Quote:
Originally Posted by Textcritic
I would argue that the biggest difference between last year and this season is a personnel issue. Players who were needed to slot in for injuries last year just simply did a better job than this year, and I think that one of the reasons for that is directly connected to just how valuable Brodie is to this team.
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I suppose that I would agree that it is a personnel issue. Players just aren't playing up to the level that is expected of them. But the list of culprits is long, leading me to believe that it is a more general issue than a specific one. The whole team seems to be in a lethargic slump. The spark that existed last year just isn't there. Maybe Brodie coming back provides that shot shot in the arm that the team needs, perhaps his presence has a trickle down effect. I just don't think that a team with the talent still available in the lineup can blame the slow start on one guys absence.
I think in the short term this team needs 2 things. One is to hit the road, they need to get away from the Saddledome. Two is to have a goalie steal a game a la Hiller against Chicago last year. You can never truly throw all of the blame at a goalie, but the complete and utter averageness of their play isn't helping anything.