Problem is that it's the exact same plan with the exact same questions as last year.
Bringing in Danault, Arvidsson, Edler and Fiala didn't answer any questions, it just postponed them a little bit down the road. Now that would be cool if you are still trying to figure things out, but the answers are already there and are the exact same answers as last year.
I keep getting this feeling that they don't want to answer the questions because they already know them - and that is that the Cup core is no longer good enough and making the appopriate changes hurts their marketing plan and what they think the fan base wants. They keep banking on the old identity and just flat out refuse to move forward.
They moved forward last year. Signing Danault was a bold move. Acquiring Arvidsson and Edler were solid moves. You can only improve your team so much, with cap restrictions and trying to keep your top assets as well. You only move 1st rounders and top assets for top players, preferably under age 28. So, that was accomplished getting Fiala and signing him 5 years. Kempe and Iafallo were signed over the last year, for 4 years at decent cap numbers. It's like Blake got one of the best forwards last Summer in Danault and this Summer in Fiala...and only cost a 19th overall and Faber (who was not going to sign here) Those are both A+ moves. Fiala is not even getting warmed up yet...and once he gels with a line, he will produce even more. He finished the last 2 months last yr, with top 10 scoring stats, I beleive. (with Frederick Gaudreau and Boldy's first 40 NHL games)
I do not think they are 'banking on the core' of Kopi, Doughty, Quick any longer. ...but #1 centers are hard to acquire and they have drafted Vilardi, Kuapri, Turcote and Byfield, with a longterm goal of one of them becoming #1 center. It's not unreasonable to think that Byfield / Turcotte would be healthy and further ahead...making some impact. It's a bonus that Vilardi is emerging and taking huge steps this year. I like the way the forward core is taking shape....lots of depth and the ability to ice 12 good NHL forwards each night. It would help if 1 or 2 were of the more physical type.
There are breakdown issues this year and some erratic play, for sure. That;s not on Blake, The PP looks great some nights and then looks meh on others. They need to get that fixed. I think the issues are the defense and
D playing on their off side and not the best of pairings.
Walker needs to go and they really need a top 4 LHD with some jam and that can play all situations.
If Chychrun is that guy, I'd part with a 1st and 2 prospects, but I don't think he's that guy.
Remember the AVS were total crap, 3 years ago. Sakic went out and quietly got some young vets like underrated Burakvosky, Donskoi (not a bad player there, that rebuilding yr) and took a wild shot at getting Nichushkin....Makar bursts on the scene...and then he adds Toews...and some character / depth guys Cogliano, Aube Kubel and they are suddenly contending....and without a top tier goalie, no less. You can't say a rebuild will take 3-5 years. It takes some luck and somehow having one of your draftees becoming a top tier talent....not in 3-4 years, but instantly, like Makar.
There are always setbacks and some players never reach their potential. Injuries happen as well.
The woulda coulda shoulda exists for every team. I'm pretty happy that there are more positives than negatives. The next core must emerge and take over. In a big way. It's not far fetched to see that
it's possible Vilardi, Fiala, Kempe and even Moore / Iafallo to a degree become that...with Danault being a leader.
Maybe Danault takes on the leadershp that Brown was. There needs to be a defenseman that emerges
to be a top tier guy. I think Clarke can, but that may be 2 years before he will be at the level he will be.
Durzi has some special traits, (has a take charge approach and has some jam) but he's got to be more reliable defensively. He seemed to be a little better the last few games and then gets some injury?
Honestly, losing Iafallo was costly. And Byfield going ill for 2 weeks wasn't good.
The #1 PP needs Durzi and Fiala. The 2 best PP offensive weapons together - at least in their
abillities to MOVE and be FLUID and make plays. They both have deception and creativity.
If they won't remove Drew from it? Fine, but let Durzi play the left point. The PP is best when
they are moving and needs to have the ones that excel at that.
