- Gonchar was great as a calming influence. His slow decision-making on the PP or more generally on the offensive zone drove me nuts, but on the D zone it translated into the kind of composure that we won't see from Wiercioch for quite a while, if ever. He could carry the puck, and he could absorb a hit without coughing up the puck. It's unfair to expect Wiercioch to blossom into a HoF D like Gonchar, but if he can at least turn into a Rachunek type (RIP) I'll be happy.
- Another guy who could play the puck possession game is also gone. Can't remember his name though...
- and another guy who was pretty responsible defensively and who's gone: Silfverberg.
- Phillips is one year older.
- Neil is one year older.
- Face offs in the D zone! Even though we did better against NJ, we still allowed another goal after a F/O loss. And it's not just a matter of winning a face off, it's a matter of knowing what to do when it's won or when it's lost.
- Less physical play: we don't strike enough fear in the heart of their forwards. Neil isn't hitting like he used to, Greening looks passive, we're missing Ziba, and where did Methot's patented hip check go? Kassian plays very few shifts, and even then he's slow and horribad. He used to manage to hit people last year.
- lack of coordination between D and F, but with time it should improve. I'm no coach, and so I don't know how you fix this.
DrEasy's EasyFixes (TM):
- get a top 4 D (ok than one's easier said than done)
- bring back JOB and Ziba: F/O for the first guy, physical play for the second
- don't pair up Phillips with Gryba. Either play Corvo, or at least use Philly with Wiercioch.
- Methot, Neil, Greening, Smith, Cowen, Ziba, Gryba need to HIT!HIT!HIT!