Is this run really a surprise?

[Sens Rule]

Yes, this run is surprising, because this team is a lot closer to Florida than it is to Boston in quality.

They need to jettison 1-2 D-men this summer. Phillips/Wiercoch could be Claeson or Wideman.

All of out Ds are better then Claesson or Wideman. If we get a D it better not be a bottom pairing defensive D or an offensive 3rd pairing with issues and a PP specialist.

We either need a very solid vet RD to solidify the Right side after Karlsson sharing duties with Ceci, or a true top 4 LD. If we think we get better by bringing up D from Bingo... We don't. Unless you really need to get rid of Cowen or Wiercioch's contract hoping on the Bingo D makes the D worse not better. Trading Gryba and not getting a vet RD makes us worse.

At least in my opinion. I think our D is the same next year actually. No one leaves unless we are getting an upgrade. If Phillips leaves or retires then his 8th D tweener spot is spent on Bingo call ups. But that is based on Phillips leaving somehow. Which seems unlikely.

 

[Xspyrit]

Interesting article on NHL.com

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=757390&navid=nhl:topheads

 

[pm88]

Based on how inconsistently they were playing before this whole road trip I'm very surprised at how well they've been doing. Even if they don't end up making the playoffs this year I would still be happy on how they didn't decide to go all Edmonton Oilers on us and tank the rest of the season

 

[tony d]

A little especially given the team was on the road and it's #3 goalie was made the de facto #1.

 

[IranCondraAffair]

The record isn't a surprise. I figured they'd be competing for a wildcard spot.

The run to get there was a bit of a shock, considering how the team had played until then.

 

[Boud]

Cameron effect. Giving confidence to young players was key, Getting Methot back was key, and reducing Karlsson's ice time was also key. We've been getting solid goaltending for sure also but the team has played so much better, not only the goalie deserves the credit.

As soon as Cameron got promoted you could see good things we're coming. They we're playing with more poise, intensity and grit. I'd say not suprising they're playing better but more suprising just how much better they are playing.

 

[StefanW]

I guess you didn`t read what I said which was that the second half would be better than the first, due to the experienced gained. There are still 20 games left in the second half.

I read your post, and my point still stands. The thread is about "this run", as the thread title states. Sorry, but I am extremely skeptical that anyone saw it coming and is thus not surprised.

Maybe people thought the second half would be better than the first, which is fair. But a team that had a level record between wins and losses going on a massive tear with a backup goalie who had a sub-.900 save % down in Bingo was unlikely to be on anyone's radar.

 

[swiftwin]

Interesting article on NHL.com

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=757390&navid=nhl:topheads

I love Ryan's insight

 

[DylanSensFan]

I read your post, and my point still stands. The thread is about "this run", as the thread title states. Sorry, but I am extremely skeptical that anyone saw it coming and is thus not surprised.

Maybe people thought the second half would be better than the first, which is fair. But a team that had a level record between wins and losses going on a massive tear with a backup goalie who had a sub-.900 save % down in Bingo was unlikely to be on anyone's radar.

i certainly thought about it and hoped for it. did i see it coming? likely not in this fashion.

 

[PoutineSp00nZ]

I read your post, and my point still stands. The thread is about "this run", as the thread title states. Sorry, but I am extremely skeptical that anyone saw it coming and is thus not surprised.

Maybe people thought the second half would be better than the first, which is fair. But a team that had a level record between wins and losses going on a massive tear with a backup goalie who had a sub-.900 save % down in Bingo was unlikely to be on anyone's radar.

I thought the team was better than it was showing, all those one goal losses . . . but I didn't see this run coming at all. When they called Hammond up i thought they were going to go on a losing streak heh

 

[ColinM]

"This run" is a surprise. There was nothing in Hammond's DNA to indicate he would keep it together. Having said that I thought our core forwards would jell at some point, but getting the timing down is hard.

 

[DrEasy]

The team started playing better as soon as Cameron took over (and even one game before that, MacLean's last one against Vancouver). Having Methot back made us even that much better. The results weren't following because of goaltending issues (and the PP, but that hasn't been fixed yet). IMO Lehner's injury, more than Hammond's own prowess, lead to this run. Take away some of the deflating goals Lehner allowed, and the run could have been even longer.

But certainly surprised at how Hammond has been. He could have been similar or worse than Lehner (during that stretch: I'm not implying Lehner is always bad) but definitely isn't.

But yeah, the emergence of Stone, Hoff, Ziba, even Wiercioch during this stretch has definitely been a factor as well. Credit the coach for trusting them with big roles too.

 

[GrantLemons]

This summer is when you put the team over the top with a good acquisition.

So much this. If you insert another key piece or two into this lineup that now has chemistry and confidence, I think you're looking at a pretty good team.

The run is only a surprise to me because no one really knew just how good this group could be when they clicked and found chemistry.

Turns out they're pretty friggin' good.

 

[aragorn]

Absolutely, this team could barely put two wins together until Hammond came along. Unless you had a crystal ball & knew he was going to play & was going to have a dream run. I doubt anyone new this team had the ability to make a run like that with the team they had up to the California trip & even then most expected Ottawa to lose most of those games. What a difference good goaltending can have on a team & how much better teams play knowing the guy in net is going to make the saves.

 

[The Lewler]

I love Ryan's insight

The guy is an absolute stud.

The trade looks like a slam dunk at this point.

 

[trobby]

If Paul was still our coach, this would not be happening.

Cameron has added more structure to this team. Hands down.
As much as we harp on Eugene, Cameron is HIS guy, so mad respect to the boss.
Good pick up