I really don't know what to expect from this team any longer. After tonight, they are a blank canvas for me.
Just going to watch them and cheer them on like I always do. They surprised me positively last year. They are surprising me negatively this year. I will just enjoy watching them period. If they end up doing very poorly, well, at least they draft high. It is a rebuild after all. If they turn the season around, and find a way to squeak into the playoffs, even better.
Still enough storylines on this team to make me happy as a fan.
You get to watch Gaudreau just continually evolve into such a special player, and it really is such a treat to watch him play.
I have to admit, I was starting to think: "Maybe Bennett doesn't really have that elite-level capability in him". The past few games, it has also been a treat to watch him. His playmaking and vision have taken a big step forward. Guess he just needed to play with another skilled player to really get him going.
Think this is just part of the evolution of the team. We were all spoiled last year. We only had to really stomach a half-season of terribleness (lockout year), followed by a lower finish the year after, but one that was somehow so very competitive at the same time. This year? Well, thus far it has been without a doubt the absolute worst. You have to figure if your favorite team is entering a rebuild, there will probably be at least one horrid year us fans have to endure. Maybe this is it. Maybe they turn it around and we skip that horrid year. Guess it is to be determined.
Either way, I just look at this team for what it is - some really nice pieces, but a rebuilding team first and foremost. Whatever happens, happens. Won't cheer for losses - just like the last couple of years when I thought we would be in the MacKinnon lottery, or the Bennett/Ekblad/Reinhart lottery, or the McDavid lottery. If we are in the Mathews lottery, so be it.
Disheartening to see the team performing like this, but at least there still are moments of pure joy watching some of the players developing. Reason enough for me to watch every game.
Just please, show up for every Edmonton and Vancouver game from now on. That is all I ask as a fan.
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