I don't know. It could be that, but there are just other things that make you question whether it isn't something bigger. It's not like this kind of performance is unique to this season...
Do you think 4 games is a big enough sample size to start making those sorts of generalizations?
Do you think 4 games is a big enough sample size to start making those sorts of generalizations?
That's what I'm trying to say though. I'm not making generalizations off of 4 games. I'm using this season in combination with last season. It doesn't seem like things have changed much.
That's what I'm trying to say though. I'm not making generalizations off of 4 games. I'm using this season in combination with last season. It doesn't seem like things have changed much.
And I'm saying 4 games into a season that had 5 days of camp and no pre-season will not likely be representative.
And I'm saying 4 games into a season that had 5 days of camp and no pre-season will not likely be representative.
Give. It. Time.
We'll see I guess...
I get what you're saying, but that doesn't lessen my worries that things haven't changed much. I mean supposedly the modified system has been implemented in WBS, but they were a mess defensively up until the lockout ended as well. You can argue the talent level wasn't there on that team while other teams had regular NHL'ers playing in the minors, but again there is an overarching theme that can be seen.
I get what you're saying, but that doesn't lessen my worries that things haven't changed much. I mean supposedly the modified system has been implemented in WBS, but they were a mess defensively up until the lockout ended as well. You can argue the talent level wasn't there on that team while other teams had regular NHL'ers playing in the minors, but again there is an overarching theme that can be seen.
The human mind sees patterns in a lot of things. Even when they're not there.
There's a ton of kinks that need to be worked out that are usually done in the preseason. These first few weeks of the season are effectively the preseason games. Hopefully by game 10 or 15, we have some rigidity to this lineup, and we know what works and what doesn't. In all honesty, I wouldn't be at all shocked to see a trade come before we hit game 15.
I think that TK-Malkin-Neal line can work, but like Jacob was saying in the GDT...Neal and Kennedy need to be flipped. Sort of hard to tell a 40 goal guy, "hey bud, you're going to the other side to help this guy out." I would give it a shot because I don't think it matters at all where James Neal plays, where TK looked like garbage on his off wing...specifically in the defensive zone.
I'd put Tangradi with Sid. Since Tangradi has gotten looks in the league, he's played a shift or two with Sid from time to time, and he always brings his game up a notch, it seems, when being centered by 87. Sid's style of play is sort of more predictable too, although playing with Sid and whoever else, you're not going to get the looks you will with 2 guys capable of scoring 40-50 in Geno and Neal.
I am finally seeing the bugaboo's in Brandon Sutter's offensive game play, and hilariously enough, it's the same as Staal's. Sutter has a very, very high hockey IQ. Very high, and I'm incredibly impressed with it. He just seems to lack a little offensive confidence, and he whifs on some really good scoring opportunities. I think that will come, and when it does, he may put some realllllly good scoring seasons together. Like Jordan, he plays a game well beyond a 23 year old typically plays.
Not entirely sure what else he has to do to be considered "good" then. He's a top 10 defenseman in the league.
Ill give you top 15-20 for sure...i love Letang..totally glad we have him...its just that some people talk of him like god-like. We dont have 4 top 4 on D but he def is one of them (i know, duh)
