This is where I get iffy. I think some players don't develop into the players we want them to be because they aren't given the opportunities to develop into the players we want them to be.
Do we want DOC to be a 4th line center? If we stick him in that role, that's what he will become. With that, does Bleuger really have it in him to be a 3C? An offensive-minded 3C that will utilize offensive-minded wingers? His 1 goal in 17 games makes me weary on that front.
I say - make the third line as offensively capable as possible and bolster the 4th line for defensive purposes.
Heinen-DOC-Kapanen
McGinn-Bleuger-Carter
I think last year we were neck and neck with NYR. Add in Jarry and healthier Zucker and Rakell, and I think we have something. NYR went on to beat Carolina and then lost in the ECF. I think with a full, healthy team, we would have trounced the NYR and given Carolina all they could handle. It would have been a good showdown against the TBL. If they made it, it would have been a more epic battle between Sid and MacKinnon.
I don't see a lot changing this year. I don't think the Rangers or Hurricanes got better. Tampa will be strong, Boston is obviously strong. Then there's a bunch of question marks. I think if we stay healthy, Jarry does average, Rust finds his legs, and the PP is alive, I see no reason we can go on a run.
No matter what, we have to beat good teams to make it to the SCF. To win it all, we have to beat the best.