We’ll just have to cheer on the youngsters down in Austin. It’ll be interesting to see what Steel and Smith (and Delly!), bring to the table this year. Coaches are betting on veteran “predictability, consistency, minimal mistakes”… (and with this group speed)… the conservative keys that keep them employed.
Fans (and writers?) want the excitement and drama of the young gun learning and trying to compete at the highest level night after night with and against the best of the best!!!
LA is an interesting template. On one hand, you have the championship, tank, build cycle and on the other you have something similar to the Stars with an old guard transitioning to a new bunch of kids (Doughty + Kopitar have way more collective hardware). What I find most interesting about them is that they stuck to the rebuild and didn't try to shortcut it. If they have that resolve through the down cycle, I'd bet they'll have the same when it comes time to opening the wallet too. McDavid still rules the Pacific until proven otherwise, but the kings may reign in the end.
I remember liking what I saw: kind of like a more enthusiastic Petrovic. He threw the body around, seemed like a stout skater for his size. Played with tons of energy. Not a ton of skill; kind of like a fingerless glove version of Stephen Johns, but better than I assumed at the time.
We’ll just have to cheer on the youngsters down in Austin. It’ll be interesting to see what Steel and Smith (and Delly!), bring to the table this year. Coaches are betting on veteran “predictability, consistency, minimal mistakes”… (and with this group speed)… the conservative keys that keep them employed.
Fans (and writers?) want the excitement and drama of the young gun learning and trying to compete at the highest level night after night with and against the best of the best!!!
Being conservative is how coaches sleep at night!
Agree with you on the speed of young talent ascending in the NHL. Such a conservative - and dated approach.
LA is an interesting template. On one hand, you have the championship, tank, build cycle and on the other you have something similar to the Stars with an old guard transitioning to a new bunch of kids (Doughty + Kopitar have way more collective hardware). What I find most interesting about them is that they stuck to the rebuild and didn't try to shortcut it. If they have that resolve through the down cycle, I'd bet they'll have the same when it comes time to opening the wallet too. McDavid still rules the Pacific until proven otherwise, but the kings may reign in the end.
Any thoughts on Jerad Rosburg?
I remember liking what I saw: kind of like a more enthusiastic Petrovic. He threw the body around, seemed like a stout skater for his size. Played with tons of energy. Not a ton of skill; kind of like a fingerless glove version of Stephen Johns, but better than I assumed at the time.
Thanks David, I appreciate the input.
Still not sure what to make of him being on the roster past final cuts since Jani is skating. Ain't no cap space for the guy, unless we make some.