beepeearr
@beepeearr
Same number of points but Janmark played 6 fewer games. Janmark also scored 15 goals to Nichushkin's 9. Then in the playoffs one player had a stat line of 12GP 2-3-5Pts; the other's was 10GP 0-1-1Pt.
Regarding Spezza, if memory serves Nichushkin got more chances with Spezza early but due to ineffectiveness got moved around the lineup trying to find the right spot for him. Janmark had more time with Spezza because the line played well when they were together and so the coaching staff stayed with it.
Yeah that was while Ruff was trying to move Nuke over to the LW, who prefers RW, and Sharp at RW who plays better at LW. But yeah Im not saying he didnt look rough last year, especially at the beginning, he was definitely off. He had just missed almost all of the previous year though, on top of playing his off wing. More time early only lasted a few games, he was demoted fairly early, and yeah he deserved it, he kept getting blindsided with big hits game after game, and wasnt using his size at all, you didnt seem him crashing to to the net at all. He looked off most of the year. Thats kind of my point though, Nuke playing badly, with a bad shooting percentage (down by 4 points from his rookie season), and spending a bunch of time in the bottom 6 still put up ok points.
Honestly he would have been better off being able to play in the AHL instead of trying to develop at the NHL level all along, but his KHL contract wouldn't allow it, something else he gets blamed for, but was beyond his control. Look how many other players struggle to play in the NHL in their teens and early 20s. Most dont even make the league until around 22-23. I think I would give him another season or even two before saying he's a bust.