Gump, I don't think it's a problem if BG is creating an atmosphere that gets the players fired up, doesn't have to just be BB. But it is BB's job to keep them there if that is happening.
And now the annual "What I want the roster to be" for the opening of the season. Based only on what I have read and my supremely intelligent opinions.
Zucker/Staal/Fiala - Fiala gets his chance to prove his game. I hope Staal finds his legs again. If anything, Zucker/Fiala on paper should be good together. If Fiala can get used to playing the RW, this line should be very good. Not the most defensive-minded group, so they will NEED to dictate play on the ice.
Parise/Donato/Zuccarello - Parise crashing the net, while Zucc finds Donato for the shot. I'm afraid that this line is going to get beat up a lot. I'm still pretty unfamiliar with Zuccarello, but he appears to be a little guy. Parise will still outwork just about everyone, but his scoring touch is from 5ft and in, and that has really starting to take its toll over the last couple of year. With Donato playing C this year, I hope this keeps him engaged on the entire rink.
Greenway/Eriksson Ek/Kunin - I almost want Parise playing on this line, as it would be the hardest working, blue-collar, lunch-pail line in the NHL. But I guess we just pray for youth to be server and this line becoming a standout line. Kunin does have a great shot and Greenway can (at times) be a man among boys with the puck. I just hop JEE can finally find a way to score regularly. Let's just pretend for right now that is going to get 50+ assists this year.
Foligno/Koivu/Hartman - the big boy line? I can see the possibility of Koivu and Hartman getting a couple of goals each just off the hard work forechecking done by Foligno. Not going to score a lot, but should be a good defensive line to roll with. I don't know all that much about Hartman, but it sounds like between him and Foligno, they can agitate with the best of them, leaving Koivu to his strength...holding the back line defensively. I really do wish the best for Mikko this year, have always been a fan of his, but playing 4th line minutes and being saved for late game faceoffs might be the best use of Captain K for this year.
Bench: Stafford/Sturm - I DO NOT want Rask or Brown on this roster. If it's true that Rask was the only player to fail the skate test, it just goes to show that he cannot be worked with to improve. I hope CL is fine with him being buried in Iowa. Buyout coming after the season. Brown's only hope is that he is a right handed shot. Would prefer Sturm getting seasoning in IA, but he looked like he fit last year.
Suter/Dumba - a full and healthy season from both will be like giving happiness to all in the land! Suter is a year removed from the injury and Dumba keep climbing the ladder to elite D-man...works for me. Just no dumb fights from these 2, thet both are not that type of player.
Brodin/Spurgeon - I see this pairing as almost a mirror of Suter/Dumba...almost. Dumba is more offensive than Spurgeon, but Spurgeon is better defensively, even if he really is just 12 years old. He should try and grow a beard, give him a more adult look. Maybe looking so small and young is the secret for Spurgeon, as the rest of the NHL sees this small child in the corner, so they go in softer than normal. Brodin is just going to be consistent, 3-8 goals, 10-15 assists and steady D.
Seeler/Pateryn/Hunt - I like these 3 as the 3rd pairing, as Hunt will give BB options if one or the other is struggling and will also be the "secret weapon" on the PP when he plays. Seeler is the big green meanie that is needed to clear out in front of the net. Pateryn seemed a little out of sorts for most of last year, so hopefully we get the guy that played well in Dallas this year.
Dubnyk/Stalock - not really a lot to say here, except I hope Stalock makes it possible for BB to play a little more this year to save wear and tear on Dubs. And that every time Stalock plays, we should be checking on Gump, who's pretty much has a coronary every time. The sad thing here is I want Dubnyk to play at an all-star level, but not good enough that BG thinks he needs to give him another contract.
Guys not making it - Rask, I have said enough bad things about him over the past year, so I will leave it at that. Brown, as much as I want another Bulldog on the roster (GO UMD!!!), he just didn't show anything that year that warranted time in the NHL. The only other player that could be making the roster is Gerald Mayhew, who has done nothing but improve since joining IA. Maybe he takes the place over Sturm or Stafford, as he deserves it. Guys like Soucy, Sokolov, Lodnia, Khovanov, Bitten, Shaw, Mennell and Belpedio sharpen their game in IA.
