I know everyone is talking about how this trade improves our PP but since Fisher has been back, the PP% is either at 20% or 24%. They showed the stat on TV the other night against the Devils. Our PK and PP% combined since Fisher is back is at 105% or thereabouts. Having Franson gives us more options on the PP but it's not like we've been bad on the PP for the last 30 games or so.
This goes for all fan bases and something I notice around here, once something happens, good or more importantly, bad, we tend to think that's the case when things have actually changed. People have worried about the special teams but that has improved dramatically. We have blown leads in games and we did so frequently in a stretch of games but in reality, we haven't blown as many games as we think we have but tend to give that small sample size the bulk of our worry.
We all thought Forsberg would fall off with the production he's had but he continues to play well. We worry about Ribeiro and his poor FO% yet he and his linemates continue to produce.
I remember when Suter was improving dramatically yet people still thought he was the dredge of hockey and a bust of a pick when in reality he was blossoming.
Jones is blossoming in front of us but because he'll still make a gaffe or two during a game, we focus on that than all the good to great things he's been doing, especially since Ellis went down.
Franson and Santorelli are different players than when they left. Franson is more physical which was always a knock on him. Santorelli has a motor that will go great with Jarnkrok and Forsberg if he stays on that line.
Remember a few weeks ago I suggested swapping the lines out some and having one of our top 6 pushed down to the third line to get favorable matchups and now we see Forsberg there and he had a pretty good game the other night. The speed and relentless play that this third line has the capability of could make us a very dangerous team. We already are but this could really push us over the edge.
My question is Poile acquired Santorelli and I'm sure he consulted Lavy which means Lavy wanted someone in the lineup on the bench or pushed to perform better. We will see who sits on Tuesday and/or what the lines will be.
