lazycop
Dave's not here.
- Mar 25, 2006
- 1,575
- 464
i don't see the team being considered a contender as of now, but i don't think it's very far away.
there are lots of contributing factors for success, but the most critical one, IMO, is goaltending. and we have it.
both goalies are experienced and have had playoff success before. i would certainly be more comfortable if we had a top 10 tender, even with a below average back up, but i am not unhappy with the two we have. drama aside...
also, very important, is coaching. too early to tell if Doug and staff are legitimate, but 40 games is not chopped-liver.
talent is important, but bad coaching and goaltending will kill any team, regardless of their skill level. we don't have the skill level of the upper echelon of teams, but we have good depth/balance. i would take a team of superior talent IF health is not an issue. but teams like PIT would be in big trouble if Crosby and Malkin went down at the same time. argue all you want, but injuries play a part.
i think it's funny how some posters are calling for Snow's head, citing past performance, but seem to ignore that we had the 2nd best record in the league, the 2nd half of the season.
This. Don't underestimate the impact of adding Weight and his staff, and more significantly, subtracting Crappy. This team WILL be better.