Internal Bounce Back Candidates

[SirloinUB]

We have a number of players with contracts in place for this year and in some cases additional years. I'm just wondering who we think can bounce back from a tough year?

I think Copp is a good example that some of these Vets have more to give. He had a slow start in his 1st season with the Red wings but overall put together a decent year, a very rough 2nd season, and then bounced back in the 3rd season until a pec injury shut him down. I think the coaching change benefited Copp but he also played better himself.

Currently we have the following players who struggled or ran into injury trouble and I'm wondering who can bounce back. I put forward the question because I don't think it's realistic to expect all of these names to be gone this summer, so we will need one or more of these guys to be better next year. I'm looking at the following names:

• Andrew Copp: He had a solid year until his Pec injury, but based off his recovery timelines from his core muscle surgery, could a slow start be on the table?
• JT Compher: He was better than Copp in the 23-24 season but really struggled last year. He is only 30 so he should have some gas in the tank. Can he be better this year?
• Michael Rasmussen: He'll never live up to his draft slot but had 3 years right around the 15 goal, 30 point mark. 24-25 was arguably his worst hockey as a Red Wing.
• Vlad Tarasenko: He was a poor fit, and imo, a panic by Yzerman looking to add some depth scoring. Last summer was also a roller coaster for him with his father passing the same week he won the Stanley Cup with Florida. With a more focused summer, familiarity with the city/organization, could he bounce back?
• Justin Holl: Bounce back is probably generous given that he has never looked great but coming into a contract year and the narrative that follows him around, I would think he is highly motivated this summer.
• Erik Gustafsson: Possibly another panic move by Yzerman last summer, he's had an inconsistent career. He put up some good numbers at the World Championships.

I'm sure some of you would like to vote "no one", and prefer all of these guys are punted. It is a valid thought, but I left that option out of the poll because piling onto these guys isn't productive, nor an interesting conversation. Practically speaking, we need to bet on/keep some of these guys around because it's highly improbable that 6 players can be successfully jettisoned anyway.
Also, eternal negativity isn't my style

So, let's hear it, of this group, who would you bet on having a decent/bounce back year in 2025 - 2026?

 

[Frk It]

Tarasenko and Compher are the only guys I have any faith in possibly being better next year than they were this year. (Among this list)

 

[SirloinUB]

Tarasenko and Compher are the only guys I have any faith in possibly being better next year than they were this year. (Among this list)

Do you feel I excluded someone who should be on the list?

I debated Berggren and Mrazek as well. In Berggren's case he's never established himself so "bounce back" doesn't seem to fit. In Mrazek's case, he wasn't on the team so there is no scenario, barring a silly overpayment, where he is shipped out this summer.

I also find it interesting that you don't believe Rasmussen can be better. I know you were never a big fan and I'm guilty of chronically defending him but he had 3 consecutive seasons that were better than last year and at 26, he is still on the younger side of one's physical prime.

 

[Frk It]

Do you feel I excluded someone who should be on the list?

I debated Berggren and Mrazek as well. In Berggren's case he's never established himself so "bounce back" doesn't seem to fit. In Mrazek's case, he wasn't on the team and Yzerman, clearly, thinks he can be better demonstrated by the trade.

I also, find it interesting that you don't believe Rasmussen can be better. I know you were never a big fan and I'm guilty of chronically defending him but he had 3 consecutive seasons that were better than last year and at 26, he is still on the younger side of one's physical prime.

Not sure. Only person I thought about maybe adding was Talbot? Was quite a bit better for LA than he was for us this year. But he’s up there in age.

Rasmussen should be better. I’m pretty concerned about his minutes going down between two different coaches last year. Just not sure where his fit is. And yeah, he’s never done much for me. But I think you could make a case.

 

[SirloinUB]

Not sure. Only person I thought about maybe adding was Talbot? Was quite a bit better for LA than he was for us this year. But he’s up there in age.

Rasmussen should be better. I’m pretty concerned about his minutes going down between two different coaches last year. Just not sure where his fit is. And yeah, he’s never done much for me. But I think you could make a case.

Yea, it's hard to see a bounce back at 38. He was essentially "league average" so I'm almost more concerned about regression than a bounce back with him.

To be fair, Goalies often play later into their careers so maybe! Getting a solid 30-40 games out of him would be huge.

 

[Frk It]

Yea, it's hard to see a bounce back at 38. He was essentially "league average" so I'm almost more concerned about regression than a bounce back with him.

To be fair, Goalies often play later into their careers so maybe! Getting a solid 30-40 games out of him would be huge.

Yeah I mean the reality is we have two journeymen goalies in their mid-late 30’s. The door is going to be open for Cossa to get some games.

 

[jkutswings]

Do you feel I excluded someone who should be on the list?

Yzerman. I'm ready to be hurt again this summer.

 

[Run the Jewels]

If Copp gets bumped down to the 3C spot he could rebound with easier matchups.

 

[SirKillalot]

I voted Tarasenko and Gustafsson.
Tarasenko cause he just needs to be better.
Gustafsson a bit up and down, so up this year.

 

[SirloinUB]

Yzerman. I'm ready to be hurt again this summer.

That’s a fun spin on the conversation and we’d all love to see it

 

[Nut Upstrom]

My absolute last season having hope and faith that Ras can be more than he's showed so far.
He did seem to attack the net with the puck more this last season than years before... Maybe he's starting to figure some things out.

 

[izlez]

Went with Compher. He sucked last year but I think he has the abilities to find a role and contribute much more.

I think Copp and Rasmussen are pretty much what they were this season. Not the worst guys to have towards the bottom of the roster to help you win some games, but not gonna drastically increase their production.

Tarasenko and Gustafsson would be nice, but they've inspired nothing wearing a winged wheel

Holl, just ugh.

 

[Rzombo4 prez]

I could see Tank, Compher and Gustafsson playing better next year. I am one of the few that thought Gustafsson was largely fine after the coaching change, but had a truly brutal start to the year. I don't think we are parting ways with him until we know ASP is ready.

I think what you saw last year from Copp is probably his ceiling at this point in his career. Ras might be able to produce a bit more, but I think he is largely what he is at this point and is at the end of his development runway.

I have nothing to say about Holl

 

[RabidBadger]

I brought up Compher a couple weeks ago for this exact topic. He's generally been a steady performer so I have no plausible explanation for last year's performance. 23-24 Compher returning would be a nice boost to the team.

I'm hoping Larkin bounces back from his last quarter disappearing act.

 

[SirloinUB]

I brought up Compher a couple weeks ago for this exact topic. He's generally been a steady performer so I have no plausible explanation for last year's performance. 23-24 Compher returning would be a nice boost to the team.

I'm hoping Larkin bounces back from his last quarter disappearing act.

Larkin is a great option within the context of bouncing back. I excluded him because I don't think any of us believe his march is reflective of who he is. No doubt he has to be better, but that is implicit to me.

I think these iffy cases are more interesting because we all want change in the bottom/middle 6.

 

[SirloinUB]

I could see Tank, Compher and Gustafsson playing better next year. I am one of the few that thought Gustafsson was largely fine after the coaching change, but had a truly brutal start to the year. I don't think we are parting ways with him until we know ASP is ready.

I think what you saw last year from Copp is probably his ceiling at this point in his career. Ras might be able to produce a bit more, but I think he is largely what he is at this point and is at the end of his development runway.

I have nothing to say about Holl

I could convince myself any one of these guys are a bounce back candidate (not to say all of them will). That is probably too much optimism around these parts.

Even Holl That dude has to know he is staring down the barrel of the end of his career. Gotta figure he'll be highly motivated. Admittedly, that might not be enough.

 

[Steve Yzerlland]

I could convince myself any one of these guys are a bounce back candidate (not to say all of them will). That is probably too much optimism around these parts.

Even Holl That dude has to know he is staring down the barrel of the end of his career. Gotta figure he'll be highly motivated. Admittedly, that might not be enough.

I think we buy out Holl this summer. An extra 2 million might get us a real NHL player this time.

 

[SirloinUB]

I think we buy out Holl this summer. An extra 2 million might get us a real NHL player this time.

I think its the right call. Possibly Tarasenko as well.

Run the rest back.

 

[wingsfannnn9191]

You forgot a none of the above option

 

[SirloinUB]

You forgot a none of the above option

You forgot to read the OP

 

[13to40]

I think Tarasenko is moved before the start of the next season.

Copp is what he is: defensively responsible, vanilla player. As fans we found out the hard way how important he was to this team when he was absent from the line up.

Compher is never going to be more than a speedy 200’ player. Kind of like Copp but with a better set of wheels and I think a bit more skill.

Gustafsson’s performance at the world’s hopefully isn’t tricking anyone in thinking that he is more than what we already witnessed last season. He has some offensive abilities and is solid on the PP. Will never be good 5on5; too fragile of a build.

Holl’s bounce back I guess would be getting bought out. Only way he is of value to this team: if he isn’t on it.

Which leaves the big friendly Moose left…

Ras has showed glimpses of hope over the past few seasons. Hopefully, hopefully, hopefully (I’ll say it one more time), hopefully he finally breaks out. Don’t need him to be anything more than a 20/20 player. Stick him in front of the net on PP2. Make him play the Holmstrom roll. Utilize his size. I don’t think he will ever be the power forward as once Hoped, but then again a full season with Todd behind the bench, maybe he isn’t given a chance.

 

[Run the Jewels]

Ras has showed glimpses of hope over the past few seasons. Hopefully, hopefully, hopefully (I’ll say it one more time), hopefully he finally breaks out. Don’t need him to be anything more than a 20/20 player. Stick him in front of the net on PP2. Make him play the Holmstrom roll. Utilize his size. I don’t think he will ever be the power forward as once Hope, but then again a full season with Todd behind the bench, maybe he isn’t given a chance.

This shows a stunning lack of respect for Homer.

 

[JohanFranzenstein]

For the millionth time, I think Copp was great this past season, and the team fell apart without him. He's gonna continue to be a good shutdown 3C and penalty killer.

Personally banking Tank can put it together this offseason.

 

[SirloinUB]

This shows a stunning lack of respect for Homer.

View attachment 1043217

When you age adjust their numbers they actually compare well. To be clear, they're different players. Holmstrom's ability to dominate the net front, corners and win pucks laps Rasmussen's several times over. Rasmussen debuted at 19, Holmstrom at 23.

Holmstrom first 6 seasons: 206 points in 474 games for a 0.43 points/game
Rasmussen first 6 seasons: 140 points in 390 games for a 0.35 points/game

Rasmussen produced better at 24 years old than Holmstrom did at the same age while Ras played on significantly worse teams. Rasmussen put up better numbers in the NHL at 22 and 23 than Holmstrom put up in the SHL at 22 and 23. Holmstrom was 32 the first time he cracked 50 points. Holmstrom was 28 the first time he cracked 40 points, which is 2 years older than Rasmussen is now.

Development isn't linear and Ras absolutely needs to be better at puck battles but production wise they are much closer than one might think.

 

[Steve Yzerlland]

For the millionth time, I think Copp was great this past season, and the team fell apart without him. He's gonna continue to be a good shutdown 3C and penalty killer.

Personally banking Tank can put it together this offseason.

He was good i wouldn't say great. Still not worth his contract at all. They clearly missed his defensive game once he left though.