|
I think this season we truly had the players to test the "Predator Way". We had the players for 3-4 legitimate 2nd lines. Then injuries decimated our roster. I think it's premature to grade the Predator Way because of the injuries to our true 2nd line players. We're missing three of our starting centers and two of our most productive forwards in Sully (injury) and Dumont (premature aging??). When Poile and Trotz put this team together, it was built on rolling four balanced lines. That simply has not happened.
Additionally, David's point about the playoff strategy of shortening the bench does put us at a disadvantage in some respects - but only if we follow the same strategy of shortening our bench. What would happen if we were healthy. Would Trotz still shorten the bench? He could still roll four lines and play fresh legs against our opponents superstars. Eventually the Toews and Kanes of the NHL will wear down playing 20 plus minutes a night in a tough playoff series.
|