It's not a matter of 'throwing in the towel' it's being realistic. This team prior to the TP and TT setback yesterday, was straddling the 8th playoff spot. And getting north of that down the stretch and getting thru the WC playoffs requires an upgrade at D. I think DL has been trying since OCt to get that elusive D but the price (seller's market) is too high. Even with the Kings not playing consistent and up thru the first half, as long as they didn't dip too far below 8 by 4 pts or more, he had time to wait to Mar 2.
That's gone now.
Even then the quality of competition within the division and conference is a lot tougher this year. The road to the SCF thru the WCF has changed and so has the team, as Sutter pointed out recently. Losing MItchell has hurt them, he was a huge part of their drive to that realm last year and he's gone now.
This team wasted a lot of points by playing lazy and disinterested too many shifts from Oct thru last night when they should have played better and banked those points for a situation like this when you get hit hard with injuries . Last year they had points in the bank when they took their 6 week dive and as a result, didn't lose a playoff spot.
Losing TT and TP cuts part of the guts of the top 6 and they lose two of their fastest and more dangerous players , and that will absolutely affect their chances of W's , esp vs teams that have youth and speed (like the Rags for ex.) and use it effectively.
TP- if it is an ankle, that's a weight bearing joint, 8 weeks off his feet and then a careful and potentially long rehab plan and that's w/o knowing the severity of the break and if the MRI shows ACL or MCL damage/tear.
TT_ Mono is a very serious affliction, tied to the Epstein Barr virus which debilitates the body and can cause a swollen spleen, which is dangerous. For most people, with normal jobs, it's months before their are back to feeling close to normal. That's not the same as playing something as taxing and grueling as hoickey 3 x week plus practice time. One of the first warnings in mono recovery is 'to avoid contact sports' . He's a huge part of their future and won't be rushed back. It's a serious illness, and most likely will affect him for a long time.
SOme team in this situation, have a wealth of talent to draw upon in the ir farm system and a coach who allows those young players to test their mettle and play big minutes, like Detroit did last year, when they got hit hard with injuries. Those young players really stepped up then when Babcock put fairh in them and this year are a large part of their success and growing roots for their future.
But Sutter is not Babcock, who is great developing and trusting youth. ANd the Kings doesn't have a wealth of talented wingers ready to come up, ONeill got hurt last night so he's not an option.
Shore should get the call but Sutter will most likely keep him as the extra and instead, roll Nolan, Clifford, etc.
He doesn't trust or is comfortable with youth, insteadof giving a top 6 prospect, with speed and talent a shot, he'll roll the 4th line vet wingers
So being realistic about this teams stance now, and who they have to play and what they have to overcome points and personnel lose wise, is not throwing in the towel.
