Say what? Why is it pointless to compare on paper? Do you really think we would have finished dead last if we had Whitney, Hemsky, Horcoff and Hall play 82 games? I'm not saying it would have been a playoff team, but come on.
What about the Rangers? They grabbed the prize possession of the UFA market. Add Richards, subtract Drury. By your logic, they'd be the 15th best team because that is what they were this year? And CBJ would be the 23rd best team? Can you see how your theory makes basically no sense?
Our overall roster has improved on last year's version. Some teams did nothing to replace the holes in their lineup (aka PHX).
It's not "my logic" it's the reality. If you think the team is good and going to be much better, you're a hopeful homer, and if you think the team will be bad again you're either being negative or a "realist"
There is so many unknowns realated to this team, that comparing them on paper to anyone is completely pointless. How good will the kids be, who will take over in goal, will the defense be better, etc, etc, etc.
The reality is this team has finished dead last twice and on paper isn't good. That's why it will take actual games to see how good they are.
Phoenix is a better team than us. They're in the same situation as Calgary. Until Doan leaves, they're going to be a borderline playoff team.
I get what you're saying, it's a decent comparision, but the difference between Phoenix and Calgary is a goalie. Both teams played their starters tons last year, and now Phoenix will have to rely on a bunch of backups...that's trouble.
I get what you're saying, it's a decent comparision, but the difference between Phoenix and Calgary is a goalie. Both teams played their starters tons last year, and now Phoenix will have to rely on a bunch of backups...that's trouble.
Phoenix is also MUCH better on defense though. Yandle is an elite dman... And J-Bo is not. Phoenix is a team that is very good at shutting down the other team and I don't think they're going to be THAT much worse with a weaker goalie. Also, Bryzgalov's terrible play last year makes me think he wasn't neccesarilly the most integral part of the team
I don't think we're better than anyone right now. All we have are unproven young players, while I think they'll a bunch of them will be really good I can't say they're better than any proven player yet.
Florida is the only team that comes to mind and that's questionable.
I don't think we're better than anyone right now. All we have are unproven young players, while I think they'll a bunch of them will be really good I can't say they're better than any proven player yet.
Florida is the only team that comes to mind and that's questionable.
Everyone's unproven? Whitney is a #1 dman, Hemsky is a star winger, Horcoff and Belanger are a couple good 2 way veteran centers, Gagner is young but still a proven 45-50 point center, Gilbert is a great 2nd pairing guy... And that's not even getting into all the kids... When healthy, the Oil are not a bad team
Look at their defense. Can you honestly say ours is half as good? There's also the Dave Tippet factor. Give him an ahl team and he'll still make the playoffs.
Ottawa is by far one of them and I have no doubt they'll finish last in the league next year.
I believe Ottawa will be quite a surprise. They have solid goal tending in the ever so underrated Anderson and have a crop of good players that will rise to the occasion.
Poor defense, questionable goaltending, ageing injury prone veterans, and only a hope and a prayer that our young players breakout. I don't see this team improving much over last year. We should have 20 very entertaining games at least though
It's not "my logic" it's the reality. If you think the team is good and going to be much better, you're a hopeful homer, and if you think the team will be bad again you're either being negative or a "realist"
There is so many unknowns realated to this team, that comparing them on paper to anyone is completely pointless. How good will the kids be, who will take over in goal, will the defense be better, etc, etc, etc.
The reality is this team has finished dead last twice and on paper isn't good. That's why it will take actual games to see how good they are.
Look at their defense. Can you honestly say ours is half as good? There's also the Dave Tippet factor. Give him an ahl team and he'll still make the playoffs.
You said that we have the weakest center depth in the league, I'm not talking defense. BTW who is their Hall or Hemsky on the wing if you want to expand this beyond the centers? IMO Phoenix is weak down the middle, our possible 3rd line center led their centers in scoring last year.
Edit-He'll put your AHL squad to the playoffs theory to a real test this year, I highly doubt that they aren't drafting in the top 10 next year.
You said that we have the weakest center depth in the league, I'm not talking defense. BTW who is their Hall or Hemsky on the wing if you want to expand this beyond the centers? IMO Phoenix is weak down the middle, our possible 3rd line center led their centers in scoring last year.
Edit-He'll put your AHL squad to the playoffs theory to a real test this year, I highly doubt that they aren't drafting in the top 10 next year.
Well I didn't think of phoenix when i said that but now that you bring it up Their best center is still better than our best center (hanzal>horcoff/gagner guys selke calibre imo and should be good for 20 goals).
Overall though they are probably weaker your right. We're still terrible down the middle.
Well I didn't think of phoenix when i said that but now that you bring it up Their best center is still better than our best center (hanzal>horcoff/gagner guys selke calibre imo and should be good for 20 goals).
Overall though they are probably weaker your right. We're still terrible down the middle.
Look at their defense. Can you honestly say ours is half as good? There's also the Dave Tippet factor. Give him an ahl team and he'll still make the playoffs.
You are severely under-appreciating how much of an impact Phoenix losing Bryzgalov is going to make on their point total next season. Mike Smith should drop them a good 6-10 points by himself. The rest of that roster is devoid of top end talent except for an aged Doan and Yandle, who will have to show consistency.
Their defence does not impress me a lot more than the Oilers defence core either. Sure Yandle looks good, but they have an old Aucoin, and an overpaid Rozsival. Pretty ho-hum.
Say what? Why is it pointless to compare on paper? Do you really think we would have finished dead last if we had Whitney, Hemsky, Horcoff and Hall play 82 games? I'm not saying it would have been a playoff team, but come on.
What about the Rangers? They grabbed the prize possession of the UFA market. Add Richards, subtract Drury. By your logic, they'd be the 15th best team because that is what they were this year? And CBJ would be the 23rd best team? Can you see how your theory makes basically no sense?
Our overall roster has improved on last year's version. Some teams did nothing to replace the holes in their lineup (aka PHX).
Do you know what our record was when Whitney went down?
