Here's my post-mortem on this season:
Positives:
1. Jaroslav Halak - self-explanatory. went from perennial backup to almost singlehandedly willing this team through 2 grueling 7 game rounds.
2. Michael Cammalleri + Brian Gionta: came as advertised. little guys who play big, clutch, with speed and never show any quit.
3. Scott Gomez: even though people were criticizing his goal output, he was an active playmaker and stood tall when he needed to. Only negatives were dumb penalties. Showed a lot of speed and creativity.
4. Hal Gill and Josh Gorges: stood tall and neutralized Ovechkin, Semin, Mike Green, Crosby, Malkin. Nuff' said.
5. Jacques Martin: made adjustments where he would not have in a regular season game, outcoached Boudreau and Bylsma, but not Laviolette.
Negatives:
1. Tomas Plekanec is still not a playoff performer, and that's worrisome for someone who can fetch 6 mill per year.
2. Benoit Pouliot: invisible. completely useless to this team unless he fixes whatever mental problems are affecting his play.
3. Andrei Kostitsyn: talented, but way too enigmatic. The organization needs to do something, and as much as i think he's a good player when he wants to be: trade the K bros for something.
4. Marc Andre Bergeron: can't play defense and couldn't score either.
5. Small team. We couldn't outhit, outskate or even outshoot or outchance the Flyers. too many big bodies.
My suggestions for the offseason (aka Armchair GM-ing)
- Sign BOTH goalies, if reasonable. If you can't, trade the one that fetches greater return. (reasoning: they're both young and talented, if need be trade one and get a vet backup).
- DO NOT SIGN TOMAS PLEKANEC. Flip his rights and (dontkillme) and one of Halak/Price for Jeff Carter and Giroux and a low draft pick.
- Trade Hamrlik or Spacek for Kevin Bieksa.
- pick up some relatively cheap BUT BIG free agents for a 3rd line role. Someone who hits, goes to the net, and drops them when need be.
I liked your final points about the team. good suggestions