Hey guys, here's my thoughts on our bottom six from the past year:
# 94 Tom Pyatt (LW/RW/C)
61 GP
650 minutes played (averaged 10:38 TOI for the year)
7 points (2G + 5A) 2 SH A
134 total minutes PK'ing (averaging 2:21 p/ game)
leaving essentially 516 minutes 5/5...
F/O he's average. 50.0% in 110 f/o's.
+/- wise, he's on the lower third to the team (-1).
I find it odd that so many want other guys out before him. Before anyone tries to say watch the games... I HONESTLY do lol... But Pyatt does not impress me very much.
His role is open IMO.
# 15 Jeff Halpern (C/RW)
72 GP
Logged 917 minutes for us this year (averaging 12:43 TOI)
26 Points (11G + 15A) 1 A SH
169 minutes PK'ing
leaving 748 es minutes
F/O he's the best we have. @ 57% on 594 tries (338 W) What is also important to note, is that he was the ONLY centerman that posted a + SH FO total (76 W/ 50L). Was also a MONSTER Centerman for us against Boston. He went 30/41 (73.2%) in the series
+/- wise, he posted the 3rd highest out of the forwards, with a +6.
The guy flat out EARNED his $600 K contract this year. I am more than happy to ask him to return for another year.
#58 David Desharnais (C/LW)
43 GP
Logged 554 minutes for us this year (averaging 12:52 TOI)
22 Points (8G + 14A) (4G + 4A PP) (4G + 10A ES)
39 minutes PK'ing 81 min PP'ing
leaving 434 es minutes
F/O he's average. @ 49.7% on 445 tries (221 W)
+/- wise, He's on the bottom end (with a -3). What's important to note is he is a +9 with his PPGF ice time, against his PPGA totals...
He's an offensive catalyst who completed his first year, and provided some excellent tertiary scoring while here. IMO a big reason we remained afloat this season, and should definately maintain a role on this team, heading in to his first full time role on the team. I am stoked to see how much he can grow in to...
#57 Benoit Pouliot (LW/C)
79 GP
Logged 912 minutes for us this year 64 PP minutes
30 Points (13G + 17A) 1 PPG
64 PP minutes
847 ES minutes
Pouliot, while drafted as a centerman, only drew 22 f/o this year (Used exclusively as a winger for first time in his career) 10/22 f/o for him... which would be average, but is N/A due to the entirely small populace he had over 79 GP.
+/- wise, he was in the upper third, (+2) and had a PPGF positive stat (5-0)...
Pouliot, while being the whipping boy by some hab circles, actually played OK this year. His big problem is not giving an honest performance to his teammates. His 26 minors is a problem. He also had 3 majors, and 2 misconducts... He also was the 3rd on the team in hits, he also was a + in giveaway - takeways (14 - 26). He just needs to pick his moments better... But otherwise, he's not nearly as big a 'problem' as some make him out to be. In fact, he still helps this team, and IMO has more potential in him to be a very solid piece to this puzzle.
People wondering why he wasnt gioven a lot of PP time, can see the answer in his production (1 PPG, no assists in 64 minutes)
#52 Mathieu Darche (LW/RW)
59 GP
Logged 665 Minutes this year (11:16 TOI)
26 Points (12 G + 14 A) (2G + 5A PP) (10G-9A es)
65 PP minutes
leaving 600 es minutes
+/- wise, He's at the top.. he's a +7, and was on the ice for 15 PPGF, and 1 PPGA...
He was a very good player for us this year, & definately earned a new contract for this year. He certainly is worth the 700K to keep him for next year. Furthermore, he has a very inspirational story for the young guys to pay attention to.
# 81 Lars Eller (C/LW)
77 GP
logged 857 minutes, about 30 minutes were spent on special teams (rather insignificant toi, to record results in).
828 minutes es.
17 Pts (7G/10A)
Lars definately had a horrible year on faceoffs (42.9%) going w/ 183 W on 431 tries. Clearly, he will have to work on this skill. The good news is that faceoffs is a skill that CAN be worked on/taught.
+/- wise, he was on the bad end of the spectrum (-4). But he is a player with tremendous potential. He's improved so much throughout the season, in combination to his potential, makes his icetime valuable to us in the long term.
#32 Travis Moen (LW/RW)
79 GP
1047 minutes logged 184 PK minutes (2:19 toi/pg) (13:11 TOI)
16 PTS (6G-10A) 1SH G
Not a guy you want taking ANY faceoffs (obviously, as a winger) he went 8/22.
He's obviously on the ice for a lot more goals against than for...
His es -4 ranks him very low on this team.
Moen is our second ranked hitter, and is a positive in giveaways and takeaways. He's an honest player who plays the game with a farmboy approach to the game. Travis Moen is our middleweight policeman as well. He had 8 Majors, 3 Misconducts, and only 13 minors.
He is overpaid a bit @ $1.5 mill per, but the effort this guy brings out year by year is definately solid... He does contribute to the tem with his physical play, being our most consistent physical forward.
#53 Ryan White (RW/C)
27 GP
240 minutes logged 6 minutes on special teams (8:55 toi)
5 Pts (2G + 3A)
In his small total, White went 13/32 for an average of 40.9%. This would need to improve immensely, but if he did, he would be a very beneficial RH Centerman (possibly). One thing he does have going for him, is he improved immensely come playoff time, going 12/23 (52.2%) in the series against Boston.
In his 27 games, White was a +5, and was on the ice for a goal against on the PK. His +5 was good for 6th on the team, but the GP must come in to play here, as it does account for a little over 1/4 of a season.
White is definately a tough guy, as he had 38 PIMs, only 4 minors account in there (8 minutes) the rest being majors (4) 1 Misconduct.
He's easily our MOST physical forward, leading the forcheck (27 GP, 70 Hits). He provides the element we are looking for in the lower lines, and IMO has untapped offensive potential to work on.
IMO he should be given a role by next year. The kid loves to play hockey, and is a Braveheart on the ice, pumping his team up with timely hits, fights and potentially goals.
Guys who are now gone:
Max Lapierre (RW/C)... He gave us 38 GP, for 8 points (3G-5A) Definately was a good centerman for us (58% off the draw but only had 29/50 in his opportunities). The problem was, (a) he continuously cost us with his play (-7 es) 63 PIMs, 14 minors (3 majors, 2 misc). (b) he was asking for a larger role, while costing us continuously on the ice. That made no sense, and clearly management RIGHTFULLY disagreed. (c) His request was honored. Good luck Max, just not against us.
Boyd proved he couldnt hack it, -6 es in 10 games with under 10 minutes of ice per game... He was not playing to standard.
Eneqvist, Pulashaj, Dawes all made Not Applicable appearance (under 5 GP each).
All in all, contrary to belief, the bottom 6 doesnt need a whole lot of work actually done to it.
If Pyatt is gone, & a replacement comes via improvement in the to 6 (perhaps leading to Kosty playing a lot with eller on a third line as an example..) I might add that we have a very competent BOTTOM 6, that actually wins us games.
