|
Where Are We Now? A Quick Assessment |
|
|
|
|
|
Isles return from Florida with one OT win and one loss. In the first 5 games they have 4pts. If we were to project a season from all this, it wouldn't be pretty. Isles would be around about 66pts on the year. To give a comparison, the Isles had 79pts last season.
If we look at the Goals For last season, it was 194. If we go with our current pace, we'll be under that with 180 unless something changes. Goals Against has the same issue. Last year was 243. At current pace, it will be 262.
What does this all mean? Just that things have to change for the Isles to even meet last season's disappointment. That is quite sobering.
Now, obviously, we can have some notions pervade this depressing thought. After all, Trent Hunter has 4 goals. If we do the math, he's on pace for over 64 goals. That, despite a noble start and he's always had potential there, won't stick. Doug Weight actually has been looking to be the most rounded player on the ice. He's tied with Hunter on points with 2 goals and 2 assists. Hunter and Weight are two bright spots right now.
Obviously it is WAYYYYY early this season, and some might need time to heat up. Kyle Okposo has 14 shots, but only 2 assists. Yet he's been all over the ice and been quite impressive to watch. Somewhere along the line he's going to break-out a bit. Bill Guerin is always dangerous, and leads the team with 16 shots. Some more should start going in.
Jeff Tambellini has finally found Scott Gordon's attentions. He wants him to skate with the puck more and utilize his speed. A guy with that type of speed and skating should and NEEDS to be on the scoring sheet far more. However last two games, he has made his presence known.
Sean Bergenheim, according to Greg Logan of Newsday, is getting limited minutes when he commits turnovers. He had just above 7 minutes in Tampa. He's back to his usual paltry 11 min or so when they played the Panthers.
He has company though: Jon Sim had just over 11 minutes last game as well.
Bruno Gervais, who was on the bubble perhaps two pre-seasons in a row where he failed to impress, has woken up with key assists and getting 20 minutes per game on average now.
Joey MacDonald, when removing the one shaky outing we'd all like to forget against the Sabres, has steady showing in the pinch, however, steady any success above and beyond that is improbable due to the lack of scoring punch around him..
Rick DiPietro's debut with 32 out of 34 saves is nice. If a layman looked at his stats versus Joey Mac they'd see an impressive save pct. But if you factor in his preseason game against the same team, it would be another story.
DP however, is about the only equalizer thus far that can give the Isles any chance of being more than a mere 70pt team this season. The first 5 games are a snapshot of medium level goaltending and play. The Isles will be tested very quickly by Sean Avery's Dallas Stars and then the Rangers.
With Blake Comeau biding time at Bridgeport, do the Isles have plans to make a move? They clearly show some flaws on D besides scoring.
Mike Comrie has hit the rumormill. He also did last season at the trade deadline, but the Isles feared losing a center when they were so short on them. Now, as Comrie plays wing at times, and has a good track record for better playing teams, might he be the cog that can land a piece that is needed? Or simply go for a draft pick so that the Isles can spend wisely in the future?
So what have we learned so far? That the Isles must play better in all facets than in the first 5 games this season in order to make a dent in even last years record. Their work is cut out for them.
- BD
Join the Discussion:
»