Glad he's back even though he can be frustrating. Really liked his physical game in the last part of the season. Be interested to see how good he can be with a new contract motivating him and maybe some consistent linemates.
I'm gonna get some slack, but I believe that A.K. was our best forward last season.
I definitely where you're coming from with this... But I'd say Pleks was 1st, AK 2nd.
For the first 15 games of the season, AK was with Pleks and Cammy and got a point a game. Then he was moved to ignite Gomez, stayed there for the most part of 40 games, did nothing for 40 games. Then he was moved to Eller's line, where he produced (don't have numbers, but I'd bet it's above 0.7 points/game), and back on Pleks where he produced again.
And he still got 45 points... I am very confident he would have gotten to 60 points if he had not spent half the year rotting with G-Love... While displaying his more consistent effort and physical play, as he shown us this year... which would make him a clear 1st line player to me.
EDIT and as most people will admit, 45 points and physical play at 3.25 millions EASIY slots you on most teams' 2nd line... AK is not a great player, but he's a very valuable one and has a reasonable contract in this cap era. I'd rathr have AK with Pleks or Gomez than players like Rupp who played with Malkin for a while...
Why do people insist on putting AK on the 2nd line?
He's a dominant 3rd liner. He racks up more point with 14 minutes of 3rd line icetime than 19-20 of 2nd line icetime.
What we want is maximize goal differential, and AK is at his best while facing weaker players, not being a defensive liability. Let more balanced players like a real top 6 handle the opposition's top guns. 'cause he can't.
Why do people insist on putting AK on the 2nd line?
He's a dominant 3rd liner. He racks up more point with 14 minutes of 3rd line icetime than 19-20 of 2nd line icetime.
What we want is maximize goal differential, and AK is at his best while facing weaker players, not being a defensive liability. Let more balanced players like a real top 6 handle the opposition's top guns. 'cause he can't.
This.
If we can add a top 6 winger, it will make our top 9 amazing with AK playing with Eller and Moen.
Cammalleri-Plekanec-Top6 (Laich for example)
Gionta-Gomez-Pacioretty
Moen-Eller-Kostitsyn
Darche-Desharnais-Pouliot/White/Pyatt
Markov-Gorges
Gill-Subban
Wisniewski-Emelin
Weber
Price
Auld/UFA
Somehow trade Spacek to a team.
That would be an awesome team. Great depth. One of the best defense in the East.
I thought that from about the 60 game mark on, AK started to play like a complete player. This is a good signing imo.
i'd say from game 50, but my thoughts exactly. im very happy to have him back, if not for his on ice skills, then for his trademarked smile after a goal and his post-game interviews
Great signing Gauthier the Habs are going to rock this winter,by the All-Star game we can bring up some of the Prospects from Hamilton to get experience in the NHL.
I think that if he does not pan out by Christmas time, he will be dealt to another team for prospects and help on defense, especially if Palushaj, Kristo or Avstin pan out in Hamilton before expected.
I think we really have room to improve our team, we need bigger forwards with grit and need to re-sign Markov and Gorges a.s.a.p. along with the likes of Pacioretty, Desharnais and White up front.
I don't see Pouliot playing here next season and we should trade him at the draft and PLEASE DO NOT RE-SIGN DARCHE THIS SEASON!!!
Looking forward to June 24th (draft) and then September ;-)
Good signing! AK is the one forward with the most potential on this team. If JM can stop screwing with his head, AK could be dynamite for us. Worst case scenario (which is really good) is that he would play on the 3rd line with Eller and DD and someone like Jagr would play on the 1st. This way, you spread the offensive on 3 differents lines :
Cammalleri-Plekanec-Jagr (potential of 65-80 pts per player line)
Pacciorety-Gomez-Gionta (potential of 45-60 pts per player line)
DD-Eller-AK (potential of 40-55 pts per player line)
