Taking a break from the injury stuff....
This team is very good defensively and somehow became elite at face offs overnight.
Their importance remains overrated but it's comical how they went from almost the worst to almost the best in an offseason. The only big add they made there was Bonino and he doesn't play that much.
Still can't score for f*** 5v5 but at least now they're doing their part to make sure their opponent can't either.
If the team wants to score 5v5 they need d who can move the puck outside of Fox, and pinch well. Let's take a look.
Lindy is a heart and guts guy that the team hates when he's not there. Can't be moved.
Miller is a that unicorn big guy with reach who can skate. Can't be moved.
Trouba, well he's the captain and physical guy. Can't be moved.
Schneider is a kid as d goes and he's third pair.
Gus well he's on the 3rd pair anyway.
Best thing to do is to work on the transition game, which has a lot to do with the forwards skating in the d zone and neutral zone and quick puck movement from the d, and teach the d when to pinch and hold the offensive blue line (like Trouba did on the winning play). It's still early in the season so things should improve. That said, I think management and coaches will always ere on the side of caution. This team/org is happy pushing the puck north with basic plays.