We just gotta find a way to put the puck in the net. Leafs just collapsed around their net the whole night and made it ugly, but we gotta find a way to score some ugly goals.
Ever since Drew Miller went down this team hasn't been the same. We are obviously missing our 4th line grinder right now.
Took the girlfriend to her first ever wings game... What a fucking bummer game. You gotta think Mantha is going to be played in the top 6. Interested to see what you guys think has been our biggest issue so far? I feel like it all comes down to lacking a consistent level of intensity/competiton. We'll have nights where we are buzzing around and others where the veterans' age is showing and our young leaders aren't filling that void... And our transition defense is just consistently shit.
I think our defense is just bad. We can't break the puck out and we have no transition game. Our goals against isn't bad but it is more a testament to Mrazek. Our lack of D is definitely impacting out offense though.
Point per game the last two months. 18 points in 18 games. Grand Rapids' best player most nights. Will wear #39
And on cue Brendan Smith tries to fight Simmonds who won't bite, and in the process Smith allows himself to get out of position so he has to take a penalty on Simmonds to stop a scoring chance. For fucks sake.
If we can't make a trade for some D we may as well tank to get one because we are going nowhere fast with the D we currently have.
This team has no business making the playoffs. Thankfully it doesn't appear that we will have to concern ourselves with that.
I've only watched a bit here and there, but it looks like Ericsson is struggling with simple hockey plays.
Christ this team infuriates me with the inconsistency they show period to period. They were so bad in the first, and then so good in the third. Just absurdity.
DeToxRox it makes me question the mental fortitude of the room...call it consistency, lacking the "killer instinct", etc...maybe it's just maturity, but something is missing. Good to see Tats break the 20 goal barrier and GOD DAMN was that a wicked shot from Larkin.
Don't hold your breath...we have to deal with Big E's anchor of a contract, I don't see us buying him out. He could be one of the players we choose not to protect when the expansion draft rolls around...that's the only way I imagine we get rid of him. Kronwall - Ericsson Quincey* - DK Green - Smith Realistically, based on investments, we have one open spot next year on the blueline...it sucks, but its the reality. My guess is that it goes to XO or Marchenko, neither of which have looked that impressive this year. However, with how Russo is playing, he could force Kenny's hand and bring him up. We have a lot of decisions to make this offseason when it comes to defense. XO, Sproul, Marchenko will all be out of options, so I assume they will get the first look.
I always find it so hard to believe the Wings can't find a taker for Big E's contract. Especially with cap floor teams. I think it's more of a Swede thing. Waive his ass. He can play with Lashoff in GR.
...we'd still be paying most of his contract and it would take time away from guys that need PT, which next year will be Hicketts, Saarijarvi, Jensen. Off the top of my head, teams like Arizona, Edmonton...maybe Columbus or Colorado would have the space and willingness to take that contract.
No chance we're moving one of our long-standing Swedes. Kronwall ain't moving Ericsson ain't moving DeKeyser (who has the most value) ain't moving Green likely isn't going to be moved since we just signed him and he's producing about as expected. Which leaves us at Quincey and Smith, we'd have to move one of those guys if we're bringing in a top 4 D.