This team will have better talent and be deeper than last year. Every little upgrade helps. Fox and Trouba were playing on 1 leg in the playoffs. I still feel that Lindgren is better defensively than he showed. His previous 3 years were markedly better. Trouba was fine playing 3rd line minutes before the injury. I think Jones will run with his opportunity as well. Carolina and Florida will be good but realistically not as good as last year. I don't share the negativity around here. I think they will have another very good year. Whether they will win a cup next year is dependent on a number of factors but as always the odds are against any one team winning it all. I don't throw in the towel on July 2nd though. You can if you want.
They won the pres trophy with boninno/wheeler/ pitlik/brod playing large portions of the season.
A shesty that was inconsistent for about a month and a half, chytil being injured after 10 genes
Trouba/kakko/fox/lindgren also missed a portion of the season due to injury.
I don’t think they win pres trophy again, it’s possible, but they are still a top 3 team in the east regardless……
This team they are icing is deeper.
All the young kids should have a better season. They are a year older and more experienced.
A lot will depend on how the kids coming up to grab positions pan out.
Say Panarin s point dip, but zibbys increase????
Kreider is a consistent offensive player.
Trochek should be good for 70 pt + give or take….
Cuylle no longer a rookie. I don’t know why some have him on 4th line. He should be getting more ice/opportunity
Performance wise Zibby/kids are X-factors. Does Laf finally get cemented on the PP??
Does smith work well with Zibby Kreider?
Can chytil play more then a 1/4 of a season?
Does Kakko have a breakout year on offense?
Ultimately, avoiding long term injuries to key guys always unforeseen.
This squad is deeper then last years team. They are another year playoff battle tested.
Carrick= Goodrow and smith an upgrade on Roslovic in every way except speed.
Depending on how they finish, they will tinker again at the TDL as well……….
The big moves everyone are waiting for likely come at the end of next year + following year.
Once laf /miller/shesty are all locked in, the picture of what $$ they’ll have left and what FA s/trade targets are available.
Perrault will likely enter the year Panarin exits.