Disgruntled Observer*
Guest
is what I said
Bolland didn't play enough
McClement for all the love he got couldn't shoot his way out of a wet paper-bag and has ZERO imagination when it comes to offense which when Bozak and Bolland were both out he needed to step up and he did not. He really isn't exactly an NHL elite level skater either, and his 4th line replacement Jerrod Smithson was a little less of the same package
Holland was too green last year to be effective every shift, but his replacement the Peter Holland who got major Marlie playoff minutes in all situations will be a much more assertive, more comfortable and confident player
Mason Raymond had to be told who played net that night as he was never in his own end long enough to figure it out, but yeah he popped some goals
Santorelli has always been known as a very good playmaker and under Torterella become a capable 2 way guy and was solid on Kesler's RW, I'm sure with his wheels and puck handling abilities he and Kadri will get along just fine.
Booth has shown a very above average skill set and until Richards blind sided him a few years back was on the cusp of becoming a bona fide star in the league, he has since been enigmatic somewhat in Vancouver, but looked like the real deal in his last 20 or so games when he played significant minutes
Danny Winnick was a key guy for a pretty good Ducks team playing PP #1 and doing a solid job as a 3rd line winger, he easily replaces McClement.
Leo Komarov and Petri Kontiola were both excellent as 2/3rds of the 2nd line of the Bronze medal Finnish Olympic team, it's #1 PK duo, playing against the best players in the world, they also both led their respective KHL teams in scoring. NHL unproven? Yep for sure, but nice upgrade over Smithson/Carter/McLaren/Orr(54 games dressed???) none of whom are very capable AHL scorers, let alone the NHL
Well, why did the other GM's in the league think the players we lost were worth SO MUCH more money than the players we signed?
Are all those GM's that signed those players just stupid, and our GM is the only smart one?
Is that REALLY what some fans around here are trying to convince themselves?