Linz bids 2008 adieu

With the end of 2008 upon us, the Black Wings bid goodbye to another year of rebuilding. It seems to be one step forward, two steps back with this team and what I am not ashamed to say, I wonky 2008-2009 season disc. I've never seen so many 1D's, centre-only designations, and a 15 goal game is becoming the norm these days.

Kyle Wellwood (one of the 1Ds mentioned above) is no longer lining up with Jason Spezza and Marty St. Louis on the 1st line. Patrick O'Sullivan has taken over the role and performs about as well as Wellwood did last season. Those three score the lion's share of the points for the Black Wings as scoring depth remains an issue. Martin Hanzal's numbers are decent though he needs more work in his own end. Eric Perrin's rating were a disappointment and thus he's not contributing what we expected he would this season. The addition of Steve Reinprecht hasn't sparking any new offense though some line juggling is on the way and after only two games it's too early to tell.
The defense, formerly a Linz strong point, has taken a beating thanks mostly to injuries. The new top pairing of Norstrom and Robidas is sounds, but it falls hard after that. Jordan Leopold's bright spark was snuffed out thanks to injury last season and he's not looked the same since. Andy Greene and Jeff Schultz have also battled injury already this year.
The emergence of Pascal Leclaire in goal has helped, but he's sputtered in 2008 -2009 in the NHL and has lost his job to Steve Mason. Unless he gets traded soon, Linz will once again be without a goaltender in the off-season, a common theme seemingly year after year.
Next year's crop of rookies looked promising at the beginning of this year's NHL campagin. owever, that too has been snuffed out by injury and poor play. The above-mention demotion of Leclaire will hurt, Patrick O'Sullivan spent a good chunk of the early season in the doghouse and this has affected his ratings. Zach Bogosian and Derrick Brassard both started out on fire, but now both are out with long-term injuries. Martin Hanzal hasn't grown as expected, Boyd Devereaux wallows in the minors, and neither back-up goalie is even playing in the NHL anymore.
On a bright note, Michael Ryder has re-emerged as a scoring threat and is on pace for a 30 gaol season. Kyle Wellwood also has found new life in Vancouver and shouldn't be far behind Ryder's totals. Hopefully we've either moved from APBA by then, or he doesn't get saddled with a 1D again. All in all, Linz's fortunes this year have been very much like the NYSE's, a little up, and a lot of down.