Roy -- much the same as last year, but probably sticking right out of camp.
Vanek -- initially in Bartovic's 3rd line spot, perhaps a demotion to the AHL if his defensive game slips, and maybe playing his way onto the 2nd line at the midpoint.
I'd like to see Gaustad move to 4th line C with Mair* on one side, effectively pushing Roy up to #3 with Maxim on one side. Vanek can flank one of Drury's wings with Satan in the other side if he sticks around, so the two zone balance is there. I'm pretty sure that TV can fill it up 20+ times with ample PP time. I don't touch Hecht-Briere-Dumont. This leaves guys like Connolly, Pyatt, Grier and Peters to fill holes. I'm not sure what to do about Mair. I like the game he brings, but I'd just assume sacrifice him if we could secure a little more offensive punch. I'm not ready to commit to Pominville yet...
I'd like to see Gaustad move to 4th line C with Mair* on one side, effectively pushing Roy up to #3 with Maxim on one side.
This doesn't sound bad to me. I think it's about time Gaustad gets a shot with the checking line. Roy needs to further establish himself and Maxim needs to start being consistent.
Buffalo already has too many midgets up the middle. Roy would make a great LWer where he isn't worn down over the course of a season. HoweverI think Vanek needs to be on the top 2 lines....20-30 goals over the course of his rookie season. I'd like to see Gaustaud take a crack at 3rd line center, as I think he could contribute 30-40 points while being a good shutdown/faceoff guy.
Buffalo already has too many midgets up the middle. Roy would make a great LWer where he isn't worn down over the course of a season. HoweverI think Vanek needs to be on the top 2 lines....20-30 goals over the course of his rookie season. I'd like to see Gaustaud take a crack at 3rd line center, as I think he could contribute 30-40 points while being a good shutdown/faceoff guy.
Vanek should definitely be in the top 2 lines. Gaustad does deserve to be in Buffalo, although he certainly won't approach 30-40 points.
Vanek should be 30-20-50 on the 2nd line. I think a Vanek - Roy - Afinogenov line would be pretty damn interesting, though it could get a bit shaky defensively. Max showed me in 03-04 that he's improved with his defense, and his hustle down the ice to cover was definitely a good sign. Roy has always had 2-way potential, so he shouldn't be an issue.
Vanek should definitely be in the top 2 lines. Gaustad does deserve to be in Buffalo, although he certainly won't approach 30-40 points.
If he has two quaility wingers I don't see any reason why he couldn't. 10 goals, 20+ assists isn't an astromical figure for a 3rd line center, esp. if he gets a regular shift between two good wingers.
I see Roy as a possible surprise, either making a bigger splash or taking the lacksidasical version of himself back down the 90 to Rochester to start the year.
Vanek should displace someone in the top two lines, though if he comes to camp expecting to get prime minutes, he too could get the wakeup trip down to the War Memorial.
In a perfect world, where both make the team out of camp and produce to their abilities, I could see Vanek potting 20+ goals and seeing powerplay time varying based on the retention of Satan's services. In a perfect world Roy puts up Barnes-like numbers (15-18 goals, low 40's for points).
As for Gaustad, as much as I like the guy, I would settle for mid-teens in points with his usual tenacious forechecking, energy, solid PK and faceoff abilities, as well as being the large body down the middle.
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It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it. - Aristotle
Everyone is talking goals this year for Vanek. Who sees overall production increasing around the league, say perhaps back to a level when guys like Randy Wood were a 20 goal scorer? Under those conditions, a guy like Vanek could easily get 20 goals and not have much of a productive year.
Persaonlly, I'd like to see Vanek start out the year with a guy like Connolly on the second line, to see if he can get some magic going and spark that kid to life, maybe throw Pyatt on the other side. Maybe just try this in training camp.
Everyone is talking goals this year for Vanek. Who sees overall production increasing around the league, say perhaps back to a level when guys like Randy Wood were a 20 goal scorer?
I must be from Missouri, because when the league starts talking about increasing scoring, I can only think: "Show me." While hopeful, I will believe it when I see it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by jj@jj.com
Under those conditions, a guy like Vanek could easily get 20 goals and not have much of a productive year.
Very true.
Quote:
Originally Posted by jj@jj.com
Persaonlly, I'd like to see Vanek start out the year with a guy like Connolly on the second line, to see if he can get some magic going and spark that kid to life, maybe throw Pyatt on the other side. Maybe just try this in training camp.
Connolly is going to be the Great Unknown going into camp. Is he healthy? Has he worked hard to get his strength back up again? Can he play an "adult" game (use his teammates, make the smart play, not get himself into defensive trouble regularly) if he can play? IF the league is serious about opening up the style of play, he could certainly benefit. It also helps that he's a rightie and would have Vanek on his forehand. Not to mention the possibility of him picking up the garbage from the havoc TV's runs to the crease tend to create.
As for Pyatt on the other wing.... eh. Taylor when last we saw him was someone who still needed to get a kick in the proverbial tail to get going. Since he's not yet leading, he needs someone who can inspire him --- Drury and Grier both have that workmanlike, lunch pail attitude that seemed to rub off on him. If he can show that he can use his size consistently, drive his lane, seperate his check from the puck and utilize his speed on a nightly basis... yeah, I wouldn't mind seeing him with Connolly. But until then....
If he has two quaility wingers I don't see any reason why he couldn't. 10 goals, 20+ assists isn't an astromical figure for a 3rd line center, esp. if he gets a regular shift between two good wingers.
He's doesn't have much offensive talent, even in the AHL. He'll be lucky if he hits 20 points in a full season with Buffalo.
come on, you guys don't seriously expect Vanek to be on a top line? He has skills and should become a great player, but certainly to begin with, he should be given a lower pressure 3rd line role, hopefully with Roy and max.
Give him some decent PP time along with this, and i will be happy with his development.
come on, you guys don't seriously expect Vanek to be on a top line? He has skills and should become a great player, but certainly to begin with, he should be given a lower pressure 3rd line role, hopefully with Roy and max.
Give him some decent PP time along with this, and i will be happy with his development.
I assume you're pleased with the development of other offensive prospects in the past on the team then? Cause the route you propose is the same the team has always done recently, and it hasn't been exactly successful.
I fully expect Vanek to be on one of the top two lines, he won't be given the spot, he'll earn it. Forcing him into a glass ceiling situation on the 3rd line will not add anything to his development.
I assume you're pleased with the development of other offensive prospects in the past on the team then? Cause the route you propose is the same the team has always done recently, and it hasn't been exactly successful.
I fully expect Vanek to be on one of the top two lines, he won't be given the spot, he'll earn it. Forcing him into a glass ceiling situation on the 3rd line will not add anything to his development.
if he proves he can earn it, then play him on the top lines. otherwise, don't.
we need to make the playoffs next year, and we need scoring to do so. Vanek will score no doubt, but as a rookie we can't expect him to put up top line numbers, while playing top line mins with top line responsibilities. if he makes it there by the end of the season then that will be great, but no way should he be put in that situation straight away.
the guy has never played in the NHL before, and only has one year of pro hockey behind him. I think he will be a great player, but we need to be patient.
I liked the Roy/Max/Bartovic line last year, and i could see Vanek settling into the nhl nicely, taking Barto's spot.
