F Ryan Leonard - Boston College, NCAA (2023, 8th, WSH)

[Cush]

scored again

 

[The Crypto Guy]

On pace for just 46 points this season after scoring 60 last season. No points in the last 3. Not the type of offensive season you were hoping for when he went back to college for another year.

 

[Dr John Carlson]

Wasn't he named Player of the Month for November?

Hater alert!

 

[The Crypto Guy]

Wasn't he named Player of the Month for November?

Hater alert!

That doesnt change the fact he is on pace for a much worse offensive season…..

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

I think one takeaway is that BC does not have the offensive firepower of last season. Not only did Smith leave, but also Gauthier. Having both of them gave the lineup so much more depth and firepower. Hagens can replace one of them, but the replacement for the other is basically two Freshman, Stiga and Letourneau, who are good players but not top 5 picks like Gauthier and Smith were.

Leonard recently hasn’t been playing on a line with Perreault or Hagens. I think all of their numbers are suffering a little from the need to balance out the lineup more. It would be better for all of their scoring to run those three as the first line, but then you are asking questions about if it’s a one line team.

Leonard might suffer even more than the others because he’s more of a complimentary type of forward (a very good one) than a true playmaking driver.

 

[wickedwitch]

I think one takeaway is that BC does not have the offensive firepower of last season. Not only did Smith leave, but also Gauthier. Having both of them gave the lineup so much more depth and firepower. Hagens can replace one of them, but the replacement for the other is basically two Freshman, Stiga and Letourneau, who are good players but not top 5 picks like Gauthier and Smith were.

Leonard recently hasn’t been playing on a line with Perreault or Hagens. I think all of their numbers are suffering a little from the need to balance out the lineup more. It would be better for all of their scoring to run those three as the first line, but then you are asking questions about if it’s a one line team.

Leonard might suffer even more than the others because he’s more of a complimentary type of forward (a very good one) than a true playmaking driver.

I think Leonard's learning how to be "the guy" on a line for the first time in several years. He's been creating tons of chances so I'm not worried.

 

[Wieters]

I think one takeaway is that BC does not have the offensive firepower of last season. Not only did Smith leave, but also Gauthier. Having both of them gave the lineup so much more depth and firepower. Hagens can replace one of them, but the replacement for the other is basically two Freshman, Stiga and Letourneau, who are good players but not top 5 picks like Gauthier and Smith were.

This is true, but I do think it could change.

Through 15 games, BC has scored 49 goals this year versus 57 last year through the same amount of games. So yes, they are scoring fewer goals this year. There are a few reasons for that in my eyes.

For one, BC has played the most difficult schedule in college hockey. Seven of their fifteen games have been against teams that are in the top-ten in college hockey by average goals allowed per game (Michigan State x2, Maine x2, Western Michigan, and St. Cloud x2). So they haven't had many cupcake games to rack up points.

Another reason for the slower start is because when Smith/Leonard/Perreault debuted in college last season, they came in with established chemistry in a way that is pretty rare in the NCAA. That likely resulted in more immediate production than you would expect from college freshmen. Hagens did not have that history with Leonard/Perreault.

BC is also a very good team defensively this season. They haven't given up a single goal on the PK all season (the only team in the NCAA to do that), and they have given up 28 goals this year versus 34 last year. So they're just playing in lower scoring games and don't get into as many shootouts.

I think once we get into the second half of the season, you'll see the scoring production go up, which should help Leonard/Perreault in their cases for the Hobey and Hagens in his for the 1OA.

 

[Cush]

 

[wickedwitch]

The PP assist is gorgeous. Obviously, the sauce on the pass itself was amazing, but the way he created space for Perreault was also noteworthy.

 

[hockeykicker]

 

[Melkor]

So give me an update on the dude? Seems like the season is not as productive for him as people expected.

 

[43sfriends]

He looks like Oshie light to me, doesn't have the high end puck skills but definitely more of a pest. Can't stay on his feet like Oshie too but it doesn't stop him from being effective.

 

[Random Comment]

He looks like Oshie light to me, doesn't have the high end puck skills but definitely more of a pest. Can't stay on his feet like Oshie too but it doesn't stop him from being effective.

That would be disappointing. I have him performing much better stat wise.

 

[Dr John Carlson]

I don't see the Oshie comparisons at all. The only similarities are his nationality, handedness, and the team he was drafted to.

 

[wetcoast]

I think Leonard's learning how to be "the guy" on a line for the first time in several years. He's been creating tons of chances so I'm not worried.

I think that the Capitals got a steal with Leonard as he is going to be an excellent long time top 6 NHL player.

He is just a complete player and brings so much to the table even if he deosn't have sexy stats.

I think that the Capitals have the best pipeline that no one is talking about.

 

[wetcoast]

I don't see the Oshie comparisons at all. The only similarities are his nationality, handedness, and the team he was drafted to.

Player comps generally suck and while Oshie is more physical I wouldn't be surprised if Leonard turn out as the better overall player.