It's easy to get mesmerized by the offensive talent on this roster. Right now, most of our wins are by blowout or in tight games to lesser teams. We do not yet have the fortitude physicality, balance and depth to consistently win tight games against better teams. When we win, we win on pure talent.
Next year the depth on D should come together with Robertson, Schneider and Lundkvist arriving. Hopefully, we also have a top 6 sorted out by end of next season.
Right now, the forward group is definitely in flux. Our center situation is very much up in the air between Zib and Strome contracts, not yet knowing what Chytil will be and having literally no one behind those 3. In addition, we've got too many wingers who project to be top 6 on the NHL roster. So, our bottom 6 is not constructed in the way a contender might structure their bottom 6.
There's a long way to go before we are contending and consistent. We are essentially in the assessment phase of the rebuild where players are starting to break into the lineup and it's going to take time to see which ones rise to the top. In some ways, this is the hardest part of the process to be patient with. Because every time you have a game like last night, it's shortly followed by a frustrating game where they're not playing up to the level they're capable of.
The good news is (knock on wood) we're not seeing players regressing into bad habits like they were in Buffalo. We're seeing progression, even in small ways from everyone including Gauthier. I mean, even Howden who has regressed offensively never gives up on a play and when he does play is defensively solid.
