Ducks look like they've finally figured it out.
This wasn't their best effort and was a scheduled loss. But seems like they could conceivably be a moderate threat down the stretch and have to be considered a playoff potential next year.
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Obviously as perhaps the biggest Petey fan on the boards I'm stoked on his performance. He was everywhere, more assertive, shooting, his usual amazing self in the defensive zone (seriously, people don't notice how often he makes an incredible read to break a cycle that's at risk of becoming a long shift in our end), had a couple of really nice passes. That no-looker spin pass to Garland on a puck coming around the boards onto his backhand was world class.
Still doesn't have the elite elite speed or dynamism he will regain next year, but he's smart enough to be really effective without it, and tonight he was.
Thought Joshua had a pretty bad game. I don't hold it against him at all. He started behind the 8 ball due to a cancer diagnosis and it's a hard league to catch up to. But thought Garland and Petey gave him some pucks in fairly good spaces and a lot of plays died on his stick.
Lekkerimaki is clearly more than just a big shot. He has poise and reads defenses, plays with their expectations and can hit a trailer. Like what I'm seeing but think the transformation will come next year when he's added 7 or 8 lbs.
Love the dynamic that Chytil and O'Connor's speed add to the team.
Suter is just such an incredlble swiss army knife. It's sort of sad to lose him, but neat to get an asset for him and happy to see him get a serious contract. He's been such a gift to us, and a pro scouting win, at 1.6 million. Will be happy for him to get 3.2-3.5 for another team, he's earned it.
Boeser had some good touches, a good pass, and could have easily had two goals if not for spectacular saves. But didn't look particularly dynamic. Still gets sort of buried in coverage a lot since his concussion.
Sherwood and Blueger are such a nice buzz saw 4th line option. Hoglander can be, but my God does he make some unconscionable decisions. There was a play where we got a bit stuck in our zone, finally worked the puck out to him under heavy pressure and he throws it into double coverage while standing still into the middle of the ice. Gave the Ducks another shift in our end. The play, and a 4th line beer leaguer would have known this, was to dump it and get the f*** off of the ice. He must give our coaching staff conniptions because he can play 3 or 4 games that range from effective to 'didn't hurt you and did some good things' and then do something you just can't believe.
DeBrusk owned up to it in his interview but he made a couple of terrible passes on the pp. Full credit for his goal and is a fast reliable player when he isn't scoring.
Hronek is deeply underrated by some on here. Moves the puck really well and is really smart and incisive defensively. Sort of plays D like Bieksa did in that he doesn't read passively, he finds the right moment and moves toward the pressure.
Soucy looked like he was having fun out there and effective. Good to see whether we trade him or not. I like him as a player and it has sucked to watch him struggle.
EP25 is clearly an NHL Dman with pretty decent upside. It's so cool that he has fallen into our laps. I didn't think he'd be doing this for at least a year if ever and we still have Willander to come.
MPetey is quietly so effective. I love the trade and signing of him. Just a wet blanket on anything the opposition wants to do.
Forbert: keep him. So good on the PK, an ideal 7 or 6.5 D man.
In fact, even without Hughes we probably have a top 12 D core or so based on depth and guys playing in their correct slot. Add Hughes and it's top 5. Incredible to see this go from an absolute achille's heel to a strength in like a month and a half.
Lankinen didn't see much action, got bad bounces against, and had some uncharacteristically shaky looking moments but was by no means bad and was good enough to win.
Bring on Minnesota.
I love the trade deadline and the stretch of a playoff race. I'm really stoked to see what happens for us, and around the league as well.
