Don't know if I'm just being a homer and can't wait to watch this team but the more I read about Cooper and hear him talk, I feel like this team will actually be a difficult team to play against and we may actually do ok this year. Anybody thinking playoffs? I'm not going to make such predictions but I think it may not be as crazy as many think it is. I will just shut up and wait for the games to be played
This is a heart thing. Heart wise I have two questions malone and brewer. Have they lost a step. I seriously doubt either can be player whom we brought in 3 years ago. If we ship them at or before trade deadline I think we can steal the last spot with luck us ending 14-20 games at home will be huge. Think is gonna be 5-6 teams within 2-3 points for final two spots at the very least. We are going to be one of those teams.
Yet we will not get in without malone and brewer upgrading the last two years of play. I would like us to make two moves and get two d men one ready for top 4 and one whom projects top four whom is ready for full time duty just not enough time to get in top four and want them rh d gritty physical shut down types. We have plenty of puck carrying skilled d men now we need some bruiser types.
I did projections on detroit board yesterday and really believe we have to fight the three canadian teams for that final spot. I also believe in other division columbus can steal that final spot and washington becomes a major casualty.
We have a lot of favor with schedule etc.. Is up to guys being accountable in own end and learning to all play solidly and smarter hockey. Is not a huge change.
Cooper will not allow guys to camp in front of nets. We will hit more and be more physical than last year. We will limit the odd man rushes by being a more traditional less confusing team.
I worry on our ability to get pucks out of our end and get deep and chase pucks. Yet we are a much better roster this year than last at those areas. DONT yell at me about losing vinny lol I am talking about kids coming up whom are used to coopers style and valtteri whom is good two way player.
Drouin will probably be weakest defense wise on team this year but will work at it hard and his upside on scoring cannot be diminished to overlook mistakes he will make next 2-3 years. I think down road he will be comparable to st louis on defense not as good but good enough solid enough but that is gonna take some time. Vladdy will be solid two way when comes panik killorn johnson palat are all good at two way play and all hit even if is not biggest hitters or guys
Connolly might come up and his weakness is still defense also but is getting a lot better and BIGGER!! Which will help him
So yes with luck we get that fourth spot and columbus steals the fifth or other way around boston and detroit are easily better than everyone else with us fighting in order I think montreal ottawa and toronto. Think other division of ny rangers and philadelphia are also better than us with pittsburgh winning most games but a joke and easy out for the really tough teams IE detroit and boston in playoffs.
I think as stands if do nothing and can be wrong
We fall short but if we move malone and or prospects when needed and cover brewers defienciencies cant spell? with a couple d men for playoff push at trade deadline at latest with schedule we are the team to beat for those final two spots. Yet we will see is long season think will be teams in a lot of salary cap problems and if a main cog goes down and they dont have guys to come up they will really be hurting we seem to have that covered.
I would like 9 d men ready to play couple whom can play for or ready for some time in top four. We dont have that and think is vital to address this year to make the run.
We compete are right there but will fall short without those moves. If make those moves which expect we sneak in this year because of other teams being unable to address their needs with cap issues or lack of talent to get someone needed at right time to make a difference
etc..