Doesn’t shoot, doesn’t hit. What’s aggressive about his game?
Everything else? He's an elite forechecker -- not because he stands at the high circle and tries to catch lobs... He spends a lot of time in the corners. And he closes in on the net. He doesn't just float on the perimeter, he constantly tries to push defensive structures inward and collapse them.
For me those two elements are pretty noteworthy though. I think when some people talk about redundancy, they don't mean style or approach. They mean role, or stage of development, or balance.
They're centers/maybe centers who are both 21 and really still learning the position despite their obvious talents. Neither one has quite grabbed the position and made it is his own yet.
They're also both guys who are more or less vying for the same roster spot as well --- second line center. Be it next season, or the year after, both guys are someone who eventually needs to be in a top six role. I can see that path for one of them, but not both. At some point, there's only so many opportunities for each of them to stake that claim on the same roster. Be it linemates or ice time or even powerplay opportunities, it's hard to give both of them the same chance --- especially at 21 going on 22. They're at that point where you have let one of them run with the opportunity a little bit and maybe have a veteran in place you can flip them with.
Both guys, despite their differences, are more inclined to be offensively-focused players --- that's their calling card. And while I don't think anyone wants to completely abandon offensive skill at the center position, I think there should be a desire to bring other things to the table as well --- experience, balance, etc.
I think when people talk about redundancy it's more about role and supporting the needs for Chytil/Thomas to take that next step, and whether you can do that with both guys, at the same time, while looking at what is already in place on the roster and what is still needed.
In Thomas' case, there's the added factor of having to give up assets to even get him --- and likely very good assets at that. So are we going to move valuable pieces, on top of some of the aspects I mentioned above?
It's really not a knock on Thomas at all. It just tends to feel like an either/or question for some of us.
Well, like I say, I get what you're saying--we just don't have very similar evaluations of Thomas, Chytil, or roles.
To me, Thomas is not a maybe center, nor is Chytil. They're also not competing for second line center, they're both vying for two top six center positions. One would play with Panarin, is that the 1C? Do they both need to play on the PP? I see Chytil as having much more potential as a penalty killer than as a power play guy. So each could be getting top 6 mins at 5v5 with one playing each side of special teams.
Once again, to me, adding Thomas is also a move made in preparation for trading Zibanejad and Strome. So maybe instead of finding a top six center that will cost a premium, (whether in trade or in cap space--or both), you pay that premium in the bottom six on deals that you can match up with bridges for Thomas and Chytil.
Yes, Thomas will cost a lot. I would think maybe Kravtsov + a D prospect. But what can you get back for Zibanejad? Strome? You can recoup some of those futures.
Of course it's not 'realistic' but for instance what about something like this:
Panarin - Chytil - Buchnevich
Lafreniere - Thomas - Kakko
Kreider - Kadri - Barron
Crouse - Cizikas - Gauthier/Howden
Thomas for Kravtsov
Kadri + futures for Zibanejad
Crouse for Strome
Sign Cizakas at a premium for 3 years, say 3X3.5
Sign Chytil at a low rate for 4 years, say 4X4
Sign Thomas at a bridge for 2 years, 2/3.5
