Around the League 36-But Who's Counting...

[Svechhammer]

I love the kid, but no way. He makes too many questionable decisions to ever get there. He'll get better, and could be the best player we have as he does, but he doesn't have everything needed to be the best player in the league.

He's also only 22 years old, and still has plenty of time to develop. Way too early to throw any ceiling on his development trajectory

 

[AhosDatsyukian]

I legitimately think Svech has a ceiling of being the best player in the league. When he's on, he's an absolute beast and one of the few I've seen who are legitimately unstoppable. I'm not sure he'll get there, but it would be very good to get him on a great line where he's able to work in space rather than having to do everything on his own. Even the best players need help.

Now, I will also go on record now to say that I think our biggest problem is that we are relatively weak down the middle. Aho really should be a 2C on a legitimate contending team. Drury should be getting mins now in order to groom him to be the Jordo replacement. And, while I am looking forward to his future with us, if we can package KK, picks, and prospects (plus maybe another roster player) for a legit 1C, we should be exploring those options.

Aho is criminally underrated, even by our own fanbase and I think he's a legit great 1C, see below. But to your point on being relatively weak down the middle on the whole, I agree. As it stand right now we don't have an ideal 2C for a contender. Maybe Necas could move there. KK could potentially develop into one in time but he isn't close right now. I know we're all high on Drury but I don't see much of a ceiling above being a 3C and I think KK is the more direct Jordo replacement longer term. "Legit 1Cs" (and even 2Cs to a degree, lesser but still) don't really become available and if they did, KK, picks and prospects doesn't really come close.

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Aho is a top 9 scoring C since he moved to C (really top 8 since they're counting Huberdeau who isn't a C), top 5 in goals among C since then too. Also, responsible defensively compared to some of those other high scorers, and over 50% on faceoffs with serious positive trend there after a terrible first 2 years in the dot (was up to 52% the last 2 years and is at 58% this year). Tied for 4th in +/- over that timeframe. 4th in game winning goals behind McDrai and Matthews... There's really no argument to suggest he isn't a legit top 5-10 1C.

 

[MinJaBen]

He's also only 22 years old, and still has plenty of time to develop. Way too early to throw any ceiling on his development trajectory

I'm throwing the Connor McDavid ceiling on his trajectory. He hasn't met that trajectory nor do I see his development exploding to over take him. Ever. Doesn't mean he isn't going to be great. But best in the League? No.

 

[tarheelhockey]

I'm throwing the Connor McDavid ceiling on his trajectory. He hasn't met that trajectory nor do I see his development exploding to over take him. Ever. Doesn't mean he isn't going to be great. But best in the League? No.

I straight up don't think Svech has the physical or mental capability to be the best player in the league. Some things really are fair to go ahead and call at 22 years old, this is one of them. If you think back through time to players who were recognized as the top player in the NHL (Howe -> Hull -> Orr -> Gretzky -> Lemieux -> Crosby -> McDavid) they were already Hart contenders and obvious superstars by this age.

(and yes, I am aware of the late 70s and early 00s... those were years where Orr and Lemieux would rightfully have been the title holder if they weren't knocked out of the league by injury)

 

[raynman]

I straight up don't think Svech has the physical or mental capability to be the best player in the league. Some things really are fair to go ahead and call at 22 years old, this is one of them. If you think back through time to players who were recognized as the top player in the NHL (Howe -> Hull -> Orr -> Gretzky -> Lemieux -> Crosby -> McDavid) they were already Hart contenders and obvious superstars by this age.

(and yes, I am aware of the late 70s and early 00s... those were years where Orr and Lemieux would rightfully have been the title holder if they weren't knocked out of the league by injury)

Not even a knock on Svech, that’s just how f***ing good guys like McJesus, Makar, and Matthews are

 

[Lempo]

Global Series CBJ-COL 3-5, nine minutes left.

 

[Lempo]

Rantanen hatter in home country.

 

[Boom Boom Apathy]

I love the kid, but no way. He makes too many questionable decisions to ever get there. He'll get better, and could be the best player we have as he does, but he doesn't have everything needed to be the best player in the league.

And McDavid and Matthews (and others) will be in their prime for most of Svech’s prime.

 

[tarheelhockey]

Aho really should be a 2C on a legitimate contending team.

imagine thinking this

couldnt be me

 

[Svechhammer]

imagine thinking this

couldnt be me

The timing of my bad takes are always, without a doubt, impeccable

 

[Stickpucker]

Aho is great as a 1c on a contender. He's more in the Zetterberg/Datsyuk mold and those guys peaked pretty late in their career.

The problem as mentioned is 2c and to some degree chemistry in the top 6. Necas could be the 2c solution in the long term but we could use a little more pop in the top 6 long term. Maybe Patches patches that in the short to medium term.

My other small nitpick is we need a better pp or pp coach along with a better solution to qb the 2nd pp.

 

[CupInSIX]

He's also only 22 years old, and still has plenty of time to develop. Way too early to throw any ceiling on his development trajectory

Does he have a similar trajectory to, say, Kucherov? He became a top 2 player by his 4th year. Svech is a little late to the party but could he blossom into the top winger in the league?

Svech Aho Marty Jarvis
Slavin Pesce

is an amazing core, but I wonder if they added too many 30+ forwards. Stastny looks done.
Though I spose it doesn't matter now that the locoKoko era is here.

 

[mikeyfan]

My Opinion on the 2nd PP unit. We don't have a net front presence and Stastny isn't the solution. So my proposal is either put Slavin in front of the net, good stick and hard to move, or Martinook.

Now to explain both.

Slavin - the 2nd PP unit usually comes out with less than a minute remaining and with both Slavin and Pesce on out there the transition between the end of the PP to a regular 5 man lineup doesn't need to be made. Also, as stated Slavin has a great stick and if he is in front of the net, aka Chara in Boston back in the day, he won't be easy to move.

IF not Slavin, then Martinook,

Martinook has no problem sticking his nose in front of the net, can tip pucks on the way in, but he can also get under the skin of the players around him with his trash talking. That could be just enough to get someone off their game long enough to get a better shot.

So 2nd line PP

Svech, Tevo, KoKo, Slavin
Pesce as QB or
Svech, Tevo, Koko, Martinook
Pesce as QB

 

[chaz4hockey]

My Opinion on the 2nd PP unit. We don't have a net front presence and Stastny isn't the solution. So my proposal is either put Slavin in front of the net, good stick and hard to move, or Martinook.

Now to explain both.

Slavin - the 2nd PP unit usually comes out with less than a minute remaining and with both Slavin and Pesce on out there the transition between the end of the PP to a regular 5 man lineup doesn't need to be made. Also, as stated Slavin has a great stick and if he is in front of the net, aka Chara in Boston back in the day, he won't be easy to move.

IF not Slavin, then Martinook,

Martinook has no problem sticking his nose in front of the net, can tip pucks on the way in, but he can also get under the skin of the players around him with his trash talking. That could be just enough to get someone off their game long enough to get a better shot.

So 2nd line PP

Svech, Tevo, KoKo, Slavin
Pesce as QB or
Svech, Tevo, Koko, Martinook
Pesce as QB

Good ideas but I don’t want Slavin out front getting hammered over the course of the season. Maybe playoffs. I suspect Patches will make a difference too.

 

[CupInSIX]

Good ideas but I don’t want Slavin out front getting hammered over the course of the season. Maybe playoffs. I suspect Patches will make a difference too.

Patches scores off the rush, usually. He won't be much use as a net front presence or getting off a 1 timer on the PP unfortunately. I think his brain is attached to his feet, and when they're not moving, it doesn't work.

Even though I said the Canes have too many forwards in their 30s, Gourde would provide some nice sandpaper, goes to the net and can play 2C if need be. They just need to find some loose cap change in the couch. Too bad they retained on Bear.

 

[Nikishin Go Boom]

Patches scores off the rush, usually. He won't be much use as a net front presence or getting off a 1 timer on the PP unfortunately. I think his brain is attached to his feet, and when they're not moving, it doesn't work.

Even though I said the Canes have too many forwards in their 30s, Gourde would provide some nice sandpaper, goes to the net and can play 2C if need be. They just need to find some loose cap change in the couch. Too bad they retained on Bear.

Gourde would be a worse 2C than Kotkaniemi

 

[CupInSIX]

Gourde would be a worse 2C than Kotkaniemi

He's versatile depth that knows to go to the dirty areas

 

[TheReelChuckFletcher]

Patches scores off the rush, usually. He won't be much use as a net front presence or getting off a 1 timer on the PP unfortunately. I think his brain is attached to his feet, and when they're not moving, it doesn't work.

Even though I said the Canes have too many forwards in their 30s, Gourde would provide some nice sandpaper, goes to the net and can play 2C if need be. They just need to find some loose cap change in the couch. Too bad they retained on Bear.

Based on the 8-2-1 record, I think that our roster composition is just right. Every single core piece of this forward roster is 25 or under. Three of them are actually under the age of 23 (Svech, KK, Jarvis). None of the guys that they brought in are truly core pieces. Even Pacioretty is more like a premium support piece.

 

[CupInSIX]

Based on the 8-2-1 record, I think that our roster composition is just right. Every single core piece of this forward roster is 25 or under. Three of them are actually under the age of 23 (Svech, KK, Jarvis). None of the guys that they brought in are truly core pieces. Even Pacioretty is more like a premium support piece.

I should clarify the 30+ comment was more geared towards the bottom 6.

 

[bleedgreen]

Aho is great as a 1c on a contender. He's more in the Zetterberg/Datsyuk mold and those guys peaked pretty late in their career.

The problem as mentioned is 2c and to some degree chemistry in the top 6. Necas could be the 2c solution in the long term but we could use a little more pop in the top 6 long term. Maybe Patches patches that in the short to medium term.

My other small nitpick is we need a better pp or pp coach along with a better solution to qb the 2nd pp.

Any coach that spits his drinks out when someone mentions Pesce as the solo point man on pp2 would be a good start.

The 2C is a need for playoffs this year imo, as we are geared to go far and shouldn’t be wasting this chance. Hopefully Kk starts bringing it or Necas gets a chance.

 

[TheReelChuckFletcher]

To me, the ideal deadline pickup would be Pierre-Luc Dubois. He is a pending RFA and would cost a ton to acquire, but is also young enough to sign to an 8 year term afterwards (And yes, I think that he would choose to sign here over Montreal; again, true contenders always have an upper hand in player retention). A center group of Aho/Dubois/KK would be nasty as hell moving forward.

 

[Nikishin Go Boom]

To me, the ideal deadline pickup would be Pierre-Luc Dubois. He is a pending RFA and would cost a ton to acquire, but is also young enough to sign to an 8 year term afterwards (And yes, I think that he would choose to sign here over Montreal; again, true contenders always have an upper hand in player retention). A center group of Aho/Dubois/KK would be nasty as hell moving forward.

We don’t seem like “me” players type of team.

We all know we are acquiring Matthews as they continue to suck and he demands a trade.

 

[Boom Boom Apathy]

Gourde would be a worse 2C than Kotkaniemi

But think of the advantages, if we moved Necas to 2C and then added Gourde, we could then put Staal at 5C!

 

[Cardiac Jerks]

To me, the ideal deadline pickup would be Pierre-Luc Dubois. He is a pending RFA and would cost a ton to acquire, but is also young enough to sign to an 8 year term afterwards (And yes, I think that he would choose to sign here over Montreal; again, true contenders always have an upper hand in player retention). A center group of Aho/Dubois/KK would be nasty as hell moving forward.

Dubois is a prima donna. Don’t need his bad attitude around our team.

 

[MinJaBen]

To me, the ideal deadline pickup would be Pierre-Luc Dubois. He is a pending RFA and would cost a ton to acquire, but is also young enough to sign to an 8 year term afterwards (And yes, I think that he would choose to sign here over Montreal; again, true contenders always have an upper hand in player retention). A center group of Aho/Dubois/KK would be nasty as hell moving forward.

He’s “Foxing” his next locale. He is a Francophone that wants to play in Quebec. I’d not risk anything more than rental assets.