Quote:
Originally Posted by Resolute 14
Granted, but before this season started, it was questionable on whether Gaudreau would even start at the NHL level.
So many things have gone right this year, just for us to be a fringe playoff team. That is something people need to keep sight of. Chances are, we will have to improve in other areas to overcome the fact that some of these guys really will regress next year.
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I think it's a good perspective and I agree with what you said. People need to remember, the team is playing lights out, and we are still a bubble team, so lots and lots of room for improvement. That said, in regards to regression next year, I was thinking the same thing, but then also started to think, who would we expect to regress?
Monahan - I think it might be safe to say he should continue to improve and get better.
Gaudreau - Ditto
Backlund - I think he's proven what he is so he stays put. How much healthy time would we get?
Hudler - Same, stays flat.
Colborne - maybe slight improvement?
Jooris - definitely a prime candidate for Donovan it and regress after a hot season
Rest of the forwards - stay flat
Poirier / Bennett / Ferland - opportunity for some injection of progression to the roster I think.
Brodie - Should expect more growth.
Gio - Regression risk due to this injury?
The rest of the D - no reason to think they regress or improve imo.
Goalies - Flat to maybe improvement if Ortio steps up.
Anyway, point being, I'm not sure we've tones of people overachieve this year (except Jooris) versus us just finding out we had much better than we thought in the system. Looking at the above, even with out any moves I'm not sure it's that hard to believe the team can continue to progress and get better with what we've got. Maybe that's just the fan in me hoping though.