For all you "glass is half full" types, does the way we defend not concern you? Does the fact that it hasn't improved in the last couple of seasons not concern you? We conceded 241 goals in the 13-14 season and managed 77 points. We currently sit at 195 with 21 games to go, so well on pace to concede more. I'd also be surprised if we hit 77 points again. We have 3 pieces on the blueline and 5-6 pieces on the forward lines. We shouldn't be this bad. I can accept being bad, but we shouldn't be almost Toronto/Edmonton esq bad.
Even setting last season aside, this season hasn't built on the 13-14 season. We've gotten worse in a lot of ways. Or there hasn't been any improvement. Gio and Brodie as a pair has often been found wanting in their own zone, making bad decisions and giving up loads of scoring chances. Besides our recent 3rd pairing call ups, the rest of the defence has been no better. 2 years down the line and we are still no closer to finding even a stop gap solution in net.
As for the forwards, they have mostly done what has been asked of them, those that have used properly and haven't been played in roles too advanced for them. But their defensive work has been shabby outside a couple of them, as individuals and as a unit. The PK units have been awful all year. Yes they've been let down by poor goaltending, but it doesn't alter the fact that the PK units have been badly lacking all season.
The PP is getting better(in the absence of Wideman, not a coincidence I think), but that was stuck in last for far too long.
Yes, we can write this season off and it will sting a bit less when we approach the draft, but for me, there are massive concerns going into next year that the coaches and GM have to address. I just don't feel like, even though our roster has added more pieces of the roster, our play has improved along with them from 2 years ago. And don't throw last season at me, that was a complete one off.
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