While we're on a break and about to launch out on a westward ho adventure through some very beatable opponents, let me add a bit of optimistic hope to those of you that think we may be in for a season of misery.
I'm not drinking cmaleski2's koolaid, but I do think this team will gather itself as the season unfolds and be a real surprise towards the end, even if it turns out to be dismantled somewhat on the fly with some trade deadline movement of one or more of the pending UFA's (Tlusty, McClement, Gleason...*gulp* Sekera).
The new corp and the AHL "depth" reinforcements are a coachable bunch that will play the way the coaches want them to play. The major talent does heal and return at some point. Even Jordan becomes a "trade deadline" pickup for us, after playing most of the season with a "we'll get it done by committee" system adjustment to try to replace what he routinely does single-handedly.
And, most of all, I believe in the system and culture that's being installed in a lock-step top-down manner from Ronnie Frickin' Francis himself, right through Rod Brind'Amour (whose impact can be seen everywhere), and most importantly, as reflected in the hiring of Bill Peters out of the Babcock Academy of Jack Adams Winning Coaches.
After stumbling at the start, I fully expect this team to play itself right back to its customary place at the table. And as franchise-changing an event it might be to be in the top four or five draft position this summer, it's a very deep draft and we'll get a very good player no matter where we end up drafting.
I think on many levels that this will be an entertaining season to experience and as a longtime fan I like what I'm seeing as the trend.
Let's hope it's "Peters for the Adams" sooner instead of later.
