Best thing this team can do is nothing drastic.
They were a bubble team before the injury because they weren't winning games they should have won, like NY.
And if they fall below a bubble team then maybe that becomes the point where we sell assets, get something of value in return, and work toward the next off season.
If this team can't win without crosby then they aren't good enough to win a cup. It's that simple.
I'd rather them not panic. If they don't make it in, Schults, Chucky, Bjugstad, DeSmith and JJ can all be moved.
They can get some decent assets from those moves. WPG would love Schultz, Buffalo is looking for forward help, Toronto would like a goalie. Many teams are looking for defense.
JJ plays pretty well in a 3rd pairing role on his natural side. When he moves to his right it's awful, much like against the ranger where he played his right side and Riikola took the left.
They need to stop doing that now. They need to play Chad R. there and be done with that mess. Even then he didn't give up a goal. But it's simply not a good situation for him.
Either way, this team is going to figure out real quick this season what kind of team they are. They can make the changes sooner rather than later and figure out how they want this team to finish out next year. There is an awful lot of talent on the wing available next year. There is also a lot of help at 3RD. They can start to look at internal options for 3LD and go from there.
Worse thing they can do is take on a contract like Zucker who is a 5+ million cap hit for years to come. All it does is hamper what this team could do in the off season if they can't figure it out now.
Quoting: Daddy_Crosby
ok, but good luck without crosby. it looks like the Rangers and Hurricanes are about to surpass you. HAHA
I think I get it. He's a rangers fan
no wonder he's so mad!