Quote:
Originally Posted by iggypop
Legit, who’s everyone’s favourite flame right now? I can’t name anyone lol.
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Sure, I'll go:
I think Backlund has been superb this year. He's got great energy every night and routinely handles his own end and then creates good offensive opportunities at the other end. Whatever wingers you put with him have looked really good too. He's been fantastic.
I love seeing Rasmus Andersson move slowly toward becoming a true #1 defenseman. He's really playing well in the offensive end and has even played a little more consistently defensively. Hasn't had a partner yet that has supported him that well, but he's been great.
Vladar has shown that he's more than just a capable backup, he has borderline starter potential. If Markstrom were ever to go down with an injury I feel very comfortable running with him as the starter.
Both Dube and Zadorov continue to improve upon their seasons from last year and are becoming more consistently positive contributors at both ends. I also think Toffoli has returned to the player we thought we were getting when we traded for him: a consistent, albeit unflashy, 20+ goal scorer.
There is plenty to like about this team. I think it's pretty hard to sit here and say they're all terrible or that there's nothing to like. They aren't playing sharp or crisp right now, and there's a lack of creativity that I don't think Darryl can suddenly coach into them, so yes, there are significant flaws that we shouldn't ignore. But those thinking that this is a team doomed to years of mediocrity or are close to getting a top 5 pick are absolutely overreacting to what I always assumed would be a transition season. We tore out the core and put in a new one, it takes time to adjust the team around that new core. They probably don't put it all together this year, but a few adjustments to the roster or playing style and they're likely back near the top of the division.
I'm not waving the pom poms here, but I certainly don't believe doom and gloom is the answer either. As with all things, the truth about this team is somewhere in the middle.