Effort - Definitely Lacking, with this defense and exceptional Defensive Forwards like Backlund, Frolik we should not be allowing this many goals.
Chemistry - The goals just dont seem to be coming right now and alot of that is due to turn overs and bad stretch passes through the neutral zone. I dont remember this team ever getting this many Icing calls.
Goaltending - It hasnt been great and some blame needs to be placed on the teams defensive play. It seems like having 3 goalies is starting to become a problem, and a distraction.
Bad Breaks - I dont think there has really been anything to really complain about
Coaching - The Effort level and defensive play lately is a poor reflection on coaching. There not here to motivate the players but they need to make adjustments and moving Frolik to the top line isnt really the anwser.
Injuries - Our defense with or without Brodie should be top 10 in the league and we have played without Gio for the last 1/4 of the last 2 seasons. I dont see Brodies injury as an excuse. Bouma and Colborne are not impact players and our depth can/has filled in.
Competitors Improving - Lets not give the Oilers too much credit, there Defense and Goaltending is still below average. The Canucks and Jets on the other hand will be right where they were last season, Fighting for a wild card spot. The Pacific imo is weaker than the Central at the moment.
|