That's such an easy thing to say, but somehow we were #1 in February. Can't be all Helly?
We should predictably win a lot of faceoffs to start, which is good for a zone clear, and at least 10-20 seconds to reset. Team generally likes to stand up on the blue line, 3 wide, forcing the chip ins. Or with good sticks and position, forcing teams back. Everyone agrees about the passive nature of the PK inside the zone. And it seems that we prefer to give up predictable shots, which are easy for a goalie to a read, positionally. In the playins we were actually burnt quite a bit being too aggressive and leaving the slot open. So it's a balance. If you are going to outnumber the puck shorthanded, you had better win it, or there is danger everywhere.
Last year we had so much new personnel, that had no experience whatsoever playing with other players, that it took some time. De Melo really stabilized things on the back end. Poolman's speed should be an asset in puck retrieval. Beaulieu is a guy that gets beaten quite a bit getting back to the front the net, I don't know how much of that is his skating, or his reads. We have some defensive depth this year, probably as good as any team.
Forward wise we have added some depth too. And both Gustafsson and Suess could step up during the year.
If we get to the top 10 again, we're a definite playoff team, as our PP shouldn't get worse.
Is the PK coached by Maurice? I thought the assistants usually run those things?