Just stop it. Carchidi is fine and is definitely timely. I'm as excited as Carchidi about seeing what this new "Legion of Dume" line can do. If Leclair can build on his momentum with the Canadiens, he may be a decent complement to Lindros.
If Weal ever hits 65 points I'll get his face tattooed on my ass.
Weak. Get his ass tattooed on your face or you're a *****.
They should have Patrick start out on the 2nd or 3rd line. Let him learn how to play good consistent two-way hockey. No need to put so much pressure on him right away. Let him grow into the role of the franchise player.
Funny to see Draisaitl with 9 points in his rookie year. Now he's PPG.
A few more interesting comps in their rookie year:
E Staal 11/20/31 (then was PPG in AHL the following year)
Lecavalier 13/15/28
Getzlaf 14/25/39 (57 games)
Joe Thornton had 3G and 4A in 55 games in his rookie year. I think he turned out ok.
Nolan needs a huge improvement in skating imo or he could very well plateau at Coots level.
I think his skating improvement will be the biggest crutch. He has the shot. The d smarts. Just needs the ability to create room
If he doesn't he doesn't have the playmaking to be a Thornton or Drai imo. Could be just another Coots defensively and on the boards..which isn't bad mind you..just not next level as a total player
Patrick is not Coots in skating. He can have a powerful burst in short distances, and he's got quicker feet in tight. Coots has trouble being flat footed and too upright. Draisaitl was someone who needed desperate work on his skating because it was bad. Patrick is starting from a higher baseline, and frankly, his skating should be better than Draisaitl's. It's his full stride that could use some work up-ice, lengthening his stride. And Couturier is actually a respectable skater in full flight, with his long stride, just takes him a while. He is excellent at zone entries. Patrick should only be so good at zone entries off the rush, while being more talented creating with them. Besides, Patrick was injured all season and it affected his skating and training.
And for all the talk about him being a goal scorer, maybe the best part of Patrick's game is his high IQ playmaking. Don't know where you got the impression his passing is not up to par. He does a masterful job of working in his teammates in transition or in zone, running give and go plays and the like. He's got really good vision and is a decisive and hard passer, rarely telegraphing anything. His feel for his teammates is outstanding.
No reason to be.
Chronic groin/abdominal area injuries for skaters is not to be completely dismissed. I hope he is OK. But the idea that he needed surgery in June could be a set back for training camp. We will find out soon enough.... I hope the new diagnosis is all that it was to have this issue get behind him.
For the first twenty games or so, I would be in favor of using him on the wing of Filppula's line just so the can get accustomed to the speed of the NHL game. Then move him over to center when he's adjusted his game.
Lindblom-G-Voracek
Weal-Couts-Simmer
Patrick-Flip-Konecny
Whoever-Whoever-Whoever
I don't want to see NP get overloaded with expectations by the League, Organization, teammates or fans. I'm least concerned with the organization here. Hextall can be relied upon to keep that in check. So will Hakstol; his ability to work with young players is why he was hired. The League may want another young star to join the Young Gun group that is coming up as well as the Hischier-Patrick Rivalry that it will want to promote but the Flyers should be able to control that. Its fan expectations that concern me the most.
when i started this thread i meant career wise, not so much this season.
That's an absurd prediction to make.
its not a prediction. its an expectation.
There's not really a difference. It's absurd to have an expectation.
Besides, last time you had an expectation for a player and it was wrong you ended up hating him out of revenge. Might be best for you to steer clear of expectations.
Lindros 2.0, but healthier. And with 6 cups.
Now that's just plain ridiculous. How can one player wear 6 cups?