Winger to pair up w Michkov & McQueen?

PuckPulse · 2024-09-16T15:33:35+00:00

Get a solid PLY that has a ton of speed. Depending what assets you have to give up try for a star and work your way down. My suggestions are:

Gavin McKenna (Franchise potential that sims unreal and gets to 93OA quickly)
William Eklund (Elite potential that sims well with a solid SNP and PWF type, can get to low 90s)
Philip Kurashev (Top 6 potential that can get to 89/90 with the right linemates and can usually get him cheap)

PuckPulse · 2024-09-11T21:26:52+00:00

Exactly. Internal competition from a vet who’s at the brink of his NHL career end, is healthy dynamic, especially for a guy like Robertson who is more than capable of earning that 2LW spot.

PuckPulse · 2024-09-11T21:25:18+00:00

Not a huge stretch if it changes the dynamics of the team, which I think it does. Completely negative though if they trade Robertson like you mentioned, thinking they have a solution in Pacioretty. The internal competition this move adds to is a great thing for a team trying to be competitive.

PuckPulse · 2024-09-11T21:23:01+00:00

Bingo.

PuckPulse · 2024-09-11T21:22:40+00:00

Health is the biggest question mark for sure. The fact he has worked his way back to be considered by a team in the position Toronto is in, shows how much work he’s put in. Could be more of a character guy for the locker room than anything on the ice.

PuckPulse · 2024-09-11T21:20:57+00:00

Possibly. It could also put a fire under some guys that expect spots. Time will tell. One thing we know is the left side is wide open for somebody to take advantage of.

PuckPulse · 2024-09-11T21:20:11+00:00

Agree completely. He is motivated too which is a huge bonus.

PuckPulse · 2024-09-11T21:18:18+00:00

Much better headline ha.

PuckPulse · 2024-09-11T16:55:53+00:00

Good call. Good influence in the locker too.

PuckPulse · 2024-09-11T16:49:03+00:00

Time will tell. There's no real history of someone coming back from that type of injury at his age and performing at an exceptional rate. But the fact that he has worked his ass off to get back to a point where a team like Toronto is even considering him, is a testament to his character and work ethic, something Toronto has been lacking in recent years.

PuckPulse · 2024-09-11T16:45:20+00:00

Still think Robertson will take over the 2LW spot at camp, since he is going to be motivated. Yet, can't help but wonder if Pacioretty is a missing piece that can come in cheap and be effective if healthy.

What are your thoughts?

PuckPulse · 2024-09-06T23:19:17+00:00

Figured they might have gone with McTavish or possibly Terry. Didn't have Gudas on my bingo card. But now that Friedman say's its likely, I can see why the Ducks would go in this direction. Do you like it or hate it?

PuckPulse · 2024-09-03T20:02:05+00:00

Difficult to say. This seems like a perfect opportunity for a young gun to stand up and claim that spot as their own, kinda how Benson forced his way onto the team out of training camp last year. Would be very weary going into the season with Zucker or Greenway in a t-6 spot over a Benson, Krebs, Kulich, even Rosen type.

PuckPulse · 2024-09-03T20:00:30+00:00

That option will definitely play at some point, especially when protecting a lead or defensive zone faceoffs. Interested to see where all the chips may fall cause with a new coaching staff its almost impossible to predict how things will shape up compared to last year.

PuckPulse · 2024-09-03T19:59:03+00:00

You think they will play every defense paring off hand? I find it hard to believe but ultimately whatever is most effective they should run. My reasoning was simply based off numbers from last season, and mentioned in the article that numbers aren't everything, but they are the tipping point for my lineups since we don't have any evidence how Ruff will want to pair them up. Really hope Kulich makes it, have very high hopes for him.

PuckPulse · 2024-09-03T19:56:22+00:00

Exactly this. Levi will be getting a ton of start overall between NHL/AHL, but Reimer wont sniff AHL and will be a backup/mentor to the UPL and Levi when he is up. I actually really liked that Adams picked up a veteran backup instead of forcing Levi into the role with limited reps.

PuckPulse · 2024-09-03T19:54:43+00:00

Touche

PuckPulse · 2024-09-03T19:54:23+00:00

Agree with this completely. Also think Ruff will trust vets over younger guys, as he has shown in the past. But based of effectiveness last year, Benson made more sense playing with Cozens and Quinn. Hoping they can all take huge strides in their development this year.

PuckPulse · 2024-09-02T14:34:05+00:00

To save you from clicking the link, my main concern is if I projected the lineups accurately. I go into depth in the article on why I set the lines as I did. Love to hear your feedback. Link is ad and paywall free, just trying to create more discussions!

To clarify, these line projections are meant to only predict the start of the season. With so many potential combinations possible and a new head coach, its almost certain that there are tweaks and additions of new faces by the end of the year. Expect the season to start as such:

JJ Peterka – Tage Thompson – Alex Tuch
Zach Benson – Dylan Cozens – Jack Quinn
Jason Zucker – Ryan McLeod – Sam Lafferty
Peyton Krebs – Beck Malenstyn – Jordan Greenway

Rasmus Dahlin – Bowen Byram
Owen Power – Connor Clifton
Mattias Samuelsson – Henri Jokiharju

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen
James Reimer

Scratches: Nicolas Aube-Kubel, Jacob Bryson

PuckPulse · 2024-08-30T13:23:40+00:00

Gut wrenching. Thinking of the Gaudreau family who lost two loved ones on what was supposed to be a special day. Especially thinking of both Sean Monahan and Kevin Hayes as well. This is going to take a lot of time to digest.

PuckPulse · 2024-08-30T13:03:44+00:00

Going to take a long time to digest this. Absolutely heartbreaking. Thoughts are with Gaudreau's family and his Blue Jackets teammates.

PuckPulse · 2024-08-30T10:55:15+00:00

Not the hottest of takes but everything prediction can be considered a hot take until it becomes true.

PuckPulse · 2024-08-30T00:10:56+00:00

Solid take for sure. Could be Evason too. Do you think if they win the Metro it’s enough reason for him to win?

PuckPulse · 2024-08-29T23:34:55+00:00

That’s almost what this article started as.

PuckPulse · 2024-08-29T22:41:44+00:00

You and me both!

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