Guys we have a LEGIT defense!!!!! Holy crap think of last year when we had Gilbert, Weaver, and JOVO and we were leaving opposing fowards wide open in scoring areas every single game.
Mitchell- what can you say? The guy seems to always be in position and makes the right play with the puck almost every time.
Gudbranson looks like he is really figuring things out. I'll admit I was a bit worried about him last year. No more chasing the puck around and being caught out of position and he is an absolute wrecking ball.
And this new #7 guy we got, the Russian one. I'm glad we got rid of that turnover machine Kulikov and replaced him with this lookalike. So smooth out there, and is doing a great job on the PK.
Campbell has been ok, definitely not 2012 Campbell, but I think the smaller workload has done him well.
Ekblad is everything we thought we were getting from a #1 overall pick and then some. It is unbelievable that he is only 18.
Even Olsen isn't too bad. He is definitely our weakest Dman, but I like the physical element he brings, and he has his moments where he shows some skill as well. Decent #6 Dman.
And our best defender: Roberto LUUUUUUUUUUongo!!!!!!!!! It's so freaking nice having him back. Should have never given him up in the first place, but that is irrelevant now. As Dennis pointed out today, Lu's anticipation game is ON POINT right now. Every shot seems to be hitting him right in the chest. Tim was fun to watch last year, but it's definitely easier on the stomach watching a goalie play the position with precision instead of rolling around and sliding all over the place.
It is absolutely amazing and refreshing to see that this team has an identity and direction. We can ride this defense and goaltending to a lot of wins this year. Making the playoffs will depend on whether we can start scoring goals, but in the meantime, hockey just became fun to watch again!!!!!
