I think there is far too much being taken from a slice of preseason games.
CMM has to hit 50pts to be acceptable? Geez. How about refining his 2 way game (defense and face offs) and becoming a 40pt 3rd line 2 way center?
Isn’t he “kinda” there, already?
Lapierre did great last year. Will he slump? Possibly? Will he push forward? Probably?
Dismissing or promoting any players after THREE preseason games is looking to ride a roller coaster. It’s asking too much, right now.
I think perhaps I wasn't clear:
McMichael doesn't need 50 points to be acceptable this season as a personal metric, but
based on the strides Lapierre was making and assuming some things for sake of argument (no significant regressions, injuries, massive steps
forward, etc.) I think he would need to get around there to stay
ahead developmentally and secure his position in the organization. This whole thing is kind of baked around the idea that Dubois is here to stay and they won't be trading Strome any time soon, so my statement is solely about what McMichael would need to do to be comfortably in the game of musical chairs.
I don't see McMichael being Lars Eller effective as a strong 2-way 3C on the defensive side of the puck. I don't think he's
bad, but I don't think 40 point shutdown match-up center is in the cards for him. Unless that changed this summer and he's taken super soldier serum, I think his best bet is as a refined
producer and flirting with a 20+30 type of season. Honestly given how many times he fudged good chances last year that could hit 30+30+ if things go well for him. I could be wrong about the defense, he's a smart player and maybe this is the year he attacks the role but to me his best way forward is going to be flipping the switch offensively, working on his shooting and converting on more chances.
Obviously there are variables on variables here, but we were talking about
long term and how to navigate his development in relation to the other centers on the team. No doubt, I've loaded this with a lot of assumptions but you... kind of have to in order to start projecting down the road, and that's why it's not a plan set in stone.