I will take a different approach. Let's break the team down to overachievers, underachievers, and achievers. I'm just using O, U, and A next to their names.
Defense:
Boychuk O
Mayfield O
Toews O (so far)
Pulock O (considering he is out there as our number 1)
Leddy U
Pelech U
Hickey A (he is what we expected, let's be honest)
Forwards:
Nelson O
Lee O (while he is not scoring the goals from the last few years I think he has done a fabulous job as Captain)
Filppula O
Cizikas O
Barzal O (different roll and and adjustment is going into this, he is becoming a better player overall)
Bailey A
Beauvillier A
Komarov A
Martin A
Eberle U
Clutterbuck U
INC:
Johnston
MDC
JHS
Sbiza
Goalies:
Lehner O
Greiss A
I would say most have done better than expected and some big leaps in there in terms of growth. This team is not a cup contender by any stretch of the imagination and will obviously need more pieces. Considering we were suppose to be a bottom 5 team in the NHL obviously we are ahead in certain areas.
The good/bad of this season with the team right in the playoffs hunt is...
What is the long term plans for our UFA's and players like JHS and MDC?
Whatever happens, this team has done far better than expected and I also like that Trotz has brought up players and given them a shot instead of the Gionta's and Bernier's of the world.
I find this one of the toughest seasons to be right in the hunt come deadline with so many questions in the air. With that being said, I'm glad we have a real Coach and GM leading is into the deadline and I feel more confident that better days are ahead. We have a ton of cap space and a pretty good prospect pool to go along with it.
John
