27 goals for 16 against, second best GF in the league, Leafs can score that's for sure.
No Clarkson, No Frazer, No JVR , No Kulemin, No Bernier….No problem.
Can't wait until Clarkson comes back! His ability to get other players so angry alone is huge let alone his skills! Going to be a huge boost to a team that's already finding a way to win every night!
LA, Boston and Pittsburgh's Cups were more of a product of huge performance of their goalies in PO. I think we will easily get by with D we have if our goal-tending stays hot / extremely reliable.
You do realize that we ARE top ten in GAA so far this year, seventh to be exact.
Playoff team: Yes
Solid Playoff team: Yes
Stanley Cup contenders: Yes
Stanley Cup favourites: No
My opinion isn't based off our play so far, but rather the talent on our roster, the closeness of the players, the strength of our goaltending, the experience of our coach, and the willingness of our GM to continue to improve the team between now and the deadline.
This team, the core especially, is ridiculously young. In a few years probably.
agree with all except SJ.. they are much better than us imoThis
I think in the East only Boston is ahead of us and I'd say with the depth they lost they aren't THAT much better. PIT is on our level.
In the west, Chicago, LA and STL are slightly above us. I see Colorado leveling out soon, great offense but their defense/goaltending is playing very above expectations.
As of now I'd put us on Par with Vancouver, Detroit, Minny and SJ in terms of chances to win the cup, very good teams, just do we have that extra oomph/player that puts us above the favourites?
What if we pick up a top 4 pairing D-man for a 1st + prospect by the deadline. Or a center with a similar skill set as Jeff Carter?
Now are we a serious team?
What if we pick up a top 4 pairing D-man for a 1st + prospect by the deadline. Or a center with a similar skill set as Jeff Carter?
Now are we a serious team?
I just dont see it happening with the cap this year, we're too close to the cap which means someone like Bozak would have to go the other way.
it would have to be like a Bozak+Gardiner for say a Stastny or Carter or whoever.
But the problem with that is, if your team is playing really well, why bother taking out a piece like Gardiner?
I think we may pick up someone in the offseason however, to really put us over the top, imagine getting like a dan girardi?
Tier 1: The 4 elite (until proven otherwise)
LA
Pitsburgh
Chicago
Boston
Tier 2:
St Louis
San Jose
Detroit
Toronto
Vancouver
We belong in that tier IMO. We have a very similar team to St.Louis in terms of depth and similar to san Jose in terms of offence.
What if we pick up a top 4 pairing D-man for a 1st + prospect by the deadline. Or a center with a similar skill set as Jeff Carter?
Now are we a serious team?
Really good question especially considering our overflowing D prospect pool. One or two of Finn/Percy/Blacker/MacWilliam will be available along with a pick or two at the deadline and should reel in a nice rental piece if we're still contending by the deadline.