Horrendous if you ask me. Two starters out with Poolman and DeMelo (wife had a kid and he misses 3 or 4 games and kid is healthy?) and Stanley playing in his first ever game. Niku showing everyone he dowsn't belong in the NHL after taking D man of the year in the AHL in his first year there. Great O but lacks sorely on D and I'd like to see him on the taxi squad (back to Finland!). Here's hoping Slamberg or Heinola plays in his spot tonight because Stanley looked better in his 1st game than Niku did!
We'd be out of the playins last year without Helle. Great goalie that NEVER throws anyone under the bus like Pavelec always used to. It can be stated enough how much the D misses Buff. We lost Trouba, Myers, Chiarot and Buff last off-season but Buff is missed the most by far.