Player Discussion Drake Batherson (RW) - Part II

[dumbdick]

This needs a bump.

Batherson has been quietly so good this year. Hugely improved defensively and is playing with a calmness and poise I haven't seen from him before. Easily the most improved player this season.

His mind has been unburdened.

 

[Answer]

He looked really engaged last game. I wish he would play like this more often.

Only if he wasn't that lazy he would be a more offensively skilled version of Brady

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

Batherson is really rounding into form. Do Not Trade list

 

[OD99]

Batherson is really rounding into form. Do Not Trade list

He has been on that list since he signed his deal.

Even with his warts, he was good value. Now, he is a steal. It's a shame we couldn't have done more while we have had him on such a great contract.

He is back to pre-Dell form, but with an improved defensive game.

I have to say, I am very happy to see the Tkachuk Norris line back together. They looked great.

 

[Xspyrit]

It's so great to see Batherson, Norris and Chabot back to their level, not entirely yet for Chabot and Norris but these guys all deserve injury-free seasons and play up to their potential

It would be so pathetic if we can't achieve any team success though, wasting so many great players prime.

 

[LiseL]

I mean, Chabot has be really good too, so Idk if Bath is easily the most improved. Both deserve some props though.

Honorable mention to Stu. More physical this year, plays as a unit and he's the youngest of the 3. Drake started showing improvement under JM, Chabot since paired with Jensen, Stu since new coaching staff. Bodes well for the future.

 

[dumbdick]

Honorable mention to Stu. More physical this year, plays as a unit and he's the youngest of the 3. Drake started showing improvement under JM, Chabot since paired with Jensen, Stu since new coaching staff. Bodes well for the future.

We need sandy and g back.

 

[vandelay]

We need sandy and g back.

This. Giroux honestly looks cooked. Still faurly effective because he's smart but he's not moving his feet and behind the play.

 

[dumbdick]

Is he our best player right now?

 

[Keli]

Is he our best player right now?

No, Stutzle is but he is probably second.

 

[dumbdick]

No, Stutzle is but he is probably second.

I know stu has more talent and is a wizard, but i still think it's pretty close. Drake feels like he's more consistently making stuff happen. (Slightly, to me).

 

[PlayOn]

I know stu has more talent and is a wizard, but i still think it's pretty close. Drake feels like he's more consistently making stuff happen. (Slightly, to me).

Drake might be slightly better on the PP. 5v5 it’s definitely Timmy.

Batherson has elevated of late but he’s got way better linemates. I don’t think he could do much with Giroux and Gaudette as linemates.

Not to discredit him at all because he’s incredible. Stützle is just another level.

 

[Xspyrit]

Is he our best player right now?

1. Stutzle
2. Chabot
3. Batherson

... the rest, clearly behind

 

[bicboi64]

It was friggin Bath time last night.

Looking forward to seeing him hit 30g and be PPG this year.

 

[VermetteFan]

He's no Vermette but Batherson is playing with some extra confidence/determination lately. Silky smooth player and throwing the body around too, fans love to see it!

 

[Icelevel]

Excellent 1st period tonight.

 

[DylanSensFan]

Bathy from Chabot. Beauty play.

 

[OD99]

That play where he was in the middle of 4 Penguins and was one-handed, tipping pucks between their legs and single-handedly keeping the puck alive was amazing.

He then chased it into the corner, scaring that Penguin into crashing himself into the boards

 

[Ouroboros]

Confirmed cheater.

Sometimes he just stands near the net and lets the puck bounce off his skate and in.

Hard to support a player that lacks strong hockey ethics.

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

That play where he was in the middle of 4 Penguins and was one-handed, tipping pucks between their legs and single-handedly keeping the puck alive was amazing.

He then chased it into the corner, scaring that Penguin into crashing himself into the boards

He almost did that vs the Canes on an entry 1 on 3 .. He is pretty nifty

 

[Forsbergaura21]

So what’s the verdict on Batherson’s peak potential? Is he going to top out as a point per game player? Or is there upside there for even more than that?


Thanks.

 

[PlayOn]

So what’s the verdict on Batherson’s peak potential? Is he going to top out as a point per game player? Or is there upside there for even more than that?


Thanks.

Hard to say. Has some cold streaks every season that could prevent it. Maybe he can do more but won’t on the current team, roster construction would have to be better.

Part of the problem right now is when he plays with Norris, they get a bunch of d-zone starts because Norris is used in that role/is good at faceoffs. Batherson realistically shouldn’t be used that way if we had a better setup. But I don’t know, him and Stützle aren’t bad together but nothing has fully “clicked”, and Green hasn’t really been too keen on stacking the top line with Bath, Tkachuk and Stützle probably because it would kill either the third or second line.

A long way of saying: in the right situation, on a line with great chemistry and used strictly to drive offense… maybe.

 

[Cosmix]

Essentially we are short TWO TOP 6 Forwards. Giroux is no longer a top 6 and declining. Perron has declined and may be injury prone at his age. Pinto might become a top 6 but he lacks dynamism, speed and play-making.