I don’t think their style of play dictates whether they were contenders or not imo. They were right there. You can say they over performed and played a particular style but if they beat Tampa they had a pretty good shot at winning the cup. Lou deserves all the credit in the world for hiring Barry which is the reason why they were right there. Boring or not they were contenders imo. Also, I didn’t find it boring. They put on a clinic. I thought it was entertaining as hell.
- Cptmjl

Barry was a great hire and they all bought in. But the 2020 ECF team had Leddy, Boychuk and Toews. Leddy and Boychuk were great for the isles but are they a top pair on a contending team? The rosters have been and continue to be inferior. They implemented the neutral zone trap to combat the lack of talent. The top goal scorer was Brock Nelson with 26, and he was their 2nd line. Hence pretenders.

Barry was a great hire and they all bought in. But the 2020 ECF team had Leddy, Boychuk and Toews. Leddy and Boychuk were great for the isles but are they a top pair on a contending team? The rosters have been and continue to be inferior. They implemented the neutral zone trap to combat the lack of talent. The top goal scorer was Brock Nelson with 26, and he was their 2nd line. Hence pretenders.
- kindlyrick

Yeah I get it on paper they weren’t exactly awe inspiring but the reality is if they beat Tampa they could’ve won the cup. They were two goals away from the finals. I’ll add they had a really good shot at the cup. The problem was Barry being stubborn with pulling Leo off the top line at least in intervals. It was like he was trying to make a point. The guys defensive game wasn’t even that great especially against a fast Tampa team.

Agreed on all. I think Dobson will bounce back. If they draft Schaefer, they have a legitimate top pair.
- kindlyrick

Yeah I’ve been saying all along I wouldn’t trade Dobson. Guy is in a contract year anyway you aren’t getting crap for his rights. Try to sign him to a bridge deal and hope for the best.

Yeah I get it on paper they weren’t exactly awe inspiring but the reality is if they beat Tampa they could’ve won the cup. I’ll add they had a really good shot at the cup. The problem was Barry being stubborn with pulling Leo off the top line at least in intervals. It was like he was trying to make a point. The guys defensive game wasn’t even that great especially against a fast Tampa team.
- Cptmjl

Yeah I totally get what you’re saying. If they beat Tampa maybe they win the cup, but the reality is they were outmatched. The top guys on Tampa are part of the leagues elite. The isles were rolling Brassard, Komarov, and Bailey. The isles were built to win 2-1 games. They were defensively great, but when you have Kucherov, Point, Gourde, Stamkos, Hedman, Sergachev etc it’s tough to keep them to 1 goal. That’s a potent PP. The isles were hoping Bailey could make his twice a year sick pass to lead to a PP goal.

Yeah I’ve been saying all along I wouldn’t trade Dobson. Guy is in a contract year anyway you aren’t getting crap for his rights. Try to sign him to a bridge deal and hope for the best.
- Cptmjl

You can’t trade Dobson. It would be a big mistake imho. He’s looked great for Canada. I say draft Schaefer and let them pair up for the next 10 years.