This team has been better than I expected, but i never expected a really strong cup contender, or a lottery team. Kap and Gus are playing great, and having a very legit D when. all are healthy has helped us record wise. Rossi has been vg, though there is no doubt that his numbers are being boosted by playing with Kap.
Hartman's play has been disappointing, even though i never thought he was anything like the 30+g, 60+ pts guy he was two years ago. Besides him, Freddy and Marjo are playing at the level you expect, or better, from 2M/yr players. It's not Marjo's fault he is being stuck in the top 6.
I can see us winning a series, partially because i think the NHL is weak this year. None of the teams scare me, especially if we are healthy. We got beaten by a VGK 3-2, in a very even game....big deal. EDM beat us- finally - big deal. If we play them again with Brodin and JEE healthy I bet on us to kick their asses again.
Still, next year is when i expect the big year. Kap will still be on his old deal, cap wise, Ohgren and/or Yurov will be contributing young legs and energy, Jiricek should be able to step in if a RHD is injured. We will have cap space to sign a FA, and MAF will finally be gone.