GDT: Game 50 @ Predators 5pm

[Lebanezer]

Who has developed this year? Like honestly who has gotten better as the year has gone on?

Smith hasn't, Celebrini looks basically the exact same as he did in his first few games, none of our defenders have improved, if anything our defense is starting to slide backwards. None of our vets have improved, except maybe someone like Kunin looks better this year compared to last.

I agree development is the name of the game right now, but that is why I am not really pleased with what I am seeing from Warsofsky thus far, because to me, no one is noticeably progressing or developing on this team, and if anything this team is getting worse not better as the year has gone on.

I fail to see how the objective you are putting so much stock in, is actually being delivered this year.

It's such an odd thing to see players be put in a position to fail, fail, then be replaced by older players with no real significant potential, who are as bad, or in most cases worse and the organization act like they gave them a chance or care about development.

 

[hohosaregood]

I'd say Ferraro, Eklund, and Smith have developed the most this season. Zetterlund's fallen off the most. Celebrini is great already and is clearly going through the learning process. Thrun bounces up and down a lot.

There's not really anybody else to develop there. Cardwell and Graf look like they'll take spots next year though. And honestly pretty disappointed by Gushchin's season since he's been sent down.

 

[OrrNumber4]

It's such an odd thing to see players be put in a position to fail

This is the heart of the issue. What's considered being put in a position to fail/succeed? How much is on the player or management? What's reasonable to expect of a young player, and what's fair to expect of a rebuilding/contending team?

replaced by older players with no real significant potential, who are as bad, or in most cases worse

But this might be the team not wanting a young player being overwhelmed/steamrolled. E.g., send Thompson to the AHL where he can work on his game, and let Rutta get slammed in the NHL.

 

[Anomie2029]

I'd say Ferraro, Eklund, and Smith have developed the most this season. Zetterlund's fallen off the most. Celebrini is great already and is clearly going through the learning process. Thrun bounces up and down a lot.

There's not really anybody else to develop there. Cardwell and Graf look like they'll take spots next year though. And honestly pretty disappointed by Gushchin's season since he's been sent down.

 

[weastern bias]

Who has developed this year? Like honestly who has gotten better as the year has gone on?

Smith hasn't, Celebrini looks basically the exact same as he did in his first few games

Just an incorrect opinion, both top picks have CLEARLY improved as the season has progressed

 

[Star Platinum]

Who has developed this year? Like honestly who has gotten better as the year has gone on?

Smith hasn't, Celebrini looks basically the exact same as he did in his first few games, none of our defenders have improved, if anything our defense is starting to slide backwards. None of our vets have improved, except maybe someone like Kunin looks better this year compared to last.

I agree development is the name of the game right now, but that is why I am not really pleased with what I am seeing from Warsofsky thus far, because to me, no one is noticeably progressing or developing on this team, and if anything this team is getting worse not better as the year has gone on.

I fail to see how the objective you are putting so much stock in, is actually being delivered this year.

I think Smith has gotten better. Celebrini was already good and now he's having to adjust to what teams are doing to slow him down. The guys on defense are not really guys we are developing, but I will say Ferraro has gotten much steadier than he was at the beginning of the year. The only guy that has gotten significant minutes on defense that was someone we could develop is Liljegren and honestly, I can see why Toronto gave up on him, though not necessarily for the reason their fans said. I don't see him getting physically overwhelmed as much as I see him be careless with the puck and unaware of where he needs to be defensively at times. But as a 3rd pairing RD for next year, I'm fine with him. Ceci, Thrun, Rutta, and Walman just are what they are IMO - Walman's production is due more to having more opportunity here than he did in Detroit.

The part that frustrates me with the coaching is that you would think guys would get more cohesive over time and I don't really think that's true. The forwards don't come back to support the defense consistently when they need to, somebody doesn't cover for defenders when they pinch, and we just don't look cohesive bringing the puck up the ice. To me, those are coaching issues.

 

[Anomie2029]

"Ferraro has been getting much steadier than he was at the beginning of the year" and "Thrun is just what he is" is amazing.

Net rating courtesy of Hockey Stat Cards:

 

[Pinkfloyd]

Development in a rookie season isn’t always about getting better. It’s also about experiencing adversity. It’s 50 games into this team forging a new identity through young players and a young coach. Just let it all wash over you and enjoy the game. They may be the worst in the league still but you can see the potential there with Celebrini, Eklund, Smith, and Askarov. They just need time.