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Yeah we are big losers
2010 vs 2011
1C Kopitar vs Kopitar = slight upgrade due to growth of young star
2C Stoll vs Richards = huge upgrade
3C Handzus vs Stoll = slight upgrade
4C Lewis vs Lewis = slight upgrade due to growth of young player
1 LW Penner vs Penner = growth due to familiarity with system and players
2 LW Smyth vs Gagne = no edge, but more team speed, better defensively
3 LW Poni vs Clifford = no edge, Poni had off year, Cliffy brings it, but still learning
4 LW Clifford vs TBD = loss -Cliffy midseason on was a mini beast, hard to match
1 RW Williams vs Williams = no edge, although this years version is healthy
2 RW Brown vs Brown = no edge
3 RW Simmonds vs Richardson = slight loss, even if Simmer underperformed
4 RW Westgarth vs Westgarth = even w a year of seasoning, not much upside
Defensive Core - Remains the same, Doughty not injured, JJ keeps getting better, Martinez emerging. Should be better this time around.
Goalies are studs. Quick has earned #1 status and Bernier on his way.
Now position by position we are almost better from 2010 to 2011 by way of growth of young players.
When our key losses were Ryan Smyth and Handzus who were slowing this team down and replaced by Gagne (a playoff beast) and Richards (one of the best 2 way centers in the game, we are in good shape.
I will miss Simmer of 2 years ago, but not the Simmer of last as the Simmer of last is easily replacable. Richards intensity, Cliffy's aggression, and Westgarths growth should make up for it.
Overall - The team got younger, faster, and better defensively. They added an upper echelon center with leadership characcteristics who brings it every night and can also light the lamp. They also got a proven playoff winger who plays with a bit of an edge and will either get hurt or put up points. The team is in great shape going forward, and is stronger then last years edition.
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