Last year whenever the team needed to change the momentum of the game or start a period off right they deployed the WTF line and it worked. The heavily relied on that line for energy and to set the tone for the team. Other teams have some top end players that can supply that energy when needed. Buch is not playing like a top line player. Kyrou and Thomas bring zero energy to the team. I would say all 3 more often than not have a negative effect on the team energy wise if they aren’t scoring.TruBlueFan_1970 wrote: ↑01 Jan 2026 09:45 am Not saying it was THE difference, but losing Faksa has hurt this team. He was a big, physical, defensively responsible center that brought a lot of intangibles, along with stability on that 4th line. The WTF line could play against any line and brought the hammer.
Suter was a calming presence on the bottom pair and had a little nasty in him around the crease. The other differences that I see was the play of Holloway, Kyrou and the emergence of Bolduc. Between injuries, lack of production and the trade, this team is way down in goal production and is missing the element of two lines that could score.
So yes, it’s a different team. Faksa was a loss, as evidenced by how quickly Dallas realized their mistake and got him back. Suter was a loss. Bolduc was a loss. Holloway and Kyrou have underperformed/been injured.
This might be an old school way of thinking but I was always taught when a team is struggling to score simplify the game and just shoot the puck on net and drive the net for rebounds. Those 3 are still trying to pass the puck into the net. Maybe only Thomas wears a A on his jersey but when you are the three highest paid players on the team you are expected to lead whether you want to or not. If the team is struggling or you aren’t contributing offensively while making 8 million a year then you need to contribute other ways. Another lesson I was taught young was you may have to do something outside your comfort zone. Block a shot, make a big hit, drop the gloves, do something, that energy is much more effective when it comes from a top player. Parayko on blue line also wears an A, go throw a big hit or two when the team needs energy, watch how the team plays after that. I think the team needs to move on from a couple of these players even if it means finishing lower in the standings for a couple years.