Smith had a great year last year but he wasn't likely to repeat his play and still had health concerns. NOBODY was going to sign Smith to the contract Holland gave out. Many teams have upgraded their goaltending within the past few years (including in this very province) while we're hoping the third time's the charm with the same duo that couldn't get it done the last two years. And Smith getting hurt is probably the least surprising development of this year.
He's been fine but not worth what we're paying him for. Holland had Duncan Keith land in his lap and he couldn't get the Hawks to take on any salary whatsoever. And speaking of Darnell Nurse... Hoo boy is that extension looking rotten before it has even begun. Bouchard is also starting to show his inexperience which is not ideal.
Bringing JP back was good. I don't know how much credit he deserves since he wasn't going to any other team but alright. Hyman is fine but that contract is going to look very Lucic-like within a few years. And of course this is ignoring bloated extensions to Barrie, Kassian, keeping Russell in the lineup, and a bottom six that's somehow even worse than last year.
Good points all around. But as I've said I am fine with Keith being an overpay - the experience he brings I think is worth it, and I'm sure that was Holland's reasoning too. Agreed completely on the Nurse extension, should have waited imo. Bouchard having growing pains isn't a huge surprise. Doesn't change the outlook for him in the top-4 imo.
I can almost guarantee that Chiarelli would have traded JP for pennies on the dollar. Now Chiarelli is a super low bar, but my point is Holland managed the situation very well and I'm not sure too many GMs would have. Disagree on Hyman being the next Lucic. He has a lot less miles, and more importantly he is, based on this season, a much better skater and shooter than Lucic ever was.
Agreed on the Kassian contract. But Barrie is easily moveable and when we inevitable trade him we will receive some assets (might be small) in return. So re-signing him was imo the right call. I also don't mind Russell being here on a cheap deal competing with Koekkoek, Lagesson, Niemelainen, Broberg, etc for the #6 and #7 roles. That will likely be an area to upgrade at the TDL, but Russell's contract is hardly worth complaining about.
The bottom-6 has indeed not been great. I don't think Holland did enough on the 4th line once he found out Archibald was going to be out. That's a bigger hit than people realize imo and Holland should have dealt with it. Though again I expect he'll address it at the TDL. The 3rd line however I am less concerned than most about. I think Foegele-McLeod is the basis for a solid 3rd line. McLeod has shown constant improvement and is fine in that role right now imo. I'm willing to give Foegele a few months more to grow comfortable with this team.
Basically, what I think the problems are for this team:
2RW could be upgraded. Ideally, We get a guy who bumps Yamamoto down to 3RW, and Kassian gets fired into the sun.
4th line needs an identity. We need at least one new guy for that.
3LD needs an upgrade. Not the most pressing issue but it will matter for the playoffs imo.
We need a goalie to replace Koskinen. But the hard part will be getting rid of Koskinen.
What the team ideally would look like:
Hyman-McDavid-Puljujarvi
RNH-Draisaitl-X
Foegele-McLeod-Yamamoto
Benson/X-Sceviour-X
Shore
Nurse-Bouchard
Keith-Ceci
X-Barrie
Russell/Koekkoek
X
Smith
Skinner
Based on the Xs, compared to where we were before he took over, I don't think Holland has done badly at all overall.
