Even before Ortio got injured, almost every single player was performing worse than last year except maybe Elson and a few of the older guys. Even Ortio's stats are quite a bit worse than last year (in the AHL). The team isn't really any younger than it was last year. Hanowski, Granlund, Ferland, Reinhart, Ortio, Elson, Wootherspoon, etc are all a year older. I don't believe a lack of center depth is a problem, since almost all of the forward prospects can play center. The scoring depth should have been pretty good as well.
I think the high-end defensive depth needs work, but it needed work last year too. From what I've seen, Huska is in over his head. I don't know what's going on in the locker room or anything though, so I can't say for sure.
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