There is a somewhat interesting pattern I’ve noticed — more optimistic expectations for the team usually involve the offense achieving at a higher level. Be it with some guys taking the next steps, or getting more ice time, or rookies playing strong, etc.. it tends to involve point production.
But for me, the biggest concern continues to be the defense. I just don’t know if that defense will hold up over a long season. There are a lot of question marks on that blue line and Lundqvist’s down stretches are getting longer and deeper.
So even if the offense exceeds expectations, I think holding onto leads is going to be a major challenge.
No, I don't think we'll be a contender or even a playoff team. I think we'll be bottom 3rd in the league but closer to #20 than #31. Does anyone else get this feeling? We still have Hank who is past his prime but I think coupled with hopefully a more defensively aware system could keep the goals down enough where it's respectable. We also have some good NHLers like Zib, Zucc, Kreider, Hayes, Buch (this is also a projection), Skjei, Shatty, Smith (another projection). We have some good young players who are before their prime, but it's not like they're plugs like Chytil, Lias, ADA, and Pionk. Thoughts?
FWIW, majority teams at the beginning of every season have issues/high variance, especially those with new coaches/systems.
Happens every season.
We'll see what this team looks like in a month or so and that is likely rhe real NYR.
I never thought we would making the playoffs or lighting up the league but I thought we would have been a little better based on what I seen in Pre-Season.
Shattenkirk, Staal and Smith are lost and the Veterans look as lost as the Rookies.
I know it has only been 3 games so far but it seems as if there is something odd occurring right now.
it's either,
1. Quinns system is more complex then we realize and the players are having trouble grasping it
2. AV really messed this team up and it is going to take a long while to remove his pathogen
3. They are trying to dig an early hole to be in the running for the top pick in next years draft
4. Maybe Quinn is not that good of a Coach and he was brought in for reason number 3
Maybe I am just jumping the gun and getting ahead of myself after a very long off season. But I did expect at least a little more energy and excitement out of this team and so far it has been very disappointing.
I am keeping an open mind. There were no steady forward lines and D pairs yesterday and a lot of them stood around looking confused on checking assignments.
They actually started the game like a bat out of hell. They were moving their legs, they had energy.
#CrappoForKakko