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Originally Posted by DAChampion
I think that once Markov comes back a lot of fans are going to be shocked that we're not 2nd place in the conference. A mythology has been built up that his injuries are the root of all our problems.
I'm so sick of "if only we had Markov". It's tiresome, weak, and ignorant.
In any given year some things go wrong and some things go right. Yes Markov was injured, but Subban, Gorges, Price, Plekanec, Cole, Pacioretty, Eller, Desharnais, were not.
Our three most important players are Price, Plekanec, and Subban. They were fine. They've been fine for a while.
If Price or Subban were injured, we wouldn't be last in the conference, we'd be last in the league.
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No, no and no. Markov is quite easily our best player. After him it is Price, and then Plekanec/Subban. Markov is our best offensive player and our best defensive player, all in one. He is so important to this team it's not even funny. Think Boston without Chara, Philly without Pronger, Detroit without Lidstrom. Pk will hopefully get there one day, but he isn't there yet.
Quote:
Originally Posted by DAChampion
The core problems with this team are a lack of grit,
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Fixed
Quote:
Originally Posted by DAChampion
a lack of mean shutdown ability on the defense,
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Agreed on the mean part but not necessary until end of the year/playoffs, and relatively easy to find.
Quote:
Originally Posted by DAChampion
a lack of a point shot from the defensemen,
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No we lacked a threat from the half boards on either side, teams could step up on Subban all day because of the lack of talent on the half boards. Cammy busted there, and Pacioretty is a down low player, not a guy who can hold the puck on the half boards.
Quote:
Originally Posted by DAChampion
and a lack of goal-scoring aptitude among the forwards.
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Exactly why we needed Galchenyuk!