[Wolfman]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern2814

Maybe. Maybe not.

If the wheels were going to fall off, it would've happened this year. No Kipper, no Iggy, no Bo, no first line, barely an NHL-calibre defence, no goaltending.

It is possible that everyone regresses horribly next year. But Ramo will have a full year in North America. He and Ortio look like they can stabilize the goaltending position for now, and with Gillies on the way + other drafted prospects, I'm not super concerned about the crease going into next year.

Monahan, Colborne, Byron, Russell, Brodie, and Backlund are all going to be better for their experiences this year. Especially Brodie and Backlund - one is becoming a top pairing defenseman before our eyes at the age of 23, the other is finally starting to resemble the top 6 centre we envisioned when we drafted him.

With any luck, Sven finally takes the steps necessary to be a front-line NHL player next year; I think back to the Capitals game where he was the most dominant player on the ice for multiple shifts. That's who we need him to be all the time.

Add in some free agent moves and trades, to go along with whoever we snag in the draft?

I wouldn't be shocked by a step back next year. But continuity from the top down, and a consistent vision and message from the coaches should limit the negative results.

When can I expect my pizza roll?