Personally, I feel like we are going to see a whole new player. Let's not forget, Christensen's problem coming into the season was his lack of confidence and fear that he wouldn't be playing in the NHL anymore. I think he feels safe in NYC, feels like he has a home. I think that's going to inspire him, along with the motivation to continue proving his worth. The kid has talent, I know Tortorella is high up on him.
If Christensen can come into camp feeling very confident, I think he's going to surprise us this season. All he has to do is keep up with his consistency. I think 30 goals is honestly very realistic. The skill set is there. We've all seen it.
Looking at Wikipedia here:
Quote:
In the 2005–06 season, he jumped out of the gate quickly, tallying 19 points (9 goals) in only 9 games.
Just gonna copy paste what I just posted in the other thread...
Christensen is such a weird situation. It is odd to me how the detractors refuse to acknowledge how there were games last year where the kid looked incredible.
I mean, flying up the ice, making plays, getting the puck to the net.
I remember games last year where he was the best player on the ice and was creting scoring chances every shift.
Can we expect that from him for a whole season? I have no idea.
But the one thing I think people are underestimating with him is a sense of confidence.
For a kid who had so much promise early in his career and to get bounced around and really struggle everywhere he went, I think it was super rough on him mentally.
Last year we gave him a shot. We brought him back from the dead. He's only 26. And as I said he showed some great flashes last season.
Is he a part of the core going forward? probably not. But it would not surprise me for Erik to have a really good year.
Don't underestimate the importance of confidence in your abilities.
Just gonna copy paste what I just posted in the other thread...
Christensen is such a weird situation. It is odd to me how the detractors refuse to acknowledge how there were games last year where the kid looked incredible.
I mean, flying up the ice, making plays, getting the puck to the net.
I remember games last year where he was the best player on the ice and was creting scoring chances every shift.
Can we expect that from him for a whole season? I have no idea.
But the one thing I think people are underestimating with him is a sense of confidence.
For a kid who had so much promise early in his career and to get bounced around and really struggle everywhere he went, I think it was super rough on him mentally.
Last year we gave him a shot. We brought him back from the dead. He's only 26. And as I said he showed some great flashes last season.
Is he a part of the core going forward? probably not. But it would not surprise me for Erik to have a really good year.
Don't underestimate the importance of confidence in your abilities.
good post.
And I've gotta say, there were games down the stretch when Gaborik was hurt, even one or two that he missed, where Gaborik seemed invisible and Christensen was still our best player. He was a huge factor in us almost making the playoffs.
I think he will have a solid year. If he stays healthy and doesn't get juggled around (like that won't happen), I think he'll surprise some people with his offensive production.
Just gonna copy paste what I just posted in the other thread...
Christensen is such a weird situation. It is odd to me how the detractors refuse to acknowledge how there were games last year where the kid looked incredible.
I mean, flying up the ice, making plays, getting the puck to the net.
I remember games last year where he was the best player on the ice and was creting scoring chances every shift.
Can we expect that from him for a whole season? I have no idea.
But the one thing I think people are underestimating with him is a sense of confidence.
For a kid who had so much promise early in his career and to get bounced around and really struggle everywhere he went, I think it was super rough on him mentally.
Last year we gave him a shot. We brought him back from the dead. He's only 26. And as I said he showed some great flashes last season.
Is he a part of the core going forward? probably not. But it would not surprise me for Erik to have a really good year.
Don't underestimate the importance of confidence in your abilities.
Great post.... with CONFIDENCE EC is a real good NHL player... The skills are there..
He's the biggest enigma on this team. There is no way to predict for him. He could end up being our 1st-line centre throughout the campaign, or he could end up on waivers halfway through the season.
Of course, the likelihood is somewhere in between, but I'd be thrilled if he can merit playing consistently with Gaborik.
if anisimov is playing on the first line, Christensen is in Hartford 4-5 weeks after.
Most likely, yes. I think Christensen will be given an extended opportunity because he did play will with Gabby though. And that in and of itself should benefit him.
Quote:
Originally Posted by 007
He's the biggest enigma on this team. There is no way to predict for him. He could end up being our 1st-line centre throughout the campaign, or he could end up on waivers halfway through the season.
Of course, the likelihood is somewhere in between, but I'd be thrilled if he can merit playing consistently with Gaborik.
Agreed.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Riche16
Him being able to center Fro and Gabby comfortably (or at least Gabby and whoever) would go a long way towards the NYR being solid this yr.
If you can get by with him as 1C you can then round out the 2nd 3rd lines with Vinnie, Dubi, Cally, AA, and to lesser extents Drury, MZA and Avery.
The problem is if he can't and starts to fall down the lineup... loook out below!!! Plus it'll throw everything else off all the way down the lineup.
We have a lot of guys who can play center tho...
Agreed.
I think that EC needs to make sure he busts his ass every game.
I think he's going to play well and I think he'll put up some points this year, but if he doesn't back check like he forgot to do at times last year Torts isn't going to stand for it.
I think EC will be fine offensively. I just hope he remembers to play an all around game. If he doesn't, he won't be here.
Just to piggy-back off of my post from the Stepan thread, I do not believe that EC has much of a future on this team if one of the kids develops faster than management expects. Could he do well? Sure! He impressed everyone at points last season, but he is just a guy they are signing to fill the time until the prospects develop.
If Sather somehow manages to wrangle a top-line center away from another club, EC will be going to the other way or simply will not be around much longer.
Eh, he'll probably stick around just based on his weird ability to mesh with Gaborik.
Having said that, I've always been on the fence about Christensen, even before he played for the Rangers.
He had one good WHL season and what amounts to one good AHL season.
But people see all the different components and I think he becomes a player who's dream factor is more than the sum of his parts. Thus the reason we are his fourth NHL team already.
Everyone tells themself that all they have to do is keep him confident and in a position to excel, and he'll suddently blossom for them. To me, he seems like the classic journeyman. Good enough to not look out of place in a scoring role, but not really outlast better options that come along. He slides down to a bottom six role, but inevitably someone who gives you something better for the role. Goes to another team - wash, rinse, repeat.
I dont thing he will last as the 1st line center. I bet they go back to Dubinsky by december. Christensen is skilled he will make some unbeliavable plays that get fans excited but then he will follow it up by doing nothing for 5-6 games. I just dont think he will survive night in and night out going up against teams best defensive pairs.
When he came in and we saw those entry interviews he looked uber depressed. He was really teetering on the edge IMO. I thought to myself there was no shot for this guy. After a month or so you could see the confidence building and then he hit a little stride where you had to do a double take to make sure it was actually him you just saw make that play.
I think he is a perfect example of confidence in sports. A lot of what goes on for him this year is going to hedge on his camp and first month or so into the season. If he comes out the same, I wouldnt doubt that Torts gives him a shot on the top line again, because he showed some nice chemistry with Gabby. They seemed to be on a nice skill plane together and i think that helped his confidence. Frolov on the other end now and hes gotta another weapon. That could be a dangerous line... and it spreads out some of the talent below them.
Rangers dealing for a center aside... We know Torts wants Prospal and Dubi on the wing, so I think its all up to him to win or lose that spot.
I think he is a perfect example of confidence in sports. A lot of what goes on for him this year is going to hedge on his camp and first month or so into the season. If he comes out the same, I wouldnt doubt that Torts gives him a shot on the top line again, because he showed some nice chemistry with Gabby. They seemed to be on a nice skill plane together and i think that helped his confidence. Frolov on the other end now and hes gotta another weapon. That could be a dangerous line... and it spreads out some of the talent below them.
Nothing like holding out on the GM/Team that claimed you off of waivers (the second time you were there) & played you on the first line with a superstar winger until that GM caves and gives you more money during your FA to build confidence!!!
