Edited Nov. 2, 2019 at 12:14 a.m.
1. What are Doug Armstrong's options now that Tarasenko is probably out for the rest of the regular season? Is there a trade he can make to augment the Blues scoring? Are the Blues still a playoff team w/o one of their best players?
Robert Thomas Sami Blais 2 options that have proved they can step up, both of the last 2 games without Tara they scored goals to help the Blues. If it was ROR who got injured j would say not a playoff team but other than ROR and Piet the other players can't 'easily' be replaced but they will get the job done and get a wildcard / 2-3 playoff spot, won't get #1 like some people may have thought.
2. Are the Sabres, Coyotes, Oilers, and Canucks for real this season? Which of these 4 teams make the playoffs?
Sabres will stay because of how shaky the big teams in the Atlantic have looked, I think they also have good star power to pull them to playoffs but they probably get nocked off early or depending on what they aquire could be a scary team kinda like CAR last year, or colombus. Canucks look good, I'm from east so I dont know much about other 3.
3. What should the Leafs do to sure up their struggling Defense? A trade? A lineup shuffle? A coaching change? All 3?
Trade, they need another top 4 defensmen that can play big minutes, you need someone who has done it if you want them to keep up. I don't think it's fair to throw a defensemen into 23+ minutes if they are not "used" to it.
4. Even with Malkin set to return to the Pens lineup is Pittsburgh deep enough to make the playoffs again this season? If not, what can or should Rutherford do to make them a real contender in the Metro?
I think a team that can score 7 goals in one game 3x already can make the playoffs. Depth is questionable but I think there will be a trade that gives them defensive depth which they need.
5. Which player is the biggest surprise and which player has been the biggest disappointment so far this season?
Ristolainen has been the biggest surprise for me, he has turned up and is playing almost completely better in all aspects, James Neal is a shout-out. Biggest disappointment for me is probably Jamie Benn.