I know we're going through a rough stretch right now. However, this team has actually exceeded my expectations this season. I thought we were looking at a bottom 5 finish. But they found some success in December and January and now we're here. I don't think we'll make the playoffs but something tells me the pendulum could swing back to the successful side near the end of the season. A strong final push. That's one the thing the Avs know how to do.
The core is actually pretty good. Duchene, Mackinnon, Soderberg, Landeskog, Barrie, Varly, Pickard are all good. The most exciting thing about our chances for improving is that we have a really good 18 year old in the minors. Sometimes, one piece can change the chemistry and really improve a team. I hope Rantanen can do that. We have other things to look forward to as well... Zadorov is a a really talented player who really needs to work on his decision making. If someone can get a handle on him, we have another good piece. J.T. Compher could be a really good depth player. I still have hope for Bleackley. Bigras seems solid. EJ is still a good veteran.
We look bad right now... not because our players aren't talented.... but because the way we play is so unstructured and strange. Sometimes, it works out for us... If we get on a hot streak and a couple guys start believing in themselves and the goaltending stands on its head we win.... and the thing is we have players who are talented enough to do that.... But when we don't have that going we look REALLY bad.
So for 2017, if we're serious about trying to get better this is what I would like to see.
+Mikko Rantanen
+Kyle Okposo
+Chris Bigras (Full time)
+Nikita Zadorov (Full Time, but someone please coach him on decision making)
+Calvin Pickard (full time back up)
-Alex Tanguay
-Nate Guenin
-Andrew Bodnarchuk
-Reto Berra
Mack-Dutchy-Rantanen
Lando-Soda-Okposo
Iggy-Grigs-Comeau
Skille-Mitchell-Mcleod
EJ-Beauch
Holden-Barrie
Bigras-Zads
Redmond
Varly
Picks
I actually think that's pretty strong... and with guys like Compher, Greer, Beaudin, Bleackley, Geertsen, Wood, Meloche in the wings, maybe we can win in a couple years.... We need to draft well though. Sergachev, Nylander, McLeod, Rubtsov, Gauthier, Dubois, someone like that please.
*******edit: I'd also love to see another coach, but I know that's not happening any time soon and I do have a soft spot in my heart for Roy because he does try really hard and care about the team.