Ok so we didn't even make the playoffs this season.
I can't really see any excuse for it either since we had no major long term injuries to speak of but the 41-60 stretch clearly runined the season when compared to what we did in season one. Our special teams were far from great, we had far fewer PP opportunities and more shorthanded situations this season. We gave up 38 more goals than last season and only scored one more...
The offensive production staying the same isn't that surprising since my top two lines and the PP units were the same for most of both seasons. As for the bottom two lines though I guess I threw out the trash and replaced it with worse trash.
Carcillo is a bum for starters, he ended the season with an embarassing -23 rating and 105 penalty minutes. I'll probably kick his ass back to the farm in favor of Hanzal. Gratton tied for the league lead in penalty minutes but that's fine, he is supposed to be that guy.
Players who won't be resigned:
Reinprecht - has been very good but doesn't want a new deal and we have more talented young centers than you can shake a stick at.
Ballard - had a bad camp and hasn't done much of anything this season except for taking penalties. If I could have him for 750k or something I might have kept him but certainly not at 2M.
Fischer - has been a fringe player from the start and didn't have a good season.
Tordjman - didn't expect him to turn into anything useful and he hasn't.
Joining us in the offseason:
C Dmitri Pestunov (like Mike Ribeiro)
Was good in both camps, had a good season in Europe. Will likely battle with Redenbach for a spot on the NHL roster
G Juha Toivonen (like Manny Fernandez)
Fifth round pick in 07. Likely to play in the ECHL next season.
LD Yakov Seleznev (a bigger, better version of Chris Phillips)
First round pick in 07, had a good camp and a decent season in Europe. Likely to play in the juniors next season but might steal a NHL spot with Ballard gone.
RW/C Blake Wheeler (like Brian Willsie with a bigger frame)
Certainly doesn't look like the former first round pick he is but might become a decent depth player. Almost certainly playing in the AHL next season.
LD/RD Chris Summers (like Craig Rivet with slower stride)
Another first rounder with poor physical stats. Almost certainly playing in the AHL next season.
RW Brett MacLean (like Jonathan Cheechoo)
First round pick in 07. Will probably spend another season in juniors but with Fischer gone he has a shot at a NHL spot.
C/RW Kyle Bortis (like Mike Comrie)
Second round pick in 07. Likely to spend next season in the AHL.