Vancouver has nothing down the middle after Pettersson and Miller. Demko could be a game changer, and i do like Soucy. Even with Soucy and Cole this team still looks like Wolanin will see regular time in the lineup.
Only thing i will play devil's advocate on is the PK. I think Iafallo will be a big loss there.
exactly. I'm not sure how/why you can count on Copley to repeat last season. I hope he does and the guy turned the corner on his career and now is a valid #1 (or platoon #1) NHL goaltender. But we're talking about a random 30 yr old JAG that was signed off the street last year for AHL depth. His W/L record kind of out punched his actual save percentage. It all screams a bit of one year wonder. I hope sure not though.
You're talking about 1 game against the Oilers.
No, I'm just saying that if you use Vilardi's history against him then PLD's can be used against him as well. Are you holding out hope that Vilardi regresses and gets injured?
What do you think is more likely to happen? You really think Dubois will put up less than 60 points and asks out in two years? Did you happen to notice Vilardi missed 19 games this past season? He also officially filed for arbitration, so we’ll find out what number he’s seeking if his case actually goes before an arbitrator.
When I look at the 4th, the main issue I see is the wingers.
Backlund as a fourth line center would be a waste or a glutenous situation. Rather upgrade elsewhere than 4th line. Really LA could dress 7 D and rotate 3 centers in the playoffs
I can and will bitch about the Cloutier signing. The trade I was on the fence on, but then signing him before playing a single game was asinine
I'll just say he dipped to 45% from ~52% in the '22 playoffs. Also, players of all shapes and sizes get hurt but it is a fact that he is 50% in his career so far for getting hurt in the playoffs. He plays a certain way to be effective which is more difficult when every opposing player is bigger than you and they are all not passing up a hit like they might do in the regular season. These guys have to have eyes as big as saucers when they get a chance to hit him.
So some no name average AHL goalie with no NHL experience until last season is expected to be an average NHL goalie? The logic checks out.
It worked out in the end. Not sure why it’s worth being upset about 17 years later but ok.
So his previous nhl stint of 5 years ago really sold you? But you happen to ignore the fact he hasn’t touched NHL ice until last year for some reason?
Considering his age, measurables, contractual status, and mediocre performance last year, the most likely outcome for this season is more of the same.
PLD could and could be good for closer to 90 points with a healthy play driving winger in Fiala.
You do realize Talbot has been said to be one of the worst goalies in the league right? Now imagine 50/50 split with Copley who hasn’t played more than 30 NHL games. A career mediocre AHLer.
