I'm actually a little more positive than most around here. Most of the "buy low" additions can be buried for cap space. I love the top 6. I think the 3rd line needs a jolt for sure, but that's fixable. The third pairing will be better...especially if the depth players are giving a shot.

Here's where I'm not confident... I'm not confident HCMS will assess his players fairly. It's hard to believe for cup winning coach, but I think he's mangled the last couple of post seasons.
- madmike71

I'm with you on the coaching. And I also like our top 6, but yea McCann needs help. We can only hope that Matheson has a Schultz type year when we first got him.

That's right. If they want to leave Aston-Reese with Jankowski and Rodrigues I wouldn't be against though but they'd have to show chemistry.

McCann - Blueger - Tanev
Aston-Reese - Jakowski - Rodrigues

I think we'll be fine for now.

People will call these excuses, but I thought the Montreal loss was nuanced. Guentz wasn't "right" yet. Sid didn't look "right" either.

I thought the personnel usage was almost a travesty tbh. Schultz and JJ was one of the worst D pairings in memory. 3rd line was comical. Marleau, McCaan, Hornie were gawd awful. PP looked like they had no idea what to do. Frankly, I think Sully sh!t the bed for the most part. Never changed things up no matter how awful they were.

Habs looked like a team playing with house money. Pens looked like a team with misfit players/parts for which Sullivan had no idea how to use.
- madmike71

Scary thing is at the star's age, there is no guarantee they are ever completely healthy for a play-off run. Condensed season like this is a real concern.

Not sure how much better Matheson and Ceci will be. Too me this is a FAR bigger worry than the 3rd line because if they're a disaster that will bury them. And no I don't have faith in the coach just turning to Riikola and Ruhwedel. Too much evidence he won't.

Have to agree on coach.

Not sure how much has changed other than an upgraded top 6. If even one player emerges the 3rd line will be better than it was against Montreal. Not confident in a PP that only showed life with Hornqvist, but hopefully Reirden figures it out.

We'll see how Jarry over a full season, to me that's the great X Factor. If he's close to that all-star form, combined with the talent on the top 6, top 4, and 4th line is enough to be a very good team. He struggles and they're pretty screwed.

Scary thing is at the star's age, there is no guarantee they are ever completely healthy for a play-off run. Condensed season like this is a real concern.

Not sure how much better Matheson and Ceci will be. Too me this is a FAR bigger worry than the 3rd line because if they're a disaster that will bury them. And no I don't have faith in the coach just turning to Riikola and Ruhwedel. Too much evidence he won't.

Have to agree on coach.

Not sure how much has changed other than an upgraded top 6. If even one player emerges the 3rd line will be better than it was against Montreal. Not confident in a PP that only showed life with Hornqvist, but hopefully Reirden figures it out.

We'll see how Jarry over a full season, to me that's the great X Factor. If he's close to that all-star form, combined with the talent on the top 6, top 4, and 4th line is enough to be a very good team. He struggles and they're pretty screwed.
- Tojo.

I firmly believe Mattheson is an upgrade from JJ, but I think his weaknesses will be amplified from being paired with Ceci. I would really like to see Sully try pairing him with Marino.

We've started the downward spiral and the worst hasn't even come yet, buckle up boys, I hope you enjoyed the cup runs.

That's right. If they want to leave Aston-Reese with Jankowski and Rodrigues I wouldn't be against though but they'd have to show chemistry.

McCann - Blueger - Tanev
Aston-Reese - Jakowski - Rodrigues

I think we'll be fine for now.
- Barnaby36

Reminds me of the Mckegg year, which sucked.

We've started the downward spiral and the worst hasn't even come yet, buckle up boys, I hope you enjoyed the cup runs.
- Murphy_Dump

Here's the thing, with Sid and Geno here I was hoping we could build a better/younger team around them and have some good seasons to compete. Once they are gone it's whatever, most of us have been through this before. So actually I'm considering this the worst because once Sid and Geno are gone we are for sure gonna suck but we shouldn't be at suck status yet and it's because of our GM.

I firmly believe Mattheson is an upgrade from JJ, but I think his weaknesses will be amplified from being paired with Ceci. I would really like to see Sully try pairing him with Marino.
- Rinosaur

Better than JJ sure, but I wouldn't want to play Matheson on the 2nd pair. Maybe see with injuries. I agree Marino would be good for covering for him, I just don't want to waste Marino covering for him.

Better than JJ sure, but I wouldn't want to play Matheson on the 2nd pair. Maybe see with injuries. I agree Marino would be good for covering for him, I just don't want to waste Marino covering for him.
- Tojo.

Paring him with Marino might allow Mattheson to shine though and pairing Pettersson with Ceci allows Ceci to... not suck? lol

I think it allows you to also spread the ice time a little better instead of being top-four heavy. Just a suggestion.

Reminds me of the Mckegg year, which sucked.
- 668710

I've echoed this sentiment as well and I'm not looking forward to it. We can only hope that JR gives them a short leash and is able to pull of a good deadline deal if necessary. I do agree with promoting Tanev to the 3rd line though and see how Sceviour does in his place.

CHI was pretty smart to so sign Soderberg. You watch, they get a 2nd for him at the deadline.