Quote:
Originally Posted by dino7c
Now Tkachuk is a +5
Gaudreau is a -16
Lindholm is even
Team structure, the 6 steady dmen with zero injuries, and the goaltending had a lot to do with those numbers. Line was unreal but it was the perfect storm, likely would not have been repeated.
I think its fair to say the team would have 5 more wins if Markstrom was on top of his game, 5 wins would have them first in the West....fine line
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Well, as I said in my other posts, I thought Markstrom was more of a product of his team last season. I‘m not surprised one bit that he has reverted back to his bubble form where he was no help to the team.
Secondly, I’ve also said in the past that Darryl’s tight checking system makes it a lot easier for the defensemen to play their game especially because of the way the F3 defends the opposition breakout. They’re able to step up more because of the back pressure and support. So with how connected the 5 man group is, the team defends considerably better than under say Bill Peters or Geoff Ward and etc. None of that has changed though, same coaches, same system, mostly the same personnel. The only difference is that 13 and 19 are gone and suddenly, the top line can’t check as effectively anymore.
Lastly, you can speculate that they wouldn’t have repeated their career years. But I think otherwise as they were outstanding together in back in 2021. I don’t remember Tkchuk or Lindholm’s numbers off the top of my head, but Gaudreau finished with 22 points in his final 16 games which equated to a pace of 113 points. Then next season, he puts up 115 points in a full season. Pretty darn close.
Even if you discount the numbers, they were just a dominant line shift after shift. That trio tilted the ice whenever they stepped onto the ice and Darryl certainly hasn’t forgotten that with all the shots he’s taken at his stars this season. Stuff like the stars need to make a play, not enough game breakers, no dominant players on this team and etc.