Who needs Johns and Poliota?
Sharp, Johns, and Oduya for Garbutt and Daley really? I know Oduya wasn't part of the trade but he was a throw in financially. I think we did as well as can be with the Dano/AA trade, however, I would have preferred to just get a d-man for Sharp and hell no not throw one in. Patience. What Stan did with the Garbutt at half price was really kind of a clever way to up the talent level of the team without it costing more than a Rockford forward. For a veteran club in win now mode I do like it. And I like Daley, I think he steps up here and finds his fit without Keith, endearing himself to Q going forward.
I know we will stay afloat with offense as there will be games it clicks, but we all need to dig in early and realize how big this fight is going to be in the West just to get in the playoffs. This is going to take everything the team has and a bit of luck maybe. We have a glaring issue on defense and its about to be put in the spotlight. Teams will test the shit out of us and get bold without Keith around.
I mean...teams here all the Toews/Kane chatter but then when they play us that Keith guy is literally everywhere thwarting countless scoring opportunities and flashing Kane level hockey skill in his own zone, before dishing to a forward he puts in great position. The guy is phenomenal and I am also going to be watching Crawford during this time, and Darling. This is more NHL reality. They have both basically only had success with Keith to this point.
We need to survive this. There is a small chance we come out ok, and find 1 or 2 defenseman out of the ordeal that raise their game. I'm actually thinking those guys are all up to the task.
Runblaad, Daley, TVR are going to show us something. Svedberg is going down to work on his high ceiling. Cumiskey seems to have a high floor and low ceiling. We will probably see some more of that.
With Rozy around for playoffs I think it might be enough. I'm most excited to see this forward group forced to gel now. I'm impatient on Dano but I think its just a formality of the Bickell situation until he is gone. Baun should be back, but needs to stay out of the box.
We are scary talented and young still. This team can be better than the one that finished last year. Panarin is a god send, and I think Hobgoblin is a guy who will play better and better as the season goes. Remember he is reacclimating to the NHL, he seemed out of condition, and hasn't found his ideal line mates yet. If he ends up a fit with Toews/Hossa just based on style and chemistry, and can be that forechecking LW1....we are going to kick everyones ass.