Blues come out hammering (or trying to hammer) Jet players in both ends then slowly get away from it. They should be punishing Jet defenders on their o zone dump in's and the same in their own end when Jet players try wheeling below our goal line. Instead the Jets are the ones better executing the heavy game that wins in the playoffs. We've got plenty of skill, but we need our young bucks to hit the weight room over the offseason and one or two bigger players to give them room to operate.

We're close. With added maturity and a couple of key additions we can be right there.

[TBone]

24 and younger in the NHL I would go with "kid" and be ok with it
lol when you're more than twice the age, yes.

Especially with a defenseman.

[callitwhatyouwant]

I rate this OP and the whole thread really in the category of utter troll nonsense.

Two players on the Blues have a positive +/-. TWO!

WANNA GUESS WHO ONE OF THEM IS?

Faulk and Broberg have been very responsible. Faulk had one cough up yesterday when he tried to outpuck handle in his own end. Faulk had a couple threatening shots too. I'd like to see Broberg get a little more aggressive in the offensive zone. But he has been a little bit weary of that for some reason unless he gets the break out. A quick factual stat that's meaningful. Broberg averaged 1.4 shots per game during the regular season and has 0. Faulk averaged 1.5 and has 4 total shots so 2 per game. If Broberg got a bit more offensive he would be doing above and beyond what he needs to.

So, the PAIRING which has been the case SHOULD have three shots in two games but has FOUR. Boy, that Broberg kid, he REALLY needs to pick up his game! Utter garbage, an agenda looking for airtime. A ridiculous agenda.

BTW I was agreeing with you. I don't know how I get lopped in the the "agenda". I was saying Faulk and Broberg are doing a good job. The only complaint you could have from the singular Broberg is to maintain his usual aggressiveness in the Ozone or trying to create. I personally don't think the 11-7 was the right move. Our strength is in our 6 defenders. I don't think Tucker being added to the mix makes that any better, unless you want to sub him out for someone but if anyone was exposed last night it was Tucker. Puck was swiss cheese on keep ins multiple times.

Anyways, the Broberg complaints are silly. Yet, here we all are. IT is supposed to be from Edmonton, and has claimed to be from Norcal and has claimed multiple other locations. Broberg has been on IT's hitlist since the signing.

[theograce]

Anyways, the Broberg complaints are silly.

Down to 14 mins of ES time. Yeah it’s silly to assess players. The Blues aren’t …

[DawgDad]

I rate this OP and the whole thread really in the category of utter troll nonsense.

Two players on the Blues have a positive +/-. TWO!

WANNA GUESS WHO ONE OF THEM IS?

Faulk and Broberg have been very responsible. Faulk had one cough up yesterday when he tried to outpuck handle in his own end. Faulk had a couple threatening shots too. I'd like to see Broberg get a little more aggressive in the offensive zone. But he has been a little bit weary of that for some reason unless he gets the break out. A quick factual stat that's meaningful. Broberg averaged 1.4 shots per game during the regular season and has 0. Faulk averaged 1.5 and has 4 total shots so 2 per game. If Broberg got a bit more offensive he would be doing above and beyond what he needs to.

So, the PAIRING which has been the case SHOULD have three shots in two games but has FOUR. Boy, that Broberg kid, he REALLY needs to pick up his game! Utter garbage, an agenda looking for airtime. A ridiculous agenda.

BTW I was agreeing with you. I don't know how I get lopped in the the "agenda". I was saying Faulk and Broberg are doing a good job. The only complaint you could have from the singular Broberg is to maintain his usual aggressiveness in the Ozone or trying to create. I personally don't think the 11-7 was the right move. Our strength is in our 6 defenders. I don't think Tucker being added to the mix makes that any better, unless you want to sub him out for someone but if anyone was exposed last night it was Tucker. Puck was swiss cheese on keep ins multiple times.

Anyways, the Broberg complaints are silly. Yet, here we all are. IT is supposed to be from Edmonton, and has claimed to be from Norcal and has claimed multiple other locations. Broberg has been on IT's hitlist since the signing.

I was adding on to your post.

As for 11/7, it highlights one of the major differences in the two teams, their normal third line (Lowry, Appleton, Tanev) vs the Blues. I think we all expect the 3rd line to be a target for upgrade with Holloway pushing a wing down and Dvorsky being worked into the lineup. Maybe even a trade or FA signing, who knows. Sunny got a goal but going 11/7 is a statement, even if they are protecting a defenseman or two.

[netboy65]

He hasn’t shined but also not disappointed. But I also have more modest expectations for him than I feel some do.

Agree that he is a bit soft. But tbh, most of this younger generation is. Super gritty players are just super hard to come by these days.

That said, Broberg isn’t as green as some of the other youngsters. This is his 4th year playing NHL playoff games and he’s now played in 22 of them, same amount as Buchy, one less than Kyrou.

Agree that why they’re losing this series isn’t the defense though. It’s lack of offense. The Blues just don’t have the depth to make up for the loss of Holloway.

A buddy of mine made a good point. We also need to upgrade the bottom 6, right now they’re never in danger of putting the puck in the net. Yes, you need energy and D from them also but they do need to be able to find the net with a map

Yep. It’s almost as if this is a roster that would be pretty typical of an 8th seeded team. The depth just isn’t there.

I mean, what was our 4th line the Cup season? Barbashev-Sunny-Steen? We still have Sunny but he’s a shell of his 2019 self. Steen was a 1st liner most of his career and on our 4th line then because Father Time and injuries were catching up to him. But he was still an extreme luxury to put on your 4th line. Barbs was above 4th line grade at the time as well and has of course progressed even more in the years since.

Oh for sure, you’re correct, but instead of throwing halfway decent money at Joseph or Texier maybe there’s another way to go? You’re right, Sunny is about done but for $1M I don’t have as big a problem with him.
I said in ‘19 that 4th line was a huge luxury to have, and we need to work toward that. Improve top 6 so you can slide Neighbours down to 3rd line where he might be one of the best 3rd liners in the league, then one of your 3rds goes down to 4th, etc

[callitwhatyouwant]

He hasn’t shined but also not disappointed. But I also have more modest expectations for him than I feel some do.

Agree that he is a bit soft. But tbh, most of this younger generation is. Super gritty players are just super hard to come by these days.

That said, Broberg isn’t as green as some of the other youngsters. This is his 4th year playing NHL playoff games and he’s now played in 22 of them, same amount as Buchy, one less than Kyrou.

Agree that why they’re losing this series isn’t the defense though. It’s lack of offense. The Blues just don’t have the depth to make up for the loss of Holloway.

A buddy of mine made a good point. We also need to upgrade the bottom 6, right now they’re never in danger of putting the puck in the net. Yes, you need energy and D from them also but they do need to be able to find the net with a map

Yep. It’s almost as if this is a roster that would be pretty typical of an 8th seeded team. The depth just isn’t there.

I mean, what was our 4th line the Cup season? Barbashev-Sunny-Steen? We still have Sunny but he’s a shell of his 2019 self. Steen was a 1st liner most of his career and on our 4th line then because Father Time and injuries were catching up to him. But he was still an extreme luxury to put on your 4th line. Barbs was above 4th line grade at the time as well and has of course progressed even more in the years since.

Oh for sure, you’re correct, but instead of throwing halfway decent money at Joseph or Texier maybe there’s another way to go? You’re right, Sunny is about done but for $1M I don’t have as big a problem with him.
I said in ‘19 that 4th line was a huge luxury to have, and we need to work toward that. Improve top 6 so you can slide Neighbours down to 3rd line where he might be one of the best 3rd liners in the league, then one of your 3rds goes down to 4th, etc

The ultimate goal over the next 2 seasons is to get Schenn and Neighbours down to the 3rd line where they can create some real havoc. You either find a way to bounce Schenn out to a wing (I don't think they will do that based off the chemistry this year) on the 2nd line, or get him to man your 3rd line for his last couple years.

Schenn earned another season of Hollywood and Kyrou on his wings. That line was extremely good and was equivalent to a 1 line for about 35 games.

It looks like Snuggs/Thomas/Buchy can be your #1 line next year, But I would argue unless Snuggs absolutely explodes, it plays more like a 2 line.

So you have 2 number 2 lines.

Then Neighbours/Dvorsky/Bolduc. That #3 line could cause problems. It all depends on how good Dvorsky is.

And then you reconstruct the 4th line.

Joseph/Sunny/Torps would provide a solid center on the 4th with 2 big speedsters. I personally could see way more production out of that than the WTF line currently. the WTF line while a disturber, has seen Torpedo go backwards. Walker is a good 12/13th guy, but I think this team ultimately needs 14 forwards. Rotating a wing and rotating someone with Sunny. Next year to have a shot you need some guys with some legs late.

[Harry S Deals]

The book on Broberg is 100% not written at this point. Regardless of being 23 he has 149 NHL games. He started as 1LHD minutes well over 20 min a night he had what 12 pts in his first 15 GP around the injury then he was dropped down to Faulk ..... More point production will be closer to what we see going forward. I would rather see him again start next year with Parayko meaning;

Broberg Parayko
Fowler Faulk
xxx Leddy/Tucker

For me i would also rather see Broberg on the PP vs Faulk, .....ever.


Time will tell

[Harry S Deals]

He hasn’t shined but also not disappointed. But I also have more modest expectations for him than I feel some do.

Agree that he is a bit soft. But tbh, most of this younger generation is. Super gritty players are just super hard to come by these days.

That said, Broberg isn’t as green as some of the other youngsters. This is his 4th year playing NHL playoff games and he’s now played in 22 of them, same amount as Buchy, one less than Kyrou.

Agree that why they’re losing this series isn’t the defense though. It’s lack of offense. The Blues just don’t have the depth to make up for the loss of Holloway.

A buddy of mine made a good point. We also need to upgrade the bottom 6, right now they’re never in danger of putting the puck in the net. Yes, you need energy and D from them also but they do need to be able to find the net with a map

Yep. It’s almost as if this is a roster that would be pretty typical of an 8th seeded team. The depth just isn’t there.

I mean, what was our 4th line the Cup season? Barbashev-Sunny-Steen? We still have Sunny but he’s a shell of his 2019 self. Steen was a 1st liner most of his career and on our 4th line then because Father Time and injuries were catching up to him. But he was still an extreme luxury to put on your 4th line. Barbs was above 4th line grade at the time as well and has of course progressed even more in the years since.

Oh for sure, you’re correct, but instead of throwing halfway decent money at Joseph or Texier maybe there’s another way to go? You’re right, Sunny is about done but for $1M I don’t have as big a problem with him.
I said in ‘19 that 4th line was a huge luxury to have, and we need to work toward that. Improve top 6 so you can slide Neighbours down to 3rd line where he might be one of the best 3rd liners in the league, then one of your 3rds goes down to 4th, etc

The ultimate goal over the next 2 seasons is to get Schenn and Neighbours down to the 3rd line where they can create some real havoc. You either find a way to bounce Schenn out to a wing (I don't think they will do that based off the chemistry this year) on the 2nd line, or get him to man your 3rd line for his last couple years.

Schenn earned another season of Hollywood and Kyrou on his wings. That line was extremely good and was equivalent to a 1 line for about 35 games.

It looks like Snuggs/Thomas/Buchy can be your #1 line next year, But I would argue unless Snuggs absolutely explodes, it plays more like a 2 line.

So you have 2 number 2 lines.

Then Neighbours/Dvorsky/Bolduc. That #3 line could cause problems. It all depends on how good Dvorsky is.

And then you reconstruct the 4th line.

Joseph/Sunny/Torps would provide a solid center on the 4th with 2 big speedsters. I personally could see way more production out of that than the WTF line currently. the WTF line while a disturber, has seen Torpedo go backwards. Walker is a good 12/13th guy, but I think this team ultimately needs 14 forwards. Rotating a wing and rotating someone with Sunny. Next year to have a shot you need some guys with some legs late.

I think Army will address the Center position with a FA. No way will the Blues hand the 3rd center spot to DD he hasnt looked at all capable yet. Now, a summer can make a lot of difference this is true. Still i think Trent Frederic makes sense here, 6'3" 220 will be hard to play against, skates, hits. Not a ton of skill but an upgrade over Sunny is thats where Frederic lands.

Bolduc Thomas Snuggerud
Holloway Schenn Kyrou
Buchnevich Frederic Neighbours
Toropchenko Sunny/Dvorsky Walker/Joseph

I would really like to see Buch demoted unsure if that would really happen

[seattleblue]

Signing a player like Frederic to play on a line with Buchnevich would be a serious demotion for Buchnevich.

Frederic isn't Logan Brown, but look at them right there in the same sentence.

[DawgDad]

Army and Steen need to start looking at roster constructiin this offseason. They need to decide if they are going to load up three lines with snipers, guys who need skilled centers in the middle-6, or make some moves. Will they invest ice time to get DD ready for next season's playoffs?

[seattleblue]

Army and Steen need to start looking at roster constructiin this offseason. They need to decide if they are going to load up three lines with snipers, guys who need skilled centers in the middle-6, or make some moves. Will they invest ice time to get DD ready for next season's playoffs?

In time, Dvo supplants Schenn as 2C let's say. But before that truly happens, we see Dvo brought along more slowly like even third line winger ice time (recall Thomas on Bozak's wing for concept reference). In that event we need a bridge vet center maybe a 2C or stout 3C to supplement Schenn during this time and still be around after Dvorsky climbs past him the way Thomas did. We are more than fine on the wings. Dvorsky is going to eventually just blossom with the skill they have on the wings IMO. I have not been scanning the free agent market I have been watching canadian junior hockey and swedish hockey. They should look for a fast, 200'-minded puck distributor more than shooter for this role I think because they have plenty of snipers on this roster.

[seattleblue]

Incidentally he is captain of an OHL team playing a second round Game 7 tonight at Barrie and if they lose his junior career is done and he could join Springfield.

UPDATE I have been watching this whole game. It has been a barnburner and is only now halfway through, the score is 4-3 Barrie. It was 1-0 Kingston, 2-1 Barrie, 3-2 Kingston and 4-3 Barrie.

Burns has been so involved in this game and has had numerous plays worthy of note.
BUT the main play is he just got kicked out of the game with a 5 minute major for slewfooting Aitcheson.
They reviewed it and kicked him out.

This is an absolutely garbage call on him. What actually happened, was Burns shouldered Aithceson down with a heavy shoulder leverage. It did look as if his leg was swinging through and while it was carrying forward at no point did it make any contact with any part of Aitcheson. The Barrie announcers who wanted to condemn the play kinda stayed silent during the replay the way you do when the play didn't quite happen the way you thought it did but you still kinda want to call it a slewfoot which they are, which is cowardly since they did see the replay, He simply strong man threw a strong man down with an incredible shoulder move. If this had happened in the NHL they would have said "(bleep) that's a man." But this is weak (donkey) CHL reffing. So they reviewed it and kicked him out. He is someone who equalizes a big hit with a sort of Suter like calm and Tucker like tendency to violence. The prior shift his teammate had been buried in the corner on a bad hit. Earlier in the game he gave that digging crosscheck back after taking one the prior shift and taking a number.