NHL Power Forwards of the Future (under-23)

noncents

Registered User
Feb 25, 2022
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For the Rangers, it's Will Cuylle.

This guy has been on a heater to start the season, with 6g 8a and +14 in 17 games. All 14 at even strength, in less than 14min per game. Oh yeah, kid is 6'3 212 and has 72 hits, 6th in the league. How are ya?

The shooting percentage will go down but his overall game is a throwback and he was bringing it last year as well until he hit a late season wall. Didn't hear about him as much as Id expected.

For example I look at a guy like Knies who people have absolutely raved about - i don't think he's that much better if at all than Cuylle. Certainly he's had more opportunity, and he's been on a line with elite producers to pump up his numbers. But when you look at what people says Knies is, a "modern power forward," they're just describing Cuylle's game to a T. plus you'd never see him get blown up like he did by Whitecloud or embarrassed like by Bennett. He's gotten his share of whoopings and he takes his lumps, but never looks so wimpy.

Who's the young buck people don't know about on your team yet who plays with power and physicality? Who are the next generation of this dying breed of player in the NHL?
 
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SnowblindNYR

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Nov 16, 2011
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Wanted to start a "guy no one knows about on your team that they should" and mention Cuylle. lol

But honestly, I just wanted to brag about Cuylle.

Amazing how badly we screwed up the 7 overall pick but ended up getting good value for the pick we get back, late in the 2nd round.
 
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Golden_Jet

Registered User
Sep 21, 2005
26,274
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For the Rangers, it's Will Cuylle.

This guy has been on a heater to start the season, with 6g 8a and +14 in 17 games. All 14 at even strength, in less than 14min per game. Oh yeah, kid is 6'3 212 and has 72 hits, 6th in the league. How are ya?

The shooting percentage will go down but his overall game is a throwback and he was bringing it last year as well until he hit a late season wall. Didn't hear about him as much as Id expected.

For example I look at a guy like Knies who people have absolutely raved about - i don't think he's that much better if at all than Cuylle. Certainly he's had more opportunity, and he's been on a line with elite producers to pump up his numbers. But when you look at what people says Knies is, a "modern power forward," they're just describing Cuylle's game to a T. plus you'd never see him get blown up like he did by Whitecloud or embarrassed like by Bennett. He's gotten his share of whoopings and he takes his lumps, but never looks so wimpy.

Who's the young buck people don't know about on your team yet who plays with power and physicality? Who are the next generation of this dying breed of player in the NHL?
Do any of them drop the gloves,
Best PF usually has skill, hits and fights

But “modern” power forward, seems doesn’t include the fighting aspect.
 
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Rodgerwilco

Entertainment boards w/ some Hockey mixed in.
Feb 6, 2014
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The Pens don't even have a power forward, let alone a really good power forward under 23 lol.
 

jfhabs

Registered User
May 21, 2015
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Do any of them drop the gloves,
Best PF usually has skill, hits and fights

But “modern” power forward, seems doesn’t include the fighting aspect.
Cuylle can drop the gloves I think.
For me the modern power forward doesn't have to include fighting it's more about being big, playing north-south and creating a bunch of space for your teammates.

For the Habs, that would be Slafkovsky. I think Dach could end up being that as well if he stays on the wing.
 

Golden_Jet

Registered User
Sep 21, 2005
26,274
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Cuylle can drop the gloves I think.
For me the modern power forward doesn't have to include fighting it's more about being big, playing north-south and creating a bunch of space for your teammates.

For the Habs, that would be Slafkovsky. I think Dach could end up being that as well if he stays on the wing.
Ya for the new “modern” PF, I would agree.
But I feel it changes the definition of what a PF was known for.
 

Ace Card Bedard

Back in Black, Red, and White
Feb 11, 2012
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The other Dach, Colton.
No guarantee he ever becomes an NHL regular at this point but he certainly appears to have the PF game. Uses his size and strength very well.

Currently in Rockford of the AHL.
 

CowbellConray

Registered User
Sep 8, 2010
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Not so physical, but I think by 25/26 Dylan Cozens will be a prototypical new NHL PF. He just has too many raw tools not to be, and when he wants to be physical he can be. He had a great goal (called back) where he buried his man down low, cycled the puck to the point and then went to the net and jammed a rebound home.
 
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HuGo Sham

MR. CLEAN-up ©Runner77
Apr 7, 2010
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Montreal
Slafkovsky . I know the regular cast of anti-habs trolls will emerge t refute this, but he's 6'3, 225, has started to use his body and hit and will fight when necessary.
 
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Golden_Jet

Registered User
Sep 21, 2005
26,274
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Oh no, today's power forwards don't do this completely useless thing.
Ya oh no, its a physical game, and players get angry when certain events take place in a game.
That’s why it’s the new “modern” PF
There’s only a few PF’s (not modern PF’s)
 

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