I think there is a chance for Isles to finish bottom 10. Why? They still have two of the toughest western swing road trips and a compact schedule with many back to back games and some of the best goalies to deal with on this road trip. They also still have quite a few games left against some of the toughest teams in Metro all fighting for a top divisional spot -Pens, Rags and Canes.
Isles has not been good road team and could not win at home against teams in the playoff position. Only Habs, Coyotes, Flyers, and Krakens are actually playing consistently worse. Flyers if some of their many injured players return to the line-up, they may play better later in the season.
Yes they have games in hand but the schedule will real hurt them. Realistically, this team can only win if they have everyone playing at their top level each shift, as they do not have a game breaker who can carry the team on his shoulder, it is hard to do that with the compact schedule they have left and the travel.
If they can finish a bottom 6, they will for sure pick up a very good player, and bottom 10 likely do too (if draft smart) and also give them a chance at lottery. However I do not want Isles ending up landing the first 2 lottery spot because then they have no shot at all to get the number 1 and 2 next year due to the new lottery pick rule. The top 2 picks next year will be future superstar so it may be better they end up picking number 3, 4 and 5.
They have to scout the entire top 1-20 draft eligible 2022 prospects and know their details inside out. Isles need to identify what kind of players they desperately lack in the line-up and go for it. Lou always have ways to get rid of undesired contracts and find more room to fit new players in the line-up. They have to find that player with combo of speed/size/Iq/hand-eye who thrives on winning and mature enough to deal with temporary set backs like minor injuries and able to play against tougher competition. Like I say, you can't find these kind of player via trade and UFA route is too competitive and costly. You DO NEED to find them in draft.
Isles has not been good road team and could not win at home against teams in the playoff position. Only Habs, Coyotes, Flyers, and Krakens are actually playing consistently worse. Flyers if some of their many injured players return to the line-up, they may play better later in the season.
Yes they have games in hand but the schedule will real hurt them. Realistically, this team can only win if they have everyone playing at their top level each shift, as they do not have a game breaker who can carry the team on his shoulder, it is hard to do that with the compact schedule they have left and the travel.
If they can finish a bottom 6, they will for sure pick up a very good player, and bottom 10 likely do too (if draft smart) and also give them a chance at lottery. However I do not want Isles ending up landing the first 2 lottery spot because then they have no shot at all to get the number 1 and 2 next year due to the new lottery pick rule. The top 2 picks next year will be future superstar so it may be better they end up picking number 3, 4 and 5.
They have to scout the entire top 1-20 draft eligible 2022 prospects and know their details inside out. Isles need to identify what kind of players they desperately lack in the line-up and go for it. Lou always have ways to get rid of undesired contracts and find more room to fit new players in the line-up. They have to find that player with combo of speed/size/Iq/hand-eye who thrives on winning and mature enough to deal with temporary set backs like minor injuries and able to play against tougher competition. Like I say, you can't find these kind of player via trade and UFA route is too competitive and costly. You DO NEED to find them in draft.
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