Frustrating result but not entirely unexpected. This team could perhaps grab a playoff spot but there is nothing to indicate that they’d go deep (yes playoffs are a new game and all that). Frankly the team lacks skill but has some nice complimentary pieces. Unfortunately when you try to build a team around that the results won’t be very good.
We are desperately missing top end skill and to make things worse the one guy who was supposed to fill the majority of Johnny’s contributions is either having a mediocre year or simply not capable of being the guy. This isn’t necessarily about Huberdeau because the team has many more holes.
Shame to waste a great goaltending effort but once again no run support. Sutter’s system is not the issue. You don’t win coach of the year and then all of the sudden regress to be a non playoff team. I’ve accepted the fact that this team is mediocre at best. Pundits who claimed we were Stanley Cup favourites were obviously very wrong. Making the playoffs is going to be tough for this group.
I’ve said this before but there isn’t much that can be done other than staying the course. Can’t trade our way out of this problem, unless the goal is to acquire assets and start over. I just don’t see that being an option if you look at how agressive Tree and ownership was in ensuring we remain competitive. Let’s hope they can turn this around but the argument of needing time to gel or figure out a new system is starting to dwindle. There’s been enough of a sample size to get a good read on this group.
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