One player had very few minutes. Did you consider that? Kostins EV production/minute is excellent. Especially considering most of his linemates and usage. My take is properly used Kostin could be a 40pt player who also is a heat seeking missile hitting people and fights. Those being intangibles worth something on a team that needs more of the same and especially in playoffs.
Well Kostin shot 19.64% at even strength last season.
So if a player has the best season he's ever had you'll put him into a smaller role or don't extend him just in case? I appreciate your message but don't think the poker example has much if anything to do this. In hockey you usually appreciate success, for example Woodcroft would rather be extended if the Oilers won with him. Not sacked for the fear of him not being able to repeat what he's just done.
This is actually true and I hadn't quite realized this earlier. He did score well for his low minutes also in playoffs, but I hadn't realized he scored most of his goals in such a short period.
I’m just talking about comparables that could be used if he went to arbitration. Not commenting on him as a player.
I like both of these players but its likely Ryan is done at somepoint in this contract. I mean how old can the guy play? He's already showing a lot of signs of it and games where he doesn't have it, which is understandable at age. As for McLeod his development as a player has completely flatlined under Woody. He was showing promise under Tippett and so were other young players here. I don't think Woodys tough love scratching and removing minutes from young players is that conducive to their development. Its a joke how little we've seen of Holloway and Bourgault Broberg etc as well. We've even essentially parked the players giving them next to no minutes when they are up.
Agreed.
It won't be happening under Woody. Take a look at all the vet league minimum contracts just dragged in this week. People can say its for Bakersfield. I think there will be strong temptation to load up with vets and park the kids one more year. I think that was even stated in regards to Bourgault. Holloway usage to this point has been deplorable. He was even up for long points and not being used, or insignificantly used. The patience with youth mistakes by this coaching staff has been non existent. Make an error and your out of here or riding bench. Hate to see it. I want to see kids making typical youth player mistakes. Because it means they're playing.
I agree, his usage of Holloway was simply pathetic. Let's not get into Kostin in the playoffs. Weird how he has Desharnais going at every opportunity in comparison.
Amen. most posters have fallen into the trope where McLellan, Tippett were the dinosaur coaches and somehow Woody isn't because he's younger. But of them he's been the most inclined to park and to refuse to use youth. To a degree where the conclusion is inescapable. But not just playoffs in regular season he spent the last 2mths loading up McDrai and topsix in pretty meaningless games where we could have gave our stars some rest.
imo there was something unsaid going on with the Kostin situation in the playoffs. It made no sense that he wasn't playing, so much so that it had to something we don't know
I agree with it all as per usual Positive, but I don't believe coaching is a major issue despite all of it.
Have you watched Holloway play at lower levels than the NHL?
I'm really high on McLeod. Having a great 3C would be a huge deal. We saw flashes of greatness from Kostin but we've also seen that from McLeod, but it was longer ago. McLeod was injured and playing not quite 100% in the playoffs. Last playoffs though, wow.
