Post Playoff's

[Exlaxchronicles 415]

                                                                                                                            Post Playoffs

                                                                                                                           ===========

Well this season has come and gone and it goes without saying that Seattle's play in the playoffs were a little disappointing. With the amount of talent this club had in terms of star power and depth, they by all means underachieved come playoff time. But then again, that's the way the cookie crumbles or should I say the sim rolls.

Anyways there were a few positives this season starting with McAllister having a tremendous year stats wise as he goes into retirement. He should be a shoe in for trophy of the year. This is a bitter sweet year for him as he leaves without a cup but is sure to bring home some hardware.

 

Axelsson had his highest point total with 63 this year and picked up his game at the end of the season. He also performed admirably in the post season as well.

Thunder Fist came into his own as well hitting the double digits in points and progressing at a steady pace in the second year. If he continues his course Mountain will be a force to be reckoned with.

 

Winger Jake Davis also had an upswing to his second season with a jump of 14 points to 84 from his inaugural season. He was solid in the playoffs as well.

 

Coming over to Seattle through the trade route defence man Malenko also had a strong season hitting 92 points, up from 74 in his rookie debut. He was definitely an asset to the club all year with his solid all around game.

 

In his second last season before he retires, right winger turned defence man David Kiaskov had a stellar year on the blue line scoring 85 points, his highest totals in his career. Due to depreciation next season he may be hard pressed to reach or surpass those numbers. We'll have to wait and see. He may garner a few votes for best defensive defence man this year.

 

All of Seattle's players had solid seasons, unfortunately the dreaded sophomore jinx cursed a number of their big stars this year.

 

Most hardest hit were defence man Maxim Kovalchuk while still having a respectable year, dropped 52 points in mostly assists. In reality, its pretty hard to repeat what some of these players achieved in their rookie seasons so there's no shame in their offensive output's this year.

 

RW Sergei Kovalev also fell to the curse with his point total dropping from 91 down to 66. Still solid numbers but hopefully he'll rebound come next season and improve upon those numbers.

 

Taking the biggest hit from the sophomore jinx was center Vyacheslav Smirnov with a massive point total drop of 61 from his stellar rookie year of 149 points. He scored 25 goals less this year but he wasn't the only member to suffer in this department.

 

LW Matt Thompson in his third year was hard pressed to try and match let alone surpass his sophomore season of a 150 points. He still had a very good year though with goal totals of 51 and 102 points.

 

Even with the improved play of goalie Roger Sterling hitting a .920 sv ℅ and 2.34 gvg and the positive additions of a few new players, it wasn't enough for the team to overcome the hot hands of Riga and Calgary. Both clubs were even in the regular season but Riga came on strong at years end and Calgary seemed to find the wholes in Seattle's game during the playoffs.

 

With McAllister retiring next year, it leaves a big hole in the line up. Hopefully the club can find a suitable replacement, be it through UFA, trades, the draft or having some of the team players rebound and improve upon their play for the up and coming  season.

 

Word count: 630

Edited December 10, 2018 by Exlaxchronicles