Friedman: Predators looking for a center

[BKarchitect]

I don’t understand why Novak doesn’t get a long leash or more true top six minutes. Is his play away from the puck that bad? He’s a high-level producer in mediocre minutes - is that just who he is always going to be…a guy who loses impact or has too many deficiencies when he gets a bigger load?

 

[beardawg]

I don’t understand why Novak doesn’t get a long leash or more true top six minutes. Is his play away from the puck that bad? He’s a high-level producer in mediocre minutes - is that just who he is always going to be…a guy who loses impact or has too many deficiencies when he gets a bigger load?

I think he's the kind of guy that thrives against a teams middle six, but if you're expecting him to go against Crosby, Mackinnon, McDavid, Barkov, etc.. he's invisible offensively and incapable of containing them defensively

 

[rt]

Schmaltz with retention for Carrier and some other asset?

 

[Fatass]

He takes the draw and immediately goes to the left wing

So centre defensive responsibility off the face off. That’s a centre.

 

[Kat Predator]

I don’t understand why Novak doesn’t get a long leash or more true top six minutes. Is his play away from the puck that bad? He’s a high-level producer in mediocre minutes - is that just who he is always going to be…a guy who loses impact or has too many deficiencies when he gets a bigger load?

He's got superior skills and can carry/move the puck when it's on his stick. He's got a sneaky good shot. So his offensive numbers look pretty good.

But, yeah, the rest of the stuff you need from an NHL centre, he can be a liability.

As far as load, our coaches seem to play favorites. Some players get exaggerated TOI and others, like Novak, get short changed. It's not always clear why that is exactly. Every player seems to come with a very different length leash.

 

[Soundgarden]

I don’t understand why Novak doesn’t get a long leash or more true top six minutes. Is his play away from the puck that bad? He’s a high-level producer in mediocre minutes - is that just who he is always going to be…a guy who loses impact or has too many deficiencies when he gets a bigger load?

Same reason Fabbro Tomasino and Parssinen are constantly benched, just Brunette things.

 

[Dotter]

Does anyone want Red Wings Joe Veleno (24 years old at $2.2m)? Marco Kasper has pushed out a center in Detroit. Copp would be available, but he's overpriced and doesn't have + value.

 

[OgeeOgelthorpe]

Andrew Copp 50% retained for a 2nd.

Please take him. PLEASE!

 

[BKarchitect]

I think some of these names are missing the mark. The Preds have plenty of middle 6 and bottom 6 options. Theres no reason for them to entertain the likes of Veleno or Copp.

 

[WolfOfBroadStreet14]

Flyers are short centers also but Frost seems to be on Torts Shit list again this year. He could be a fit.