henchman21
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Power's lack of defensive ability may hold him back from being a real #1. Not really an issue for the Sabres with Dahlin, but he's likely to fall slightly short of expectations.
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If that’s the case they probably jumped a little too hastily on that extension. I get why they did it but I think they should have let things play out and possibly offer him up as a trade chip to shore up other deficiencies.
Still seems like Matthias Samuelsson is relied on way too much to provide Buffalo’s defense.
henchman21
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Already cheaper than Nurse and Seth Jones. I know UFA vs RFA, but they count against the cap the same.
Oh I don’t think they’re overpaying him per se unless he regresses, just think they had a little time before anointing him a part of the core.
Whatever the case, that’s a very skilled blueline. In a properly-structured system it could do some damage.
henchman21
Mr. Meeseeks
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Oh I absolutely think he's a core level player. I think the worst case is you get a ~45-50 point, defensively limited #3D. Maybe he irons out the defense and finds a way to control his shot a bit more and elevates to a legit 2.
22FUTON9
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- Jun 30, 2010
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Lmao never change Graves, never change
dahrougem2
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I remember laughing hysterically as this happened. He was RIGHT THERE and Ken Holland not only trades down... he then drafts another small offense-only centre.
The argument he made was they don't want to wait 5+ years on Wallstedt.
henchman21
Mr. Meeseeks
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If there is something I despise in modern hockey it is this mindset. There is strong evidence that goalies should be in the NHL earlier than they currently are and have their best success on a similar curve to other skaters. More goalies need to be in the NHL at 20/21 at least as backups and more need to be starters at 22-24.
Personally, I think Wallstedt will end up taking the starter's net by the middle of next season in Minny. If not earlier.
How is Mini Monster doing there? If they hadn’t insistently played Fleury so much last year he could’ve been a Vezina candidate. He’d be hard to supplant if he continues like last year
henchman21
Mr. Meeseeks
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Gustavsson? Not great... people rushed way too quickly on that. He has yet to have a 2nd good game this season and Flower is taking back over. Frankly I think Gus can be an okay 1B, but he's not a starter and won't ever hold down a role long term.
Edmonton rumoured to be interested in trash bin. I think any nhl level goalie will change their mental game and they'll go out and play like a 130 point team.
Yep, go ahead Edmonton. Go make a panic deal for that whiny man-child to enter an already fragile locker room situation. Please do that.
dahrougem2
Registered User
Agreed. But this is Ken Holland, so prospects naturally need to "over ripen" for 5-7 years.
henchman21
Mr. Meeseeks
- Feb 24, 2012
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Few observations/way too early takes around the league:
Montreal fans figured out that Newhook isn't a center (shocker). For all the screaming about how great of skater he was and that the Avs misused him. They seemingly caught on quick that top speed doesn't mean anything if you use it only on PP entries and can't get any separation via skating any other time. I really hope they pin him back at wing with Dvorak back and let him settle in a role that he can succeed in.
Byfield looks fantastic. Maybe he's not a center, but if he plays like he's started... LA is insanely deep up front. Him taking a step would do wonders for their scoring ability.
Brink out there proving that ugly, but effective skating works at wing even as a shrimp. He's gonna be Atkinson 2.0 and be loved in Philly.
Mintyukov has been the most impressive rookie to me. He already looks like a seasoned vet and a future superstar. He probably won't really contend for the Calder, but Anaheim has a F gem with him. On Anaheim too... Cronin can really coach. When he gets everyone clicking and another year or so of development there, Anaheim is going to improve very quickly. Also a Dostal shoutout, he's been great.
Mentioned it in a different thread, but adding it here too. Fatty in Buffalo has clicked. He's producing a lot of offense 5v5, taking the more difficult matchups, playing with grit... it finally came together. A bit of a later bloomer than you'd like, but he looks every part of a high end 2C, arguably more. In this calendar year... he sits 4th in 5v5 points per 60, only behind MacK, Pasta, and Marner. In pure raw numbers, he sits 5th where Point and Rants swap ahead and Marner falls behind. He leads the league in 5v5 1st assists since Jan 1. It is getting to a larger sample too... that's 61 games.
Will Cuylle may not be flashy, but he's another rookie who I just love. Plays the game the right way, physical, some skill... wish the Avs selected him as he'd be perfect here.
Boeser also may have finally clicked... his scoring rate is unlikely to stay this high, but he looks like he's finally living up to his 40g potential. After all the things he's been through, this is great to see. Tangentially related, shoutout here to @The Mars Volchenkov. If I'm remembering correctly, him and I had a discussion many years ago about Boeser and Novak... where he was very high on Novak, another guy who it finally clicked for.
Hagel is going to give voters a chance to give a wing the Selke. He looks phenomenal on both ends of the ice. Tampa as a whole doesn't look great, but between him, Kuch (also looking amazing), and Point... they'll still be a thorn in the East's side.
Montreal fans figured out that Newhook isn't a center (shocker). For all the screaming about how great of skater he was and that the Avs misused him. They seemingly caught on quick that top speed doesn't mean anything if you use it only on PP entries and can't get any separation via skating any other time. I really hope they pin him back at wing with Dvorak back and let him settle in a role that he can succeed in.
Byfield looks fantastic. Maybe he's not a center, but if he plays like he's started... LA is insanely deep up front. Him taking a step would do wonders for their scoring ability.
Brink out there proving that ugly, but effective skating works at wing even as a shrimp. He's gonna be Atkinson 2.0 and be loved in Philly.
Mintyukov has been the most impressive rookie to me. He already looks like a seasoned vet and a future superstar. He probably won't really contend for the Calder, but Anaheim has a F gem with him. On Anaheim too... Cronin can really coach. When he gets everyone clicking and another year or so of development there, Anaheim is going to improve very quickly. Also a Dostal shoutout, he's been great.
Mentioned it in a different thread, but adding it here too. Fatty in Buffalo has clicked. He's producing a lot of offense 5v5, taking the more difficult matchups, playing with grit... it finally came together. A bit of a later bloomer than you'd like, but he looks every part of a high end 2C, arguably more. In this calendar year... he sits 4th in 5v5 points per 60, only behind MacK, Pasta, and Marner. In pure raw numbers, he sits 5th where Point and Rants swap ahead and Marner falls behind. He leads the league in 5v5 1st assists since Jan 1. It is getting to a larger sample too... that's 61 games.
Will Cuylle may not be flashy, but he's another rookie who I just love. Plays the game the right way, physical, some skill... wish the Avs selected him as he'd be perfect here.
Boeser also may have finally clicked... his scoring rate is unlikely to stay this high, but he looks like he's finally living up to his 40g potential. After all the things he's been through, this is great to see. Tangentially related, shoutout here to @The Mars Volchenkov. If I'm remembering correctly, him and I had a discussion many years ago about Boeser and Novak... where he was very high on Novak, another guy who it finally clicked for.
Hagel is going to give voters a chance to give a wing the Selke. He looks phenomenal on both ends of the ice. Tampa as a whole doesn't look great, but between him, Kuch (also looking amazing), and Point... they'll still be a thorn in the East's side.
Really feels like Mittelstadt was the one that got away for us. I feel like a reasonable offer for him a couple summers ago would have gotten something done and 2C would be a complete non issue here now.
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Lmao never change Graves, never change
He’s convinced he’s the main character.
Taking 25% of the shots when you’re on the ice with those guys, never mind that 83% of them get blocked or miss the net. Unreal.
What a donkey just galloping in the wind. Bless him.
henchman21
Mr. Meeseeks
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Probably, but it would have been a risky sort of trade. I'm kinda surprised how under the radar his progression is. Maybe it is Thompson/Dahlin casting a shadow... but he's been the best player on Buffalo this year and was fantastic to end the season last year. He's unlikely to end up a top scorer this year and things will settle... but he's certainly not the Jost level bust that was once thought. I'd say there is a decent chance that if he gets legit PP time that he flirts with 70 points.
Still like the player but I just don't know where he suddenly got it in his head he has to just put his head down and repeatedly fire it at the net every time he's got it on the blue line. It wasn't always like that. Maybe he needs to head to Anaheim eventually so Cronin can work his magic once again.
BobRossColton
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henchman21
Mr. Meeseeks
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Buffalo simply isn't trading him. One way or another they'll figure out the rotation. Could be a 3 even line situation ala what LA is doing to start the year. Or one of Mitts/Cozens ends up on the wing. Currently Mitts is playing 2C with Cozens in the 3C slot, though I don't think that lasts.
Before he got hurt they put Cozens on the wing alongside Thompson and Fatty was the 2C, with (I think) Jost and Krebs switching off centering the 3rd line.
BobRossColton
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henchman21
Mr. Meeseeks
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Judging by the Avs' history and how they succession plan their top picks... Ritchie is the guy after RyJo no matter what. ROR -> MacK (despite Roy's objections), Duchene -> Jost, Kadri -> Newhook, RyJo -> Ritchie. That is just how the Avs have operated over the years, and at this point, we should just expect this pattern.
The Kingslayer
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Guy still thinks hes Bobby Orr
Lmao never change Graves, never change
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