BlackMetalNinja
02-08-2009, 07:21 AM
Let's hear what you got...
For me, starting with disappointments, number one has to be Jason Pominville. Now, I guess it's partly my fault since I had huge expectations for him this year, but he hasn't been much of a presence in all in my book. I know he's 3rd on the team in points with 42, but I was expecting more like a 70 point season out of him I guess. I figured he could put up 30g and 40a this year and I really expected him to be the leader of the team. In fact, I was hoping he'd be made the Captain. I think last year he showed signs of being this team's leader, but he's kind of been real quiet this season. He's been a good setup man on the PP, but I guess I just thought he'd be a bigger presence in general.
The other disappointment (and no, Max doesn't count, I pretty much expected him to suck) has been Henrik Tallinder. I know he was injured for awhile, but he's kind of vanished as well this season. Again, we've seen flashes of a very good player from him the last few years, but he isn't very consistent at all.
As for surprises, Drew Stafford stands out. I've liked his talent all along, but again, the consistancy hasn't been there. He's been hot as hell as of late though playing with Vanek and Connolly, and his 15 goals and 19 assists are closer to what I expected for the whole season, rather than 2/3 of the way.
I think Sekera has stepped in and played pretty well this year too throughout all the injuries to the D. He's already played in more games this year than he had in his career coming into the season, and while his +/- is a little troubling, I think he's been better than it would indicate. With guys like Teppo and Spacek getting up there, and Paetsch not playing at the level most thought he could, we're going to be counting on Sekera for the next few years.
Finally, and I'm sure this will lead to Losman Wins personal Boner Jam 2000, but Kaleta has been quite pleasently surprising. We all know his role and he plays it well, but he's finally started to learn that he can't just take runs at guys all the time without paying any attention to the play around him. He frustrated the hell out of me the past 2 years taking himself out of the play all the time just to chase down a hit. While he still does it from time to time, he's also become a more valuable player offensively and he's not such a liability when he's on the ice these days.
Overall, the team is right about where I expected them to be this season. I thought they'd make the playoffs, but probably as the 7 or 8 seed. While they are in 7th right now, the nice thing is that they are also only 2 points out of 4th, though the teams just ahead of them have some games in hand yet. They're playing very well as of late and I think they're poised to make a run and jump a few spots in the next couple weeks. They've got a few days off now, which they definitely need, but then they play almost every other night for the rest of the month. Including 2 big games against Carolina who is at their heels and 1 each with the Rangers and Flyers who are just ahead of them.
For me, starting with disappointments, number one has to be Jason Pominville. Now, I guess it's partly my fault since I had huge expectations for him this year, but he hasn't been much of a presence in all in my book. I know he's 3rd on the team in points with 42, but I was expecting more like a 70 point season out of him I guess. I figured he could put up 30g and 40a this year and I really expected him to be the leader of the team. In fact, I was hoping he'd be made the Captain. I think last year he showed signs of being this team's leader, but he's kind of been real quiet this season. He's been a good setup man on the PP, but I guess I just thought he'd be a bigger presence in general.
The other disappointment (and no, Max doesn't count, I pretty much expected him to suck) has been Henrik Tallinder. I know he was injured for awhile, but he's kind of vanished as well this season. Again, we've seen flashes of a very good player from him the last few years, but he isn't very consistent at all.
As for surprises, Drew Stafford stands out. I've liked his talent all along, but again, the consistancy hasn't been there. He's been hot as hell as of late though playing with Vanek and Connolly, and his 15 goals and 19 assists are closer to what I expected for the whole season, rather than 2/3 of the way.
I think Sekera has stepped in and played pretty well this year too throughout all the injuries to the D. He's already played in more games this year than he had in his career coming into the season, and while his +/- is a little troubling, I think he's been better than it would indicate. With guys like Teppo and Spacek getting up there, and Paetsch not playing at the level most thought he could, we're going to be counting on Sekera for the next few years.
Finally, and I'm sure this will lead to Losman Wins personal Boner Jam 2000, but Kaleta has been quite pleasently surprising. We all know his role and he plays it well, but he's finally started to learn that he can't just take runs at guys all the time without paying any attention to the play around him. He frustrated the hell out of me the past 2 years taking himself out of the play all the time just to chase down a hit. While he still does it from time to time, he's also become a more valuable player offensively and he's not such a liability when he's on the ice these days.
Overall, the team is right about where I expected them to be this season. I thought they'd make the playoffs, but probably as the 7 or 8 seed. While they are in 7th right now, the nice thing is that they are also only 2 points out of 4th, though the teams just ahead of them have some games in hand yet. They're playing very well as of late and I think they're poised to make a run and jump a few spots in the next couple weeks. They've got a few days off now, which they definitely need, but then they play almost every other night for the rest of the month. Including 2 big games against Carolina who is at their heels and 1 each with the Rangers and Flyers who are just ahead of them.