Gudbranson hasn't been very good for the Canucks this season so IMO that trade is kind of a wash at the moment. Panthers last season were similar to the Flames a couple of years back where a lot of things went right for them. I think few people are surprised they have regressed as the roster is good but not great.
I look at that Avalanche and they have a small group of good young forwards but then I see Bourque, Comeau, Iginla, and Colborne employed in prominent roles and I ask myself what exactly are they trying to build there. I will say Roy put them in a really bad position in the offseason quitting when they did as they were forced to go with an unproven head coach and to date he's struggled. Maybe a better head coach would have them playing more competitive but that's not a very good overall roster there. I do like that Pickard kid in net. The team in front of him is crap but he's really battled and made a lot of saves in the games I have seen him play.
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