If he can hold onto the puck, continue to play with pace, not get too cute in his own zone, and work on his first couple steps of quickness, then he will definitely play next year. I think playing with Alexandrov is helping him, because he isn’t afraid to do or try anything with the puck. He may get creamed in the middle, but he will take the puck to the middle. Sometimes it works. Sometimes it don’t. Lately, he has been one of their best players. Providence (weekend foe) can play some defense and there just is no room on the ice, so you have to create it.
Dvo would unload it when he was pressured or slow things down like a 4th line forward. Now he is keeping it and looking for openings and moving. The dude can stick handle and weave the same at half speed and his top speed and not lose the puck. It’s a top 6 skill in his toolbag. Hopefully, he keeps doing it. Making far better passes and getting better looks. More like a center than a shooter on the wing, which I thought he may have to move to the way he was playing.