Dude wall, is there anyone you arent seeking to insult? There are ways to agree and disagree, and all of us have our opinions, but Im impressed.
No doubt Burns has been tremendously helped by martin. No one is claiming that he is better than guys like doughty, or all time greats like lidstrom. They were just pointing out how far burns has come and how much better he is now at both ends. I still think he lacks some of the defensive game, and is liable for a 2 on 1 against a bit too often, but he has cut down on those tremendously, and his decision making skills and coverage and subtle use of his body and the like has exploded. He was -15 on January 2nd, and finished the year +10 from that point on, and really probably more like +15 since he was on for several ENG's against. He figured out the defensive side of the game, and I don't fear his daily mistake anymore. He was awesome at both ends in the kings series, so I think he deserves a ton of credit, leading the team in TOI and points.
I still cant stand that bottom pair of dillon and polak though. they were somewhat serviceable in the kings series, but not really. Dillon played 14 mins, was on for a PP goal against, and was -1 averaging less than one shot per game, and Polak was pretty much equally bad. they add some physicality, but that is sorely overrated. In fact it was dillon and polak that were on for BOTH LA goals in the lone loss and both playing under 15 mins. That D pairing is a complete liability and may get torched by the faster teams like a chicago or anaheim, and play a high skill game. I really wish dougie had added someone better than Polak.
Also, while I will try not to be too negative, like V, I don't read too much into one series win. Great depth in the clincher. Great goaltending. Great composure to bounce back from the OT loss and to bounce back after blowing the 3-0 lead on the road. All huge things that were lacking before. However, the LA D was shell of itself. Voynov and Martinez are both top pairing Dmen, and I would say LA losing martinez is analagous to the sharks losing pickles. pickles has a little edge defensively, martinez offensively, but both of minute eating reliable producers at both ends. LA lost a top pairing Dman and every game was functionally a one-goal game, but if martinez is healthy, I think it's a very different series. and, of course, if Voynov doesnt go to jail, then the LA D becomes best in the league. They had to dress and play big minutes to alot of bottom pairing guys. mainly, Brayden McNabb had 0 points and a -4 in under 17 min/gm and Mcbain had 0 points and just 2 shots in 11 min/gm. That 28 mins could easily have been eaten by alec martinez, and if so, that's a HUGE difference at both ends.
In other words, the sharks earned the W's, but they also got lucky and will face a much stronger D corps in the next round. They will have to be even better than they were against LA to go into uncharted water. I still have a healthy skepticism amidst my joy of dispatching the fucking kings.
