Despite losing Stamkos, Tampa has 5 players running at a PPG

[SeanMoneyHands]

The two that surprise me the most are Hagel and Cirelli, both having career years. Who here would have thought Hagel and Cirelli would have PPG potential? This team, just like Vegas keeps finding ways to re-tool on the fly. They lose guys like Stamkos, Sergachev, Palat, Killorn and they just keep on rolling.

If Hedman picks it up a bit then they would have 6 players running at a PPG pace. Kucherov still putting up crazy numbers.

How does this team do it? Is it coaching? I think it is. Cooper could still be the best coach in the league. I still think they are a contender, their window never closed. Sure their core has aged but you just can't beat a proven core of Kucherov, Point, Hedman and Vasy come playoff time. There's no team in the NHL that has a core that good in all positions.

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[Rschmitz]

It’s all about Hagel-Cirelli, those two play phenomenal together and both should be in early Selke consideration

 

[SeanMoneyHands]

It’s all about Hagel-Cirelli, those two play phenomenal together and both should be in early Selke consideration

They remind me of when Stephenson and Stone were together. Hagel has turned into on heck of a player. Chicago was dumb for trading him.

 

[895]

I think it might be more "because" and less "despite"

 

[The Gr8 Dane]

This is only a suprise to people who weren't paying attention , kuch is just giving his +20 free points boost to others instead of Stammer

 

[Gaylord Q Tinkledink]

Aside from Cirelli it's not really a surprise that the others are.

I would have assumed Hedman as the 5th.

 

[DFC]

Honestly, Stamkos was probably holding guys back 5v5, while helping some PP numbers.

I think Hagel has ppg potential. I'd be ecstatic with 60 points from Cirelli.

I'm sure Nashville fans can speak to this by now. Having the one timer threat on the PP is great, but Stamkos is an absolutely anchor to his linemates 5v5.

 

[TheDoldrums]

Sure their core has aged but you just can't beat a proven core of Kucherov, Point, Hedman and Vasy come playoff time.

two straight first round exits fyi, so I guess you can

 

[Rschmitz]

This is only a suprise to people who weren't paying attention , kuch is just giving his +20 free points boost to others instead of Stammer

It's rare that Kucherov plays with Cirelli or Hagel

 

[Fatass]

Tampa was smart. The allocated the Stamkos cap to a younger and (now) much more effective player in Geuntzel.

 

[Big Daddy Cane]

As a team, they’re pacing for their lowest point total in 11 years.

 

[benfranklin]

Cute to lose Stamkos without noting gaining Guentzel. They traded in for the younger gf.

 

[Look Up]

Feel like I just wandered into another hfboards downfall thread.

 

[SoundAndFury]

As a team, they’re pacing for their lowest point total in 11 years.

Yes, their offensive depth is terrible by design with only 6 forwards making over a million. But keeping Stamkos certainly wouldn't have helped.

Regarding pace, I don't think it means anything. Last year they had 25 points after 25 games.

 

[Madap]

And they still suck, damn

 

[SoundAndFury]

Chicago was dumb for trading him.

They got 2 first-round picks and 2 decent prospects for it. For Brandon freaking Hagel. Come on now.

 

[Armourboy]

Honestly, Stamkos was probably holding guys back 5v5, while helping some PP numbers.

I think Hagel has ppg potential. I'd be ecstatic with 60 points from Cirelli.

I'm sure Nashville fans can speak to this by now. Having the one timer threat on the PP is great, but Stamkos is an absolutely anchor to his linemates 5v5.

Yeah if you had a DH spot in hockey where you could just trot a guy out there for the PP he would be fine, but he is god awful 5v5.

From what I can tell that is basically what Tampa fans have seen this season, they have missed him on the PP but 5v5 it was probably a gain.

Based on what Tampa fans had been saying coming in I didn't expect Stamkos to be good 5v5, I just didn't expect him to be completely and totally worthless.

 

[ViD]

Who’s starting a new poll: more replaceable Matthews or Stamkos ?

 

[Armourboy]

Who’s starting a new poll: more replaceable Matthews or Stamkos ?

Stamkos wins that hands down. 5v5 he couldn't produce a point with most of the other team on the bench, its bad.

 

[Oilslick941611]

Stamkos declined and Tampa played their cards right and didn't extend him when they knew what he contributed.

 

[olli]

Who’s starting a new poll: more replaceable Matthews or Stamkos ?

I know this is sarcastic but there’s enough leaf haters on here that actually would vote for Matthews.

 

[benfranklin]

Stamkos wins that hands down. 5v5 he couldn't produce a point with most of the other team on the bench, its bad.

Sounds like fake news you heard on the internet. Sure his 5v5 went down in the last two seasons compared to his 106 point 21-22, but hardly "bad".

Stamkos declined and Tampa played their cards right and didn't extend him when they knew what he contributed.

Not like Guentzel is lighting up 5v5. Hes the younger version that wont even touch Stamkos's prime or even 21-22 version, but they avoided Stamkos' regression so smart move still.

 

[Armourboy]

Sounds like fake news you heard on the internet. Sure his 5v5 went down in the last two seasons compared to his 106 point 21-22, but hardly "bad".

View attachment 937298

Now go look at his stats this season and get back to me. He has 11 pts. 9 of those are from the PP. He's got the 3rd most ice time of the forwards and he has a grand total of 2 pts while being a -14.

Yeah its that bad.

 

[2023FriendshipTour]

Guentzel still has another gear. I figured he'd score a 100 this year and still may very well. He definitely isn't shooting as much as normal yet.

 

[StreetHawk]

Guentzel still has another gear. I figured he'd score a 100 this year and still may very well. He definitely isn't shooting as much as normal yet.

They gave him a max term deal, and he just turned 30 so he was going to give them some good years. Back half, wait and see. But, now is when the Bolts were expected to receive the best of him so making the most of it.