I find it interesting that Larsson's +/- is so much better than either Zucker's or Coyle's.
For those of you that have had the opportunity to watch Coyle at all, how is he doing? His stats are not all that impressive this year. Is he just going through a rough time?
Coyle started off the year insanely hot, then went through a terrible slump when Granny was injured, had a really nice last week though. He's been picking it up a bit. Remember, he's still a 20 year old in his first pro season, and was never a big scorer in college.
Coyle started off the year insanely hot, then went through a terrible slump when Granny was injured, had a really nice last week though. He's been picking it up a bit. Remember, he's still a 20 year old in his first pro season, and was never a big scorer in college.
Yes. Coyle is probably going to be a 25/25 guy who adds size to a top-6 line made up of more skilled players. Which is good because every good team needs those players. But people who were projecting him as a 30/40 1st liner were stretching him a little bit. That was never really his game, despite his nubmers in the Q.
That said, Coyle-Granlund-Zucker could be a fantastic 2nd line if those three ever get going at the NHL level.
I see Coyle panning out to be like a Jordan Staal to Chris Stewart type of player. Big guy who can play a physical game but isn't running around, had the hands and wheels to play top six but not elite offensive talent, and plays a two-way type of game. Not sure yet of his playmaking, but that aspect of his game could be underrated.
25/25 is a safe call, but he could end up potting more goals or making more assists. I also could see one of those crazy 40+ goal years in him, where it's kind of a statistical everything going his way type of years.
Looks like Johan Gustafsson made Sweden's Oddset Hockey Games roster. Will be interesting to see if he'll be able to compete for a WHC spot, third goalie's spot shouldn't be completely out of question.
I find it interesting that Larsson's +/- is so much better than either Zucker's or Coyle's.
For those of you that have had the opportunity to watch Coyle at all, how is he doing? His stats are not all that impressive this year. Is he just going through a rough time?
He has done well. As well as anyone except Zucker.
His strengths are protecting the puck along the boards, cycling, and scoring around the net. He has decent hands. He is also good defensively but I would say his first two steps are average which prevents him being more of a threat, both offensively and on the backcheck.
I still think his game is better suited for the NHL.
As with the Aeros, his game slipped when Brodin and Granlund got hurt. Brodin and Scandella were the engine that got the puck to that top line. And when Fontaine, Palmer, Connelly, etc. were injured, his line could not generate anything.
Long story short, I am pleased with where he is. He is not going to be a huge threat on the rush (like Zucker is able to do in the AHL). His goals are going to come from the cycle, screening/tipping in goals, and on the PP.
I see Coyle panning out to be like a Jordan Staal to Chris Stewart type of player. Big guy who can play a physical game but isn't running around, had the hands and wheels to play top six but not elite offensive talent, and plays a two-way type of game. Not sure yet of his playmaking, but that aspect of his game could be underrated.
25/25 is a safe call, but he could end up potting more goals or making more assists. I also could see one of those crazy 40+ goal years in him, where it's kind of a statistical everything going his way type of years.
I still have him as a (potential) 30-30 guy, if he settles in as the 3rd option on a top line, as I hope he evenutally ends up on the right side of a Koivu/Parise line. He'll produce on that line just by being there, and his skill set doesn't take anything off of the table.
Looks like Johan Gustafsson made Sweden's Oddset Hockey Games roster. Will be interesting to see if he'll be able to compete for a WHC spot, third goalie's spot shouldn't be completely out of question.
I'd be very interested to see how he does outside of Luleå's very defense-oriented system.
Personally, it has been hard to judge a player without getting to see them play, and i have not had that opportunity with Coyle yet.
It is good to hear that those of you who know more about him still have him in high regards.
If he turns into a 25/25 second line mainstay, I would be ecstatic. I personally love Jordan Staal, so I'm sold.
He has always sounded intriguing. I hope he continues to develop well.
I don't necessarily disagree with the point projections (just more goals than assists) but I don't think he plays like Staal at all. I have not watched as many PIT/CAR games as I used to but used to watch 40-50 PIT games a season when Crosby, Malkin, and Staal first started.
Their speed is similar at the same age and they are both good on the wall. I think Jordan's defensive awareness was much higher at the same age, had a longer reach, and a better shot. However, I think Coyle is better along the wall in the cycle and just as good at cleaning up in front of the net.
One thing that makes Coyle more valuable to us right now his he is really the only right handed prospect that is projected to slot into the top 6.
Last edited by Jbcraig1883: 01-28-2013 at 01:37 PM.
Just wondering everyone's opinion on a guy that rarely gets talked about. Justin Fontaine was second on the team last year with 55 points in 73(?) games if I remember correct. And he's got 25 points in 31 this year at Houston. I don't really know who his linemates are or anything but for a guy who is really producing quite well, he doesn't get talked about a whole lot. I had the privilege of watching him a lot in his senior year at UMD when he was on the infamous FCC line with Jack (Farjiestad) and Mike (Lake Erie-AHL) Connolly and he produced a lot of points then as well. It seems like he is kind of flying under the radar and nobody is really mentioning how he's really performing better than I think anyone expected for a college FA.
Also, Zucker looks like he really benefitted from his brief stint with the Wild last year. He's playing with a confidence you rarely see in such young guys. I'm excited to see him up with the Wild soon. I think he and Granlund played really well together in Houston maybe that could translate to the big club as well.
And it's good to see Coyle looking like he's getting back on track after a ridiculously hot start and then a slump while Granlund was gone.
Just wondering everyone's opinion on a guy that rarely gets talked about. Justin Fontaine was second on the team last year with 55 points in 73(?) games if I remember correct. And he's got 25 points in 31 this year at Houston. I don't really know who his linemates are or anything but for a guy who is really producing quite well, he doesn't get talked about a whole lot. I had the privilege of watching him a lot in his senior year at UMD when he was on the infamous FCC line with Jack (Farjiestad) and Mike (Lake Erie-AHL) Connolly and he produced a lot of points then as well. It seems like he is kind of flying under the radar and nobody is really mentioning how he's really performing better than I think anyone expected for a college FA.
Yeah, he's 25 years old. He should be given a chance to show what he's got in the big boys' show. He's got a good shot and he's able to produce quite well in Houston. Can't be worse than Cullen.
That being said, I don't see it happening unless there are a lot of injuries. Zucker and Coyle are the first call-ups, then comes either Larsson or Fontaine. So he's 3rd or 4th in the call-up list, depending on positional needs.
Also, call me crazy but Dennis Endras could be the answer to our goaltending issues.
Yeah, he's 25 years old. He should be given a chance to show what he's got in the big boys' show. He's got a good shot and he's able to produce quite well in Houston. Can't be worse than Cullen.
That being said, I don't see it happening unless there are a lot of injuries. Zucker and Coyle are the first call-ups, then comes either Larsson or Fontaine. So he's 3rd or 4th in the call-up list, depending on positional needs.
Also, call me crazy but Dennis Endras could be the answer to our goaltending issues.
Seems like Fontaine is doing well in Houston and well-liked by the coaches, but not sure he gets a chance behind Zucker, Coyle, and Larsson. I think he'll eventually get a shot at the NHL but probably not with the Wild. And by "get a shot" I mean a 4th line cup of coffee to see if he can prove himself (which rarely happens because those guys are given such a short leash).
Prospect update with some things discussed here (Gustafsson's Oddset Games gig), some not (Seeler getting das boot for head-butting) and other interesting stuff.
__________________
Blog: First Round Bust: A Cast of Thousands celebrating a rather dodgy track record of Minnesota Wild Drafting.
"Will beats skill when skill doesn't have enough will."
-Doug Woog
Philips is playing well, lots of shots on net--great work ethic, typical skilled guy that you have to be patient with, been playing the wing last two games.
whats going on with Brett Bulmer. He looked like he was NHL Ready last season.
been injured a good chunk of the season. knee.
other than that...don't know. there was a quote from Torch saying Bulmer was what they were missing in the lineup but it clearly wasn't for his stats...i think he does what he's supposed to.
people are just down mostly because he has some offensive upside he hasn't shown.
I find it interesting that Larsson's +/- is so much better than either Zucker's or Coyle's.
For those of you that have had the opportunity to watch Coyle at all, how is he doing? His stats are not all that impressive this year. Is he just going through a rough time?
For a 20 year old AHL rookie?
I'm gonna take the "power forwards are slow to develop" tack here. The dude will score 20+ goals in his first pro season. Not too shabby.
I'd be much more worried about Bulmer at this point.
