pb1300
#CatsAreComing
I can't believe how big of a difference a year makes. Our defense is without a doubt the most impressive part of our team. Mitchell has made a difference, but I think the biggest acquisition to our defense has been Mark Morris behind the bench. All I read and heard about him in the offseason is how he helped form the Kings' defense in LA, and helped their youth out. Well, you can see that happening here first hand.
-Kulikov, while still not being able to hit the net, has finally started to become that Dman we all thought he could be. His brain farts are WAY down from last season, and he has become a solid top 4 Dman for us. That 300 games played for Dman really is something you have to consider, because Kuli recently passed that, and you can see that transformation.
-Gudbranson has also been solid for us. He has some miscues, but he is much improved as well. I think once he gets more experience, and gets closer to that 300 games played mark, we will see even more improvement.
-What can be said about Ekblad, other than that the kid is absolutely amazing, considering he is an 18 year old rookie playing defense. I thought there were going to be growing pains, and rookie/training camp made me continue to believe that, but once the season started, he has been playing like a vet. Its scary to think how good this kid is going to be once he has a few seasons under his belt. I see no limitations in his game, and expect great things from him. It will be interesting to see how his play is entering the last 3rd of the season, since the schedule is a lot more taxing than the minors.
I know Olsen has been ok with Guds, but I would really like to see another vet Dman added by the deadline to pair with him, if we are in contention. I think we can have an even better defense if that would happen. Soupy has been good as well, and he has been the perfect partner for AK. And I don't think I need to say much about Willie, because we know how good he has been for us.
The next step of our transformation is going to be interesting, when we have our BC Eagles connection join us. I like the fact that McCoshen and Matheson are already a pairing, which should only help their transition to SA, and eventually, Florida. I think having a AK-Kuli, BC pairing, could be a very good top four for us, with Gudbranson manning the 3rd pairing. The future sure does look bright on the blue line.
-Kulikov, while still not being able to hit the net, has finally started to become that Dman we all thought he could be. His brain farts are WAY down from last season, and he has become a solid top 4 Dman for us. That 300 games played for Dman really is something you have to consider, because Kuli recently passed that, and you can see that transformation.
-Gudbranson has also been solid for us. He has some miscues, but he is much improved as well. I think once he gets more experience, and gets closer to that 300 games played mark, we will see even more improvement.
-What can be said about Ekblad, other than that the kid is absolutely amazing, considering he is an 18 year old rookie playing defense. I thought there were going to be growing pains, and rookie/training camp made me continue to believe that, but once the season started, he has been playing like a vet. Its scary to think how good this kid is going to be once he has a few seasons under his belt. I see no limitations in his game, and expect great things from him. It will be interesting to see how his play is entering the last 3rd of the season, since the schedule is a lot more taxing than the minors.
I know Olsen has been ok with Guds, but I would really like to see another vet Dman added by the deadline to pair with him, if we are in contention. I think we can have an even better defense if that would happen. Soupy has been good as well, and he has been the perfect partner for AK. And I don't think I need to say much about Willie, because we know how good he has been for us.
The next step of our transformation is going to be interesting, when we have our BC Eagles connection join us. I like the fact that McCoshen and Matheson are already a pairing, which should only help their transition to SA, and eventually, Florida. I think having a AK-Kuli, BC pairing, could be a very good top four for us, with Gudbranson manning the 3rd pairing. The future sure does look bright on the blue line.