Armourboy
Hey! You suck!
Yeah that means I'd trust most of our opinions here before his any day of the week.He's a local blogger that is now the Tennessean Pred's beat writer.
Yeah that means I'd trust most of our opinions here before his any day of the week.He's a local blogger that is now the Tennessean Pred's beat writer.
Tommy Novak, 26, is a skilled playmaker who had 18 goals and 27 assists last season. He's not overly physical and doesn't have top-end speed, but his vision in the offensive zone complements the goal-scoring talent of Stamkos and Marchessault.
Colton Sissons, 30, is a dependable two-way center who had 15 goals and 20 assists last season. More of an anchor than a catalyst for offense, Sissons wins face-offs and secures puck possession better than most.
Cody Glass, 24, plays center, but struggled to overcome injuries last season. He's likely fighting for a roster spot on this suddenly stacked Predators team.
...but it would indeed be nice if Parssinen and Novak at least had a shot at it. Then Sissons could still be anchoring some of the other young talent on a separate good line.
Of course, we're already kind of writing off Glass... but it if he somehow sticks around and bounces back, I guess he'd be a candidate too.
I don't know, these last playoffs really made me wonder if Novak hasn't sort of hit his plateau? I mean, it's already pretty amazing what he accomplished going from an after-thought minor league deal to gradually working his way up to this $3.5M contract. But he's 27 and I'm not sure how much more room for "big leaps" he could possibly have left?I think Novak takes the second line center spot and surprises everyone. He’s elevated his play every season so far, and he’ll make another big leap this coming year playing with top end talent.
Yeah, I agree. He's an okay regular season player but when the going gets tough in the playoffs, he's borderline useless. He's a decent stop-gap solution at 2C while we seek for the final solution, though.I don't know, these last playoffs really made me wonder if Novak hasn't sort of hit his plateau? I mean, it's already pretty amazing what he accomplished going from an after-thought minor league deal to gradually working his way up to this $3.5M contract. But he's 27 and I'm not sure how much more room for "big leaps" he could possibly have left?![]()
I am hoping that at some point during the season, Evangelista will overtake Nyquist on the top line. Nyquist had a fantastic year last year, but I don't see him replicating that plus he's on UFA next summer so he's on the outs with the team anyways.To play devil's advocate Novak was playing with a rookie and a rotating cast of tweener types. I think he could do really well if he were paired with guys who can help carry the load a bit.
As far as the whole lineup goes. If we go with something like Forsberg-O'Reilly-Nyquist and Stamkos-Novak-Marchesseault then that sort of leaves Evangelista, Parssinen, etc. in a tough spot. I hope we take more of a top nine approach and then let Sissons anchor a shutdown type of line.
Eeli Tolvanen played 2 seasons for Taylor. He was #5 in scoring for Seattle last season with 16 G 25 A in 81 GP.Taylor isn’t. Outside of Evangelista, show me a top 6 talent he’s developed.
While he’s had a good run in Milwaukee by wins/losses, that doesn’t mean he’s producing higher end NHL quality players.
I like the top 9 approach. After the top 6 we still have guys like Tomasino, Parssinen and Evangelista + of course Jankowski and Sissons who can round out the 3rd line. It's a bit of a puzzle, sure, but in the end a positive problem how to utilize everyone.To play devil's advocate Novak was playing with a rookie and a rotating cast of tweener types. I think he could do really well if he were paired with guys who can help carry the load a bit.
As far as the whole lineup goes. If we go with something like Forsberg-O'Reilly-Nyquist and Stamkos-Novak-Marchesseault then that sort of leaves Evangelista, Parssinen, etc. in a tough spot. I hope we take more of a top nine approach and then let Sissons anchor a shutdown type of line.
I don't think that's going to work. We really only have one player (Forsberg) who can carry his own line. The other top guys need help in order to succeed. That's why it's best to put the best players with each other and fill out the rest of the lineup accordingly.If Sissons manages to get pushed to the 4th line, id like to split up the 30+ goal scorers (Stamkos, forsberg, and Marchessault) and have 1 per line.
Forsberg ROR Nyquist
Stamkos Novak xxxxx
Marchessault Pärssinen xxxx
Smith Sissons xxxx
Then fit in Evangelista, Tomasino, McCarron or whoever. 3 balanced lines that should have some good offensive pop and create some matchup issues including a 4th line that has offensive upside as well.
Assuming the Stamkos-at-center experiment fails anyway. I'm assuming it does. But I'm also assuming the Preds coaches will at least try it.I don't think that's going to work. We really only have one player (Forsberg) who can carry his own line. The other top guys need help in order to succeed. That's why it's best to put the best players with each other and fill out the rest of the lineup accordingly.
Top-six should no matter what be something like this:
Forsberg - ROR - Nyquist
Stamkos - Novak/Pärssinen - Marchessault