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griffin said:
As it gets to nut cutting time the loss of Maroon is going to keep showing.

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Seriously? That's your evaluation of this slump/skid?

Due there are a lot of little issues and a few not-so-little issues at play here but the lack of a very slow, grinding 4th liner is hardly one of them. And keep in mind I like Maroon and would have been fine had they re-signed him. But just like I said when they let Reeves go, if your success hangs on a rough and tumble 4th liner, it's time to start the rebuild.

How about "the wall"? This team was going to hit it as some point this season. They are physically and somewhat mentally drained. The Bouwmeester deal just added to it. The question is how long it will take to snap out of it.

How about just average goaltending? While I don't think Binnington/Allen are playing as poorly as others do, you need above average netminding, if you're going to be in close games every night. When is the last time a goalie stole a game for us?

How about sloppy/shoddy play in general. Poor passes, poor puck possession, slow on the shots, poor net-front presence, etc.

Poor team unit play. When this team wins, they play as one unit for 200'. This version of the team is not paying that way all the time. Too many instances of guys trying to make the big play by themselves and/or not taking care of their responsibilities on the defensive side of the puck.

In short, there are a lot of factors. Not having Maroon is not in the top 50 of them.

Feel free to return fire...

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"Hunts are best measured by the endurance of the memories they produce..."

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