Quote:
Originally Posted by CroFlames
All these things lead me to believe they will bounce back.
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I'm not as optimistic -- from a sample size perspective, they are starting to look more like the exception rather than the rule.
That said, I think they can still be very good contributors with a dynamic player (like Lindholm) on the wing. Indeed, the experiment of plugging someone onto the wing and letting them get carried along by 13 and 23 has been a failure -- clearly the organization was hoping someone like Simon or Leivo could fill that role, but they haven't. Ritchie brings some complementary tools to the table, but he isn't the answer.
Unfortunately, that strategy also involved putting Lindholm at centre with Tkachuk. While they're 1-2 in team scoring, they're not NHL "first line" calibre either.
As a team they're playing better under Sutter, but if they're wanting to do any damage in the playoffs -- assuming of course they make the playoffs -- they will need 13 and 23 leading the charge.