I don't identify as a Quinnite, don't think he was a particularly good coach, and would have fired him. But as always, the hysteria surrounding about it was way over the top.
We won't be able to pay everybody 3 + million on the roster . We still will need some cheap contracts . Howden will sink or swim if he is still around for training camp. It would be a great time for him to add some beef over the Summer .
We are in the “develop” phase now. The foundation has been established. A minor trade or two will for sure happen but the significant pieces upon which this team will succeed (or not) are already here.
We need to address it with speed and versatility, not by doing the old Gorton move of gluing some goober with 3 goals onto the lineup and keeping the top 9 exactly the same.
Gallant needs to squeeze grit out of players like Strome, Zibanejad, and the rest of the star forwards. I think honestly he can get them to play with more sandpaper, absorb a hit to make a play, battle harder along the walls, venture into the slot without hesitation. That's been my stance all along. Grit combined with skill. This formula is very apparent coming out of this year's tourney.
Do we? I believe Mika can be our #1C, but Strome as a 2nd line center? Is he really that? I'm almost tempted to call him a winger who just happens to play the center role nominally. He's not good at faceoffs, he's not good defensively. When he's glued to Panarin, those two go out and the 2nd winger in that line is supposed to cover for them. Is that how it should go? Hell no, considering what our winger depth is. I mean that's the reason why Colin Blackwell and Jesper Fast, 3rd or 4th line wingers got their time with Strome and Panarin. They were just expected to cover for those two guys defensively.
He will from Zibanejad, Panarin, and Kreider. Especially Kreider. No, I don't think he's going to turn Kreider into a 40 goal scorer or Bob Probert, but I think we're gonna get the corsi god back. I say that because those players have done it before.
This becomes real and tangible once we initiate an online petition.
Gallant speaks of "getting with the program". I'm confident he's already getting to work on mapping out roles for each and everyone who's going to be on the opening night roster at this juncture. Strome will likely find himself needing to adapt his game to this type of coach. I think Strome's comments in particular were telling about the stars' coach-player dynamic with Quinn. The Gallant dynamic won't be the same.
I'm skeptical of what Strome has the ability to adapt to. He's 27 and hasn't been in his defensive zone in the NHL yet. At some point, coaches aren't magicians. If anyone ends up being the odd-man out, I think it's him.
