Ten games in and a 4-4-2 record is ok given some of the issues the team has had.
Positives through 10 games:
-5 on 5 play and scoring
-The team wanted depth scoring and they are getting it with 7 forwards pacing 49 or more points. This is with Ehlers slow start and Vilardi's injury. I expect both to be in that range. So it isn't out of the question that we have everyone in the top 9 pacing above 40 this year.
-Scheifele's production bouncing back to bear ppg levels
-JoMo still playing like a high end number 1 dmen
-Perfetti establishing himself as a legit two way top 6 forward
Negatives:
-Special teams are both in bottom 5
-Goaltending has not been good (28th in save percentage)
-Not getting offense from our d outside top pairing.
When I look at it through the lens that the team is in the bottom 5 in special teams and goaltending I have to think there really is nowhere to go but up. We stayed very much in the fight the first 10 games which bonds well. I have no reason to believe Helle won't get his game to where he usually has it and I expect to see improvements in special teams.
I saw Names as the only guy on that line that could play anything close to a physical game against a team that likes to pressure and play the body -
Names is getting tossed under the bus for some reason -
Would it be nice to have a better #2C - sure - but we don't unless your pining for Cole being moved back.
Wouldn't have mattered last night - Cole struggled with the pace Vegas plays - and the reason he didn't have a lot of room is that he can't create it when playing against a fast team that doesn't give you a lot of time.
If anything, the line needs more size - that would be the only reason I would look at moving any of them.
I'm talking in general, not just about last night. And I even mentioned in my game summary post Cole and Ehlers could have used a player with size to create space foe them last night against Vegas. But yes a good learning experience for Cole against a very positonally sound and aggressive team.