Key to the turn around

[Nook]

What do you think the catalyst to the Blades' turnaround is/was?

I think it happend at the trade deadline.

This team changed when they acquired Ferland. Ferland adds a dimension to that top line that not many WHL players can add. His size and talent has given guys like Stransky and Walker room and opportunities to put pucks in the net. And to think I was skeptical of the deadline deals at first.

I'm happy with what Benoit and Valcourt add as well... Big, veteran 3rd liners that can pot the occasional goal and kill penalties.

Lorne added the right pieces.

I don't want to jinx these guys, but this team has more depth than the Blades had in '11 when they picked up Schenn.

Oh, and the "Team Russia" Makarov showed up. Ha.

[JMoney1988]

I totally agree with you, once the players started to gel a little, they started to take off and Marakov has been near perfect through out this winning streak............

[franchise]

The addition of Nathan Burns was the piece of the puzzle that got them going in the right direction. It gave them two solid lines. The additions at the trade deadline were huge however. Those three guys gave them four solid lines. Kind of a chicken and egg thing, but whatever, I think that adding the three at the deadline has contributed in so many ways. On the PK, the PP, and just the overall attitude with the team. In Red Deer they looked so confident; and played that way. This streak has done more than get them to where they are point-wise, it has transformed their self belief and their group sense that they really can compete with anyone.
No matter how you cut it though, the deals Lorne made have changed the entire identity of this team.

[patsdude114]

I haven't had the pleasure to watch the Blades since trade deadline (which may be a good thing cuz that means playing my crappy Pats) but from an outsider looking in as much as I hate Ferland I believe he has been the main reason for the turn around. I don't know if he was given a letter on his jersey or not but his leadership & winning ways from his time in BRN over the years think is the key piece. I think without Ferland the Blades are still just an underacheiving group who would of been pretenders.

Ferland brings that toughness to the team that no 1 else has, hands down the toughest guy in the league this year. This gives the Blades other star players more room on this ice as there is that threat that a player may have to deal with Ferland later. Let's remember these are kids not men & that's always in the back of there minds. He is a true intimidater even sitting on the bench.

Burns, Valcourt, Beniot have all been great additions as well but in different ways from there style of game. As much aas I hate stoon & was loving it that they were faultering so bad up until trade deadline in reality I am glad they turned it around, not for the fans but for the kids themselves. They are/were under a lot of pressure being such a big year as Memorial Cup Hosts, like it or not that's a lot of pressure for young kids.

Has Makarov played every single game during the winning streak? If he has at 1 point 1 has got to think he is going to need aa rest, don't want him burnt out come playoff time as the goalie can be a deciding factor for any playoff run.

[franchise]

The team is collectively a lot tougher to play against and his scoring touch is still there. The difference between him and Kambeitz is the biggest difference no doubt. He is wearing an A; deservedly.

[JMoney1988]

I haven't had the pleasure to watch the Blades since trade deadline (which may be a good thing cuz that means playing my crappy Pats) but from an outsider looking in as much as I hate Ferland I believe he has been the main reason for the turn around. I don't know if he was given a letter on his jersey or not but his leadership & winning ways from his time in BRN over the years think is the key piece. I think without Ferland the Blades are still just an underacheiving group who would of been pretenders.

Ferland brings that toughness to the team that no 1 else has, hands down the toughest guy in the league this year. This gives the Blades other star players more room on this ice as there is that threat that a player may have to deal with Ferland later. Let's remember these are kids not men & that's always in the back of there minds. He is a true intimidater even sitting on the bench.

Burns, Valcourt, Beniot have all been great additions as well but in different ways from there style of game. As much aas I hate stoon & was loving it that they were faultering so bad up until trade deadline in reality I am glad they turned it around, not for the fans but for the kids themselves. They are/were under a lot of pressure being such a big year as Memorial Cup Hosts, like it or not that's a lot of pressure for young kids.

Has Makarov played every single game during the winning streak? If he has at 1 point 1 has got to think he is going to need aa rest, don't want him burnt out come playoff time as the goalie can be a deciding factor for any playoff run.

Yes, Marakov has started every game on this winning, you would think giving Marakov a rest truth is, he thrives on a workload and the way he is playing doesn't tell Lorne to rest him, We thought when we played Brandon and Moose Jaw that one week, he would get a rest but we didn't...

[Trav]

I think the biggest reason for the team's success is that the three deadline deals they made (Ferland, Valcourt and Benoit) instantly gave them four solid lines. The depth up front is pretty solid. No big names but most of their forwards could be second liners at least on some other teams.

Would've been nice to have gotten a d-man or two but the defense seems to be hanging in there, especially with Makarov playing as well as he has.

[Nook]

I think the biggest reason for the team's success is that the three deadline deals they made (Ferland, Valcourt and Benoit) instantly gave them four solid lines. The depth up front is pretty solid. No big names but most of their forwards could be second liners at least on some other teams.

Would've been nice to have gotten a d-man or two but the defense seems to be hanging in there, especially with Makarov playing as well as he has.

4 solid lines is important. I don't think they had that in '11 so much...

I suppose we'll get an inside look to what the acquisitions did to the team with the sportsnet special.

[curwie]

The team is collectively a lot tougher to play against and his scoring touch is still there. The difference between him and Kambeitz is the biggest difference no doubt. He is wearing an A; deservedly.

Ferland is not wearing an A. He is without question a team leader though.

[Trevor]

Has to be Ferland. Not to diminish what Benoit and Valcourt brought to the Blades, but Ferland has outscored and has a better +/-the two of them combined.