Well, that's the season.
I think Ruzicka started looking better today. I wasn't impressed with his first game, but he was looking more effective today. Really needs to use his size more often, and I really want to see him attack the middle of the ice more. I think he passes well and skate well.
I felt so bad for Phillips bobbling the puck a bit on Backlund's pass. Should have been a tap-in. Probably full of nerves. I thought he got stronger as the game wore on. Looking forward to seeing him at next year's training camp.
Gaudreau continues to impress me. That's what - 15 or 16 games in a row where he is just creating and looking dangerous out there. I haven't seen this Gaudreau in a while. He looks confident out there. I wouldn't say he looks engaged, as it implies that he stopped being engaged for a while. I really believe his effort has always been really high, but I think the way the team was playing didn't allow for him to really attack on offence, as now he has more options as everyone is skating hard to attack too. At any rate, anyone still think that Sutter's system is all about dumping and chasing? Yeah, that's always option 2. Option one has always been to carry the puck in and retain possession.
I would bet if this same exact team returns next season, they make the playoffs. Ideal? No, because they are not a contender with this exact team. I am sure there will be moves, and I welcome it. I just think that this team has been playing better (including down the stretch before being eliminated - I don't count these 4 Vancouver games as important). I think they have been playing Sutter hockey the way that Sutter wants, for the most part.
Changes are coming, and it is going to be quite the off-season for this team. I have no idea who is or isn't getting traded. I just hope that when everything is said and done, the Flames will look better out on the ice and have more success over a full season. Hopefully this is one hell of an off-season for this club.
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