I don't think we have an improvement but I'm glad that we have 2 offensive lines and 2 checking lines. I hope that we finally play big time minutes with our top lines and less with the bottom ones (not like Carbonneau did : 1,2,3,4,1,2,3,4,1...)
On paper it might not look like it...but we've added chemistry and players with heart + character, which is what we lacked.
Think about it...in recent years Koivu and Kovalev were never gelled with a single player. On paper they look like great players, but on the ice...they never gave good results, and I don't think it was always because of the players around them.
Cammalleri will play with Gomez, Gionta will play with Plekanec... but yeah.. it's more of the same (a stanley cup worthy group) all that depends is what our injuries look like.
so long as we don't lose Markov/Spacek we're going to do fine. Not having a triggerman for our PP lost us a bunch of games we would have won the year before, and the loss of both Markov/Schneider is what killed us in the playoffs (not any lack of grit or heart or skill or anything else).
I don't think we have an improvement but I'm glad that we have 2 offensive lines and 2 checking lines. I hope that we finally play big time minutes with our top lines and less with the bottom ones (not like Carbonneau did : 1,2,3,4,1,2,3,4,1...)
You forgot something from last year's lineup that makes this years look a lot better...
The offense of 2008-2009 is equal to the one of next season, but the defense of next season is better in my opinion for the Jacques Martin system. I also take the goaltending tandem of next season ahead of last season. Price and Halak gained experience from last year's slump and I'm more confident in having Sanford than Denis as a third goalie.
Cammalleri will play with Gomez, Gionta will play with Plekanec... but yeah.. it's more of the same (a stanley cup worthy group) all that depends is what our injuries look like.
so long as we don't lose Markov/Spacek we're going to do fine. Not having a triggerman for our PP lost us a bunch of games we would have won the year before, and the loss of both Markov/Schneider is what killed us in the playoffs (not any lack of grit or heart or skill or anything else).
To last year's Higgins? Like hell it's wrong. Higgins had 9 goals in a season where had multiple chances on redeeming himslef, but never did. If Pacioretty plays with the same kind of players Higgins did, i have no doubt he will outscore him by a fair margin.
I find that its fun that we have a fresh look and more North American, we all know that size could be a factor but I think that speed burns and we have plenty of that
Gomez > (or = depending on certain factors) Koivu
Cammelleri > Kovalev (Less dekes, more goals please)
Gionta = (or < because some people underrate Tanguay's ability to move the puck, yes he's soft but he's an excellent player) Tanguay
Spacek > Schneider (younger and about the same offensively and defensively)
Gill > Bouillon (5'8 vs 6'7, about the same defensively and offensively but the reach wins)
Max Pac < Higgins (Max is gonna be a great player for us in the future but Higgins is a lot better than people think, last year was a bad year for everyone for the exception of Markov, Gorges, Kosto, Lapierre & Lats)
Moen > Kostopoulos (Moen's Kostopoulos' twin brother but bigger and stronger)
Mara <<< Komisarek (If Komisarek plays like he did last year, he's still better than Mara, but if he returns to the Komi of 2007-2008 it's gonna be a wash for him)
Weber/Subban > Brisebois (No need to argue)
To last year's Higgins? Like hell it's wrong. Higgins had 9 goals in a season where had multiple chances on redeeming himslef, but never did. If Pacioretty plays with the same kind of players Higgins did, i have no doubt he will outscore him by a fair margin.
True enough, I forgot the title of this thread said last year... but all in all this year Im sure Higgy will redeem himself and MaxPac has yet to prove himself in the NHL ( Im a fan of his and I hope he proves me wrong this season )
Mara <<< Komisarek (If Komisarek plays like he did last year, he's still better than Mara, but if he returns to the Komi of 2007-2008 it's gonna be a wash for him)
I think that Mara's offensive production will outweight Komi's hits, as Mara is just as good at clearing the net. Mara's slapper will be a new weapon at 5 on 5.
No hes not > higgins and he wont be in the lineup anyways. It is not his time yet. maybe in the middle of the season but not at the start, he is still too "raw"
