This season was declared a write off many months ago, but Burke et al have been busy trying to reinvent this team, and by all accounts they have made progress. The team is younger, quicker, and playing with heart.
Youthful exuberance has its advantages, but 82 games is a long season full of bumps and bruises and hard work, what is the glue that will bind the team together? How do you keep spirts high and the team dedicated to the task for 82 games ?
I am not convinced they have the goal tending situation resolved fully, but it may be functional until a better arrangement can be had. It will be a damn sight better then Toskala, of that there is no debate. I just don't think Gustavsson has the heart to be a full time net minder, and Giguere is slated for $7 Million in 2010/11 and is a unrestricted free agent the following year. I think Giguere is a stop gap measure and they will be looking to add to the goalie platoon. The problem is it is really tight market for goalies, with no notables coming onto the unrestricted market anytime soon, so where does the goalie come from? To make a trade you need trade-able commodities and with luck one of these young skaters will make a name for himself next year and become that trade bait. Forecast: Tough sledding ahead.
