The vortex of experience, inexperience, more talent, less talent begins.
Let me give an example. Legwand comes to the team with high pedigree and no experience. Granted, we were an expansion team but Poile had guys like Johnson and Fitzgerald as mentors for him. All well and good because they were cerebral players who knew how to play the 200' game but lacked the offensive skill set to help him accel. It wasn't until Kariya came along that we saw the best in Legwand.
In a lot of ways, we see the same effect ROR is having on Fil. Fil has been a great player for us over the years, however, I don't think any of us have ever seen him play at this level for an entire season like he has. I feel like he's graduated to an elite-level forward.
Rosters need to have the right blend of experience and talent. Chicago won multiple Cups while Toews and Kane were both young. Toews has those legendary intangibles. Kane was well Kane. They also supplemented their roster with guys like Sharp, Ladd and Hossa.
Then you have a team like the Oilers who have arguably the two best players in the world and they have had little playoff success. TML is another case of 4 top players in the league on their roster with no playoff success. Then on the flip side, you have the Avs, who were not good for a long time, struggled with MacKinnon on their roster and then developed into the team they are today.
Bringing in ROR and Gus were stellar moves. I think they're teaching the young kids what it takes to get it done. I think it sucks that some of them are now in Milwaukee. I think it's most beneficial to Evangelista as I think he's going to be the heart and soul of this team in the future. Can't put my finger on it but he has a swagger about him that I don't get from the other youngsters. I hope the message of how to play the 200 ft game gets thru to Tomasino. I hope being in Milwaukee lights a fire in Parssinen that turns him into a giant beast full of rage that can never be knocked off the puck.
I can't argue with this year's results. Is it what I thought it would be, no but I have been entertained and that's what I was needing. Maybe with the expectation set by Bruno and Trotz, paired with the success we're having will have an effect on the kids. It wouldn't surprise though if the line of Svechkov, Kemell and L'Hereux come up together and pass Tomasino and Parssinen in the depth chart.
Watching the game yesterday, I think the additions of Beauvillier and Zucker were good adds. They bring pace, some physicality and offensive skill to the lineup.
I'm going to try and enjoy the rest of the season without too many complaints. That can always change on roster choices. Hope everyone enjoys the rest of the ride this year.
And by the way, Lankinen was on fire yesterday.
