I am Mystified

I am mystified about a few things:

1) Why Gordon continues to tinker with the top line of Tavares, Okposo, and Moulson. Last game, Okposo was on a different line again. Now I've heard - on one occasion - that the reason for the line-juggling is to distribute the scoring and maybe help someone else get going. Rubbish! If it ain't broke - don't monkey around with it. That line has been SUPER productive - why screw with a good thing? I just don't get it.

2) Why Sim continues to play and Tambellini, Schremp, and even Bailey take turns on the bench. Oh yeah, I get it -- Sim tries hard. So f**king what! I try hard too - but RESULTS are what matters. Sim has played 18 games and has 3 points (including 1 lousy goal). Tambs has played 5 less games and has 9 points (including 6 goals); Bailey has played the same number of games and has twice the number of points (including 3 times as many goals); and Schremp, who has played a mere 8 games has pretty much the same output as Sim. Keep in mind, Schremp gets less than 10 minutes a game and gets put on the 3rd or 4th line. Bailey has not been playing with guys that hit the back of the net too often and has little PP time. Tambellini finally finds some confidence in his game and he gets benched. I just don't get it. As I said - I understand that Sim tries hard, he skates his ass off (mind you he is still slower than Schremp & Tambs - even if they were going half speed) -- but the fact remains -- he just isn't being productive.

3) Why this team continues to give up leads in the 3rd period. OK - one kudo - unlike last year they have come back on a few occasions too -- but they just seem unable to hold a lead.

4) Gervais has been underwhelming. He made a pathetic pass the other night from behind his own net that resulted in a turn-over and then a goal. He's been getting some PP minutes and is pointless. He only has 3 assists so far. I think the Isles need to acknowledge that he is never going to be more than a 5th or 6th defensemen.

Now -- a few observations:
The Isles need to try to get as much for Biron as possible before he makes himself less valuable by giving up soft goals like he did against Carolina or gets hurt. Let Roloson play a few more games and bring up a goalie from Bridgeport to keep the pipes warm until Ricky is ready to return. It's not like Biron has been blowing people away.

One last note --- 10 of the first 20 games have gone to OT. That is higher than any other team. Imagine if a few of those games went the other way? They are not as bad as some people may think. But Gordon needs to keep the first line together -- let those guys grow, develop & mature as a unit. He also needs to give Tambellini & Schremp some REAL ice time - not that 8-10 minute crap on the 4th line. And let them play for 6-7 games, not 1-2 and then back to the press-box. As I said, the Isles are going anywhere because Jon Sim is getting ice time so it really doesn't hurt them to let him play it out a Bridgport, the pressbox, or trade him somewhere.

Net up: One quarter of the season is complete: Some grades & assessments are coming:
MLD