our hockey operations team, led by rob blake and john stevens, believe in the collective make-up of this group. Since taking over back in april, they have already made improvements highlighted by significant changes to our coaching staff that will emphasize creativity, while focusing on implementing an effective offensive approach, as well as maintaining our stalwart defensive game.
Our culture remains strong and our belief that we belong at the top of the nhl has only been strengthened by these changes and our attention and focus on the following:
New multi-year contract extensions for tyler toffoli and tanner pearson, both of whom are entering their prime
a core group in anze kopitar, drew doughty, jonathan quick, jeff carter, toffoli, pearson, dustin brown, alec martinez and jake muzzin that we believe is as strong, proven and dynamic as any other group in the nhl
full recovery and renewed health for quick, toffoli and marian gaborik, and the expectation that several key players will return to their productive ways
upgrades in depth and skill with the off-season additions of michael cammalleri, christian folin, oscar fantenberg and alex iafallo. Plus, a significant upgrade to our depth in goal with the signings of darcy kuemper and highly-touted goaltender cal petersen
the promise of young, emerging players such as adrian kempe, jonny brodzinski, paul ladue, derek forbort and kevin gravel
additional cap space and a full commitment from ownership to spend to the cap
a newly created coaching role for nhl-great pierre turgeon, who will specifically focus on helping implement an up-tempo, attacking offensive style of play
as it relates specifically to our coaching staff, these new additions to our staff will implement new strategies allowing us to evolve with the changing landscape in the nhl without sacrificing our established brand of hockey that we feel positions us to contend for more stanley cups.
