from Mark Spector of Sportsnet,

The team that gave us the TV series “Oil Change” has ironically managed not to change even a bit. So we asked second year general manager Craig MacTavish on cut-down day: Why should fans think that this year is going to be any different?

“You’re underestimating the quality of our fans. The educated fan base would say there is a lot of reasons for optimism,” was how his reply began. Then he began to tick off the reasons:

“I know the goaltending is stabilized. We set out to make some changes and improve the depth on defence. We’ve done that. We’ve got development of our star players, [and additions] with Leon playing well. Teddy Purcell has played very well the last three games. Benoit Pouliot has been an extremely valuable addition.

“So there’s no question, in my mind, that we’re better. And we’re significantly better. But…” It was a big but. One that requires explanation.

The question with this team isn’t if it is better. Of course it is it, for all the reasons MacTavish just stated.

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