Joined: Jun. 2021
Posts: 1,994
Likes: 253
I have to be honest. I have zero faith in this team.
1st line is the worst iteration of that line in a while. Knies is going to be great but he's not a #1LW yet. Definetly not as good as Hyman or Bunting.
Second line is complete trash, Bert brings no physicality, goes missing for long stretches. Domi can't play defense and seems scared to shoot the puck. Nylander is playing great but he's carrying two duds.
Third line is great but not confident it's better than Knies-O'Reilly-Accari from last year. So still a downgrade.
Fourth line seems decent but not sure what the plans are for the playoffs is Reaves really gonna play 10mins/night in playoffs?
Rielly is still Rielly but Lybushkin looks horrible beside him (worried his poor stats that have him as a non-NHLer in Buffalo/Anaheim aren't because of the teams but because of him)
Brodie looks like a fine 2LD but like past playoffs he's not physical or imposing. Same for Lili.
Benoit/McCabe is a fine 3rd pairing
Seems like this team has little going for it. Likely the worse iteration in 5+ years and Tre's moves are all failing Benoit is likely the only one that has worked.
For me it's been 20+ years and it was hard living through the 2000s and 2010s but this is different this seems like they got lucky enough to draft a cup winning core but mid managed and mis coached for 5+ years and are just blowing it.