Roman Yoshi
#164303
Not necessarily panic, but I think people may have had some unrealistic expectations of this team without Suter.
While our bottom lines maybe some of the best in the NHL, our top lines are some of the worst. This means we have to find scoring from somewhere else and usually that has come from either the blueline or overachieving bottom liners. Problem is, when neither are producing, you aren't going to win many games.
I think we are hurting in two areas and the first is the forwards. Last year we had Rads, AK, and Tootoo (although the first two for only part of the season). We replaced them with Big Mac, Clune, and essentially Yip. Before everyone jumps down my throat about "WHO COULD WE HAVE SIGNED" I am not saying we could've gotten anyone, simply stating fact.
Second area, puck movement up ice. Suter's ability to move the puck quickly and accurately is hurting this squad right now. Josi has done a fantastic job carrying his load, but the problem his he can't carry both his and Suter's load on his shoulders.
I don't expect Poile to trade for prime, top end talent. We really don't have the pieces or the pieces we do have we are unwilling to part with. Couple that with tight purse strings and this team will never really have high end players... UNLESS we draft and develop them. If there is a knock on Poile, it his his ability to draft gifted offensive players. He has done great with D men and goalies... forwards... certainly debatable. Most of his trades have even paid off in the end or where the right moves, the team just didn't perform to the best of their abilities.
EDIT: Not even sure if it is a Poile thing as much as it is a Trotz AND Poile thing. Nashville's playing style does not exactly promote offensive flair either.
While our bottom lines maybe some of the best in the NHL, our top lines are some of the worst. This means we have to find scoring from somewhere else and usually that has come from either the blueline or overachieving bottom liners. Problem is, when neither are producing, you aren't going to win many games.
I think we are hurting in two areas and the first is the forwards. Last year we had Rads, AK, and Tootoo (although the first two for only part of the season). We replaced them with Big Mac, Clune, and essentially Yip. Before everyone jumps down my throat about "WHO COULD WE HAVE SIGNED" I am not saying we could've gotten anyone, simply stating fact.
Second area, puck movement up ice. Suter's ability to move the puck quickly and accurately is hurting this squad right now. Josi has done a fantastic job carrying his load, but the problem his he can't carry both his and Suter's load on his shoulders.
I don't expect Poile to trade for prime, top end talent. We really don't have the pieces or the pieces we do have we are unwilling to part with. Couple that with tight purse strings and this team will never really have high end players... UNLESS we draft and develop them. If there is a knock on Poile, it his his ability to draft gifted offensive players. He has done great with D men and goalies... forwards... certainly debatable. Most of his trades have even paid off in the end or where the right moves, the team just didn't perform to the best of their abilities.
EDIT: Not even sure if it is a Poile thing as much as it is a Trotz AND Poile thing. Nashville's playing style does not exactly promote offensive flair either.
