Questions for the defence,

[loupowell52]

Looks to me as if Tetlow's face simply does not fit at present.  If so, why ?
Also,  even though I think Matteson has been an excellent signing, there are signs if him being overplayed.
I'm a big fan of establishing defensive pairings and staying with them.  When injuries occur simply slot in the best alternative rather than chopping and changing the pairings.
Think Lepine is already performing several levels above last season .  Do regular fans agree ?
Finally, are Fick, Donnelly and Deutsch big enough to clear out the opposition forwards ?

[bobness]

Six fit import D at present. Well, at least there was...
Most of the year we've had 20/95, 2/27 and 6/28 as pretty regular pairings, in that order.
Jury out for me on Lepine, I don't think his play has been much better than last.
For me, Fick farts about too much in his own end, he and Deutsch especially have a tendency to make passes across the D into danger areas when it would be simpler to play the puck off the boards and get it out. See Cardiff's goal Saturday for example.
Fick also takes minors like his life depends on it. But he's growing on me...

[PantherB]

I think Wallace would rather have Tetlow play in Peterborough than get only a couple of minutes of ice time in Nottingham. But with DeSantis injured, Tetlow should be the 6th D until he returns to full fitness. I think it's fair, I thought last season and towards the start of this season he was very overplayed. I think by doing it this way it puts some more pressure on him to take his chances when het gets them, and when he doesn't get the chances he can still get game time down in Peterborough.


I'm much happier with Lepine this season and that is mostly down to his increased level of physicality. It's like Wallace has told him to just play his natural game and to utilise his size. He's throwing hits, make it very difficult along the boards for players and does his best to hold guys accountable. It's just unfortunate today's hockey has players run away like cowards rather than answer the bell.

Matheson is just an awesome player, even with his lack of speed. He still manages to cut through the opposition, it's great to see and unlike some offensive defencemen we've had in the past he seems to be pretty smart, gives his all and is responsible. Very happy we signed him. I don't want him to get burned out or injured obviously but whilst he's playing so well I'd hate to see less of him on the ice.

[The Flying Shirt]

If Tetlow could skate better he would be getting regular shifts.

[loupowell52]

I think Tetlow's biggest negative at present is a lack of confidence probably caused by fear of making mistakes and the consequences from the coaching team. Lots of short shifts playing alongside a variety of defensive partners would benefit his overall play. You learn nothing sat on the bench !

[Bagheera]

Jan 3, 2020 8:48:36 GMT loupowell52 said:

I think Tetlow's biggest negative at present is a lack of confidence probably caused by fear of making mistakes and the consequences from the coaching team. Lots of short shifts playing alongside a variety of defensive partners would benefit his overall play. You learn nothing sat on the bench !

Tetlows biggest problem is lack of ice time. Unfortunatly until we have an import forward fighting for a starting spot there is no reason to to sit one of the better 6 Dmen.

[Bagheera]

Jan 3, 2020 11:09:01 GMT Bagheera said:

Jan 3, 2020 8:48:36 GMT loupowell52 said:

I think Tetlow's biggest negative at present is a lack of confidence probably caused by fear of making mistakes and the consequences from the coaching team. Lots of short shifts playing alongside a variety of defensive partners would benefit his overall play. You learn nothing sat on the bench !

Tetlows biggest problem is lack of ice time. Unfortunatly until we have an import forward fighting for a starting spot there is no reason to to sit one of the better 6 Dmen.

But now Panthers announce an injury to Deutsch. That should give Tetlow some regular shifts for a few weeks.

[ashfieldpanther]

Jan 3, 2020 11:30:09 GMT Bagheera said:

Jan 3, 2020 11:09:01 GMT Bagheera said:

Tetlows biggest problem is lack of ice time. Unfortunatly until we have an import forward fighting for a starting spot there is no reason to to sit one of the better 6 Dmen.

But now Panthers announce an injury to Deutsch. That should give Tetlow some regular shifts for a few weeks.

surely we ought to bring in an import dman for the CC Superfinal.

[Bagheera]

Jan 3, 2020 12:56:46 GMT ashfieldpanther said:

Jan 3, 2020 11:30:09 GMT Bagheera said:

But now Panthers announce an injury to Deutsch. That should give Tetlow some regular shifts for a few weeks.

surely we ought to bring in an import dman for the CC Superfinal.

Personally I dont think so. Playing 6 import D is pretty exeptional. I think Tetlow is adequate as a 7th Dman in the EIHL and I dont think we will see any better than EIHL level in the CC finals.

On the other hand we are massively short in the forward lines. 3 line hockey with the amount of games in a short period of time could really hurt us. Rheault could play anyway in that but we need a solution thats not Rheault for the rest of the season.
Dont get me wrong, if there is a decent Dman out there up for a short tern contract then go for it aswell as a forward. I dont think we just need to bring anybody in for the sake of it though.

[iginla]

Jan 3, 2020 12:56:46 GMT ashfieldpanther said:

Jan 3, 2020 11:30:09 GMT Bagheera said:

But now Panthers announce an injury to Deutsch. That should give Tetlow some regular shifts for a few weeks.

surely we ought to bring in an import dman for the CC Superfinal.

Steelers didn’t have any trouble bringing in some quality D when needed.
They just went out and got a pair of Czech internationals.