There are some positives to take out of this run that the team is on. I think you are seeing a ton of pride showing up. When Crosby and Malkin decide to take games over, they still can. Not as often, but it is still really impressive. Sure, we have watched these guys now for nearly 20 years, but down the stretch you appreciate just how much they want it.
Jack St. Ivany is exactly what this blueline needed. I cannot think of a better third RD when your first two are Karlsson and Letang. We all know that without that Ruhwedel trade to the Rangers, this does not happen. Let's be thankful for small miracles. It reminds me of way back when, in 2009 I think, didn't we lose a scrub fourth-line center during the season and Max Talbot replaced him and the team took off? Something like that.
I still can't stand Michael Bunting's face, but I am going to shut up about him as long as he plays this well and this inspired. He does things this team really lacked. I am happy with him, so far.
This team can score, they just forgot how for most of this season. And yeah, the PP still sucks but honestly, the personnel is there. The guy who runs it just needs to get his head out of his ass and make the right calls. Why Puustinen is not on the power play, I will never know. One of the few guys who WANTS to actually shoot the puck.
I am happy for Nedeljkovic. I wanted the team to sign him. I felt like he had a redemption season in him. Now, does that mean I would be comfortable giving him security? Probably not. But keep this train rolling and maybe the point becomes moot. Take this team to the playoffs and then the argument is probably over.
I think the Guentzel trade actually woke this team up. At first, they were pissed and they were sad and confused. There was all sorts of crazy talk about people unhappy and trade rumors, etc. But these guys probably looked at the Eastern Conference standings, and realized they actually have a shot here. And I for one am more pleased that they are trending up than playing out the string. I REALLY don't want to give SJ an unprotected first in 2025. I don't trust this team enough. They might be great next season, but they might also go into the tank. If this little run that they are on saves us from worrying all throughout 2024-25 about the first-round pick, then that is a win for me.
Hopefully Dubas has seen the light. If you trade Ruhwedel and leave Sullivan with little choice, he will play the young, obscure player and we might be surprised with the results. Reilly Smith should definitely not play for this team next season, he does not fit at all. No chemistry with either of the big two centers. His game is so inconsistent. Also, we cannot go into training camp with both Eller and Acciari on the roster. Because Sullivan will not give any shot to the likes of Poulin, Ponomarev and Yager. And we desperately need one of those guys to pan out down the middle. My preference is to trade Eller and keep Acciari because of asset management and also roster implications.
If we trade Smith, Eller and Jarry for future assets this summer, and bring in one big name free agent for the top six (Sam Reinhart?), I don't think this situation is all that bleak anymore. But for the love of gawd, Sullivan has to distribute ice time better going forward. How can Bryan Rust be a first-line winger, a first-unit PP and a first-unit PK forward? And yeah, Jeff Carter. There is no way he should be playing center now. Second-unit PK and second-unit PP, too? And he gets the ice time for key face-offs too. It is insane.
This is why it is critical that someone emerges next year. I believe both Yager and Ponomarev can kill penalties. Poulin not so much. So, this will be something to monitor. Because for Sullivan, the four guys who kill penalties up front are the most important things a hockey team has. We have three in O'Connor, Rust and I guess Acciari or Eller. A guy like Reinhart kills penalties, so that would be nice. Of course, he would make an even bigger impact on the PP (if we fire Reirden and actually hire someone with a clue).
If we beat Washington tomorrow night, then I think it is on! We probably can afford to lose one either against TB or Toronto if we win tomorrow night.
F^ck it, let's go. This is more fun than watching them lose to Chicago like last season. This team seems to have more jump than that one. Is it the younger guys? Maybe. O'Connor, Puljujarvi, Joseph, Bemstrom, Puustinen...they are bringing something to the table for sure. St. Ivany has been a dream come true. Really happy with him. Gives me Rob Scuderi and Hal Gill vibes. Or Ron Hainsey. Those are compliments, by the way.