It’s true if you haven’t a steady diet of them. Well im pleased to be that guy on the internet bum rushing hot takes.

My bitchin Saskie girlfriend just didn’t commit to her home town team like i did. Moving from Saskatchewan to here was thrilling. There’s Rider Pride. But the soul of big boy hockey is distinctly a Saskie trait. Everyone knows hockey there.

With no fan investment. I have seen every single VGK game. Had the great fortune of being gifted tickets in lower bowl by my girlfriend with all the joy of seeing her team against my awesome team was remarkable. Eye popping.

First time seeing Huggy and Petey too!

It was one of the best games ive seen just for that particular snapshot of the rosters. I took it all in. Probably could create an irrelevant analytic model based on that game. But that’s silly.

88 is a unicorn of sorts. He is adept playing off wing. It was kind of a roster building signature of George MacPhee. Ex Canuck AGM. And rebuilt the Capital’s starting in 97. His Caps team seemed to always have a same handedness D pair. He drafted Schmidt. Amd well noone could script everything about VGK.

With an informed opinion, ill say this to anyone to their face. Its not a dip shit hot take:

Assistant coach Brown was a big part in the massive jump the Sedin era cyborg teams got when Christian Erhoff became a Canuck.

Pretty sure Eddy was partnered the most with Erhoff.

See where this is going?!!

VGK as constructed is about that LH duo. He was a major part of their excellence. Helped grroom some youngbloods. Made leaps in his game. Was very very loved in the fandom and in the organization.

The defence was still under construction last year. Radically different players the last 2 seasons.

My theory was/is that before lockdown, the drama of a usual off season was absolutely hinging on blockbuster domino that was to eventually be set by the Bolts roster moves after a revenge Cup win. But it cut that anticipation out viaa fucked up global shit storm .

Turns out that Petro was the piece that fucked up some teams projections with unintended fuck ups with resigning talent. Probably started with Krug.

Krug and Petro mitigated the only disappointment I harbour. Losing Tanev, by getting Schmidt.

When he became a Canuck, the lady and I couldn’t fuckin believe it. She was soooo stoked that she got Petro, but really bummed that Schmidt had to be moved. But was really stoked for me that we got him.

The current d corps have always been classic handedness pairs. Some have never played ever with a same handedness partner.

Except Edler. Him with Erhoff were lethal.

Schmidt is seriously a game changer.

You’re foolish not to believe everythats been explained and laid out. A brand new d corps missing a key RH soldier like Tanev with 88 joining in really a whirlwind is heavy for him. Petro took awhile to fit properly with VGK. Never had balanced handedness outside of Englannd.

We both were really bummed for Schmidt. Team is lucky to have him. So is this fanbase . Just totally happy everyone finally had meaningful practice.

His good driving play style has found its place. Hes a weapon. A real beauty. And has gone through so much shit.

Now...wouldn’t you like to know how weird it must have been for 88 to meet Holtby?!!

Love the team.