[Huntingwhale]

Tough question, but for me the biggest surprise has been our offence from the back end and their overall play. Just last season most people would have placed our defense in the lower tier of the league. Really the only changes have been the subtraction of Butler and additions of 6/7 guys in Engelland and Diaz. Everthing else stayed the same. So what changed?

Brodie blossoming into a top pairing guy IMO has been the biggest change. We now have an elite, legit top pairing that can play against the best of the best. Russell has also taken a step foward and solidified himself as a good #3. Wideman is earning his pay as a #4. Now people around the league regard our defense as one of the best. Can't really say that the subtraction of Butler is the main reason, but Hartley has them playing to their strengths and it's working. Gio proved again this season that last year was no fluke. We finally have a system in place where our guys can make stretch passes and catch our forwards going up ice at full speed.