Bryanbryoil
Pray For Ukraine
- Sep 13, 2004
- 86,171
- 34,526
Ultimately the way that I see it we need upgrades on: Gagner, Whitney, Potter, Petrell, and Smyth.
Smyth IMO was signed for one year too many and he is so slow at this point that I cringe at the thought of seeing how slow he'll be next season.
We need to cut ties with Whitney as soon as possible, the good thing is that as it stands he's our #5 defenseman now so it's much easier to replace the current version of Whitney than when he was at his best.
Gagner looked a bit stronger physically by my eye last night but maybe a tad slower as well. I'm still not convinced that he's the guy to center this teams 2nd line when we start to make some real noise in the playoffs, maybe he proves me wrong because management can't get an upgrade anytime soon or he finally breaks out?
Potter is self explanatory, IMO he isn't enough of a specialist to warrant a spot in the top 6. Fistric would probably be a good replacement.
Petrell works hard and I don't mind him, he's a bit player but I'd like a little more toughness in his spot.
Our top 4 on D looks solid, Petry and Smid look to be a tough to play against pairing that can also get the puck up ice. Both are very good skaters which always helps when you match up against the leagues best.
Nick and Justin Schultz bring solid defensive positioning and stick work which is also very effective. Justin adds elite offensive ability from the blueline as well which was something that we've lacked for a long, long time.
Hall-RNH-Eberle are coming into their own, Hall's speed and tenacity bring one dimension to the line, RNH's vision and defensive stick work brings another and Eberle's elite hands yet another.
Yakupov can play either side and when he gets a feel for the NHL game should be an impact player. Hemsky as always brings skill to his line, if he is fine with a secondary role and he can stay healthy he will be a much needed secondary scoring option.
Hartikainen will be Smyth's heir apparent, bigger and stronger than Smyth ever was and faster than Smyth as well, even if Harski never develops the hands around the net that Smyth does his screening ability and strength down low will be a great asset to the team. Horcoff or a player like him will be fine in a 3rd line center capacity, a little better speed and faceoff ability would be nice actually.
A motivated Ben Eager is a very valuable player, very few big men can skate like Eager can and he shows a legitimate mean streak out there with some "crazy" mixed in which can be an asset. Belanger brings a PK element and is a faceoff specialist who can also get under the opponents skin a bit.
Dubnyk's worth as a #1 goalie is TBD, but IMO he hasn't been given enough time to show if he is capable or incapable of filling that role.
As it stands if we have all hands on deck and everyone is pulling in the same direction, this team could see its first playoff action since our Game 7 loss to Carolina. Even if the team doesn't change much I don't see too many teams that would be eager to face us in the 1st round. With the skill that our team possesses we could still score in bunches and beat teams that carry the play for much of the game. Things are finally starting to look up for this team and once they get a taste of winning they will detest losing even more. Most of them have seen what the basement looks like, now they are all dying to see what the penthouse looks like and once they get there I'm pretty sure that they'll want to do what it takes to stay there.
Smyth IMO was signed for one year too many and he is so slow at this point that I cringe at the thought of seeing how slow he'll be next season.
We need to cut ties with Whitney as soon as possible, the good thing is that as it stands he's our #5 defenseman now so it's much easier to replace the current version of Whitney than when he was at his best.
Gagner looked a bit stronger physically by my eye last night but maybe a tad slower as well. I'm still not convinced that he's the guy to center this teams 2nd line when we start to make some real noise in the playoffs, maybe he proves me wrong because management can't get an upgrade anytime soon or he finally breaks out?
Potter is self explanatory, IMO he isn't enough of a specialist to warrant a spot in the top 6. Fistric would probably be a good replacement.
Petrell works hard and I don't mind him, he's a bit player but I'd like a little more toughness in his spot.
Our top 4 on D looks solid, Petry and Smid look to be a tough to play against pairing that can also get the puck up ice. Both are very good skaters which always helps when you match up against the leagues best.
Nick and Justin Schultz bring solid defensive positioning and stick work which is also very effective. Justin adds elite offensive ability from the blueline as well which was something that we've lacked for a long, long time.
Hall-RNH-Eberle are coming into their own, Hall's speed and tenacity bring one dimension to the line, RNH's vision and defensive stick work brings another and Eberle's elite hands yet another.
Yakupov can play either side and when he gets a feel for the NHL game should be an impact player. Hemsky as always brings skill to his line, if he is fine with a secondary role and he can stay healthy he will be a much needed secondary scoring option.
Hartikainen will be Smyth's heir apparent, bigger and stronger than Smyth ever was and faster than Smyth as well, even if Harski never develops the hands around the net that Smyth does his screening ability and strength down low will be a great asset to the team. Horcoff or a player like him will be fine in a 3rd line center capacity, a little better speed and faceoff ability would be nice actually.
A motivated Ben Eager is a very valuable player, very few big men can skate like Eager can and he shows a legitimate mean streak out there with some "crazy" mixed in which can be an asset. Belanger brings a PK element and is a faceoff specialist who can also get under the opponents skin a bit.
Dubnyk's worth as a #1 goalie is TBD, but IMO he hasn't been given enough time to show if he is capable or incapable of filling that role.
As it stands if we have all hands on deck and everyone is pulling in the same direction, this team could see its first playoff action since our Game 7 loss to Carolina. Even if the team doesn't change much I don't see too many teams that would be eager to face us in the 1st round. With the skill that our team possesses we could still score in bunches and beat teams that carry the play for much of the game. Things are finally starting to look up for this team and once they get a taste of winning they will detest losing even more. Most of them have seen what the basement looks like, now they are all dying to see what the penthouse looks like and once they get there I'm pretty sure that they'll want to do what it takes to stay there.
