Brace for the Storm
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 12,840
Likes: 6,647
I've thought about the Panthers' success story this season and here is the explanation I have for their unexpected success:
They needed better complementary pieces for their core (Barkov, Huberdeau and Ekblad) and well I think we have to admit that Verhaeghe, Wennberg, Bennett and Hornqvist fit better there than the likes of Dadonov, Hoffman and Trocheck (even if he's a very good player)
You see, when you have Barkov and Huberdeau, you're guaranteed to, if they play together, have one of the 5-10 best lines in hockey as well as one of the most lethal PP units in the league. And if they are separated, well then you have two very good lines. This gives you flexibility. Makes Dadonov and Hoffman expandable. See, they replaced them with Hornqvist, Duclair, Verhaeghe and Wennberg, and even if, on paper, the last group is less talented, it fits their system better and that's what mattered (still does btw)
Plus, adding guys like Gudas and Hornqvist gives you two players that are very very tough to play against. They don't have a ton of raw skills, but try to play against PH on the PP and try to win a tight battle against the boards against Gudas on the PK. You may win, it's not inconceivable, but you'll have a harder time than against the likes of, say, Dadonov and Matheson.
Also Hornqvist has experience, bring SC pedigree that only goes back to a few seasons ago.
I remember thinking, before the season started, «I like their offseason. Now they just need someone, anyone, to step up and become a key contributor (my candidates were Wennberg going back to his 16-17 form, Tippett and/or Denisenko breaking out, Duclair finding consistency, Bobrovsky returning to form or Hornqvist playing out of his mind)»
Well, I was right on Wennberg, cause he did, at least in a good part, Tipppett has been good, PH has fitted there like a good glove, Duclair has been a pleasant surprise, and of course Weegar has played out of his mind, Driedger has provided them with much needed consistency and Verhaeghe has been their new Marchessault
What do you guys think about my take?