Key words:
Could be
3rd liner
One day
more key words:
is currently playing
2nd line minutes
and scoring at a 53-point pace
i don't know what cole sillinger's ultimate role is going to be, but there's definitely enough meat left on the bone when it comes to his development, and he's already (based on production + ice time) surpassing this year the supposed end state that many see for him.
the way we talk about a "third line" outcome is too abstract anyway. if the way we define that is a player who plays a third line role and handily wins their minutes, it could be argued that they're actually an underutilized second line player. there are too many other variables (team composition, fit in system/roster, ultimate role).
based on his tools he seems like a guy who is going to play a ton of games but also move around a ton. i don't know what his long-term role would really be here. there's still a lot of developmental runway but he seems like a future plug-and-play, jack-of-all-trades kind of guy.
seems like a perfect trade chip for the team this summer if they want to get someone more dynamic, but it also seems like the staff/org loves the kid as a middle-six guy long-term who can be a leader in the room.
at the end of the day he's a really odd player and is a bit of a developmental black box despite already having over 250 games played and being on pace to put up second-line numbers.