Voracek drives me absolutely crazy, if he had Couts' brain he'd be the best player in the NHL. Instead he's the most talented player on this team and the most erratic (well, maybe Manning). He was MIA for most of the game, then turns it on but blows a prime scoring chance, then at the end of the game and OT takes over. And you wonder why coaches have grey hair!
Tell me again Ghost is playing "his game", BS, he's a totally different player this year, defensively responsible, fighting for the puck in the corner, it's like 3 years of coaches pounding a message finally got through and he realized he didn't want to be OEL with 50 points and -30, he wanted to be a miniature Doughty, a guy who plays 200 feet and helps his team win at both ends of the ice.
On the other hand, what's wrong with Provorov, his turnoveritis has gotten to be a reason for concern.
Knock Hagg all you want, but he played another solid game, and he's trying to expand his game, he is a rookie, he's allowed a few mistakes.
And MacDonald may be limited, but he plays like what he is, a smart veteran who knows how to be in the right place at the right time.
Lyon is irritating, he shows NHL goalie skills, then overplays and gives up an easy goal, and almost gave up another mishandling the puck. If he was 21 you'd figure he needs experience, but he's older, a Yale graduate and should be more fundamentally sound.
Couts and Giroux are a monster pair, you can't break them up b/c they're too good together. Couts is amazing given how slow he is (not Lehtera slow but I was shocked to realize how mediocre his skating is), great positioning, great puck control and instincts, yes, pure talent is grossly overrated (see Drouin). And Giroux has benefit not just playing LW but with Couts, it allows him to be himself without having to handle big physical centers - and he just performs magic tricks.
Weal and Konecny blew some great scoring chances, at least hit the post or make the goaltender stop you, you shouldn't miss everything from 15' away.
Lindblom is not going back to the AHL, he's what Hakstol loves, tough, fights for the puck on the forecheck, goes to the net, defensively responsible, he was solid in the O-zone, a bit lost in the neutral zone where I think there's an adjustment to NHL speed, but he's "reliable."
Patrick is going to be so good next year, those good hands, instincts, and now he can skate. Still climbing the learning curve, but you can keep Nico, we have Frost, Patrick looks like Couts on steroids (19 instead of 25 but a similar package).
