Prospect Info: Player Discussion - Drew O'Connor (LW/C)

[jmelm]

Finally DOC has been recalled!!! I've only been begging every day for about 3 months.

I tried to bump the original DOC thread, but that has been locked.

Given that he's our top prospect and there will be a lot of talk about -- if he's going to play in these playoffs, will he be a C or LW next year, etc. -- I figured he deserves his own active thread.

Click to read more...

 

[Big Friggin Dummy]

Is he their top prospect? I'd go with one of the goalies, tbh.

Hope he gets a chance to prove himself and does well, but I don't really see anything special there. If he plays, I doubt he gets any legit shot beyond 4th line plug duties until at least next October. Much like Zoho, I think he's probably just a decent bottom-6 guy on a dirt cheap contract. Which isn't a bad thing, but I think collectively, as a fanbase, we're all so starved for young guys to come in and do well that we all kinda put a lot of faith into prospects who are just meh at best. Hell, I was on the Hallander train, thinking he'd find a way to be a good, all-around third wheel on a middle-6 line by season's end. Oops.

 

[jmelm]

Is he their top prospect? I'd go with one of the goalies, tbh.

Hope he gets a chance to prove himself and does well, but I don't really see anything special there. If he plays, I doubt he gets any legit shot beyond 4th line plug duties until at least next October. Much like Zoho, I think he's probably just a decent bottom-6 guy on a dirt cheap contract. Which isn't a bad thing, but I think collectively, as a fanbase, we're all so starved for young guys to come in and do well that we all kinda put a lot of faith into prospects who are just meh at best. Hell, I was on the Hallander train, thinking he'd find a way to be a good, all-around third wheel on a middle-6 line by season's end. Oops.

You're not necessarily wrong about where Hallander could very likely end up, but you were certainly too early on that.

And yes: DOC is absolutely our best skater prospect, if not best prospect all around. It's hard to compare skaters to goalies, of course, which is why central scouting has separate lists for them.

@DesertedPenguin pointed out to me that the key reason Zohorna was up here instead of DOC in recent weeks is because we were that tight against the cap and DOC's higher cap hit was enough to make calling him up over Z not an option. So therefore, we shouldn't infer from DOC not being here over Z as meaning he'll have any less potential or less of a role.

He'll start on the bottom 6 for sure -- I don't see enough of an ice time/opportunity difference to say Carter's line is the 3rd and Blueger's the 4th line, or vice versa -- but it wouldn't surprise me at all that DOC could find himself on 2nd line LW with Geno if Heinen is cold, or DOC is playing so strong, or they're shaking up the lines. I just think there's a good chance he might seize the opportunity.

 

[Big Friggin Dummy]

You're not necessarily wrong about where Hallander could very likely end up, but you were certainly too early on that.

And yes: DOC is absolutely our best skater prospect, if not best prospect all around. It's hard to compare skaters to goalies, of course, which is why central scouting has separate lists for them.

@DesertedPenguin pointed out to me that the key reason Zohorna was up here instead of DOC in recent weeks is because we were that tight against the cap and DOC's higher cap hit was enough to make calling him up over Z not an option. So therefore, we shouldn't infer from DOC not being here over Z as meaning he'll have any less potential or less of a role.

He'll start on the bottom 6 for sure -- I don't see enough of an ice time/opportunity difference to say Carter's line is the 3rd and Blueger's the 4th line, or vice versa -- but it wouldn't surprise me at all that DOC could find himself on 2nd line LW with Geno if Heinen is cold, or DOC is playing so strong, or they're shaking up the lines. I just think there's a good chance he might seize the opportunity.

Bless your heart. Hope you're right.

 

[jmelm]

Bless your heart. Hope you're right.

So do I lol!

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

I like DOC as a prospect. I agree that he's probably their best one at forward... though honestly I'm not sure how much that says about the team's prospect pool as opposed to DOC. But the likelihood of Mike Sullivan playing him on the second line is probably about the same as me slotting in there.

He MIGHT actually get a game or two if they make a run since the team is kinda banged up and they at least had enough confidence in him to play him a bit the first half of the season. But they'll probably be eliminated WAY before that.

 

[jmelm]

I like DOC as a prospect. I agree that he's probably their best one at forward... though honestly I'm not sure how much that says about the team's prospect pool as opposed to DOC. But the likelihood of Mike Sullivan playing him on the second line is probably about the same as me slotting in there.

He MIGHT actually get a game or two if they make a run since the team is kinda banged up and they at least had enough confidence in him to play him a bit the first half of the season. But they'll probably be eliminated WAY before that.

If he gets on the 2nd line, it's going to be because he ended up earning a shift or a few shifts there, and then scores or sets up a goal, and then basically will just have forced his way on and Sully won't be able to take him off unless he makes mistakes. He'll have to earn it, and I'm not saying it's a foregone conclusion, but it wouldn't surprise me in the least if he ends up there at some point.

Frankly, that's where I have him pencilled in the lineup for next season if Geno is re-signed but no other LW is.

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

Sullivan does what he does regardless of outcomes, these days. I'm fairly well convinced of that at this point.

As for the rest... hell... I've seen weirder things happen so I won't say you're wrong. But Malkin won't be back so maybe he competes with "Priority" Jeff "Big Teflon" Carter next year for that 2C spot. Which hey... neat.

 

[Big Friggin Dummy]

Sullivan does what he does regardless of outcomes, these days. I'm fairly well convinced of that at this point.

As for the rest... hell... I've seen weirder things happen so I won't say you're wrong. But Malkin won't be back so maybe he competes with "Priority" Jeff "Big Teflon" Carter next year. Which hey... neat.

Man, you are so Eeyore re: Geno's contract negotiations. If anything, it's Letang with one foot out the door already. And even then, I'd be kinda surprised. Geno's coming back, fer sher.

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

Man, you are so Eeyore re: Geno's contract negotiations. If anything, it's Letang with one foot out the door already. And even then, I'd be kinda surprised. Geno's coming back, fer sher.

Too much (bad) smoke. Zero movement. Heading into the playoffs with this unresolved. Lots of rumors of the team lowballing him. The fact that he is simply just Russian here in 2022.

It's not like I know anything. But I guess we'll see.

 

[Big Friggin Dummy]

Fwiw, I hope I'm wrong about DOC and he turns out to be like a Kunitz-lite. A dude who is a solid third wheel player, with solid skill, but is really propelled by his hockey IQ and smart positioning while providing a bit of physicality along the boards and around the net. I'll just believe it when I see it, because what DOC was for his first like 30 games in the NHL, was extremely underwhelming.

 

[Big Friggin Dummy]

Too much (bad) smoke. Zero movement. Heading into the playoffs with this unresolved. Lots of rumors of the team lowballing him. The fact that he is simply just Russian here in 2022.

It's not like I know anything. But I guess we'll see.

With Letang, I think that talks have been shelved is no bueno. That says to me he and his camp (and the team) are gonna let the playoff results help decide the outcome. With Price mulling retirement in Montreal, and their GM basically saying they're gonna move on from Petry, I think the stars are aligning for Letang to be handed some silly 5-year, $45 million deal by the Habs.

With Geno, I think it's all but a sure thing, and talks being shelved is pretty whatever. "No distractions during the playoff push/playoffs" kinda thing. I think the reports (multiple? singular?) about the lowball offer are just Rossi or whoever talking out of their ass like the vaunted Pittsburgh sports media is wont to do. Those dipshits are right about predictions less than the collective geniuses here at HFboards.

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

I mean... he's got a great frame, can certainly skate and has some interesting puck skills.

That alone in the prospect pool is worth at least SOMETHING.

With Geno, I think it's all but a sure thing, and talks being shelved is pretty whatever. "No distractions during the playoff push/playoffs" kinda thing.

This for sure cuts both ways, though. The "no distraction" thing I mean. Especially for a guy like Malkin. If this is actually still up in the air I'm certain it's weighing on him. He's been here 16 years and is only human.

 

[Big Friggin Dummy]

I mean... he's got a great frame, can certainly skate and has some interesting puck skills.

That alone in the prospect pool is worth at least SOMETHING.



This for sure cuts both ways, though. The "no distraction" thing I mean. Especially for a guy like Malkin. If this is actually still up in the air I'm certain it's weighing on him. He's been here 16 years and is only human.

Yeah, I guess. I don't know. You know I'm all for the rebuild already, so I don't really care what happens, but I'd be absolutely astonished if Geno didn't retire a Penguin. Maybe that happens this summer and he goes off to play a couple seasons in Russia before retiring to Miami Beach or something, but I don't see him being shoved out the door or anything.

As broken down as the dude is from annual serious injury throughout his career, he's still--at worst--a great PP specialist and a guy who has some elite skill left. It's a matter of durability with Geno, but that matter is preeeeetty, pretty big.

We've derailed the DOC thread enough though--jmelm's gonna beat our asses if we don't cut it out. DOC's got his 15 minutes of fame, and the clock's ticking. It's not fair to tread on one of his few sacred places. (I hope jmelm knows that was a joke.)

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

True enough. I'm fairly certain I've already beaten this subject to a bloody pulp, anyway.

It is what it is. It's not like dude was gonna play forever.

But I swear to f***... if he's in a Capitals uniform next season...

 

[Big Friggin Dummy]

True enough. I'm fairly certain I've already beaten this subject to a bloody pulp, anyway.

It is what it is. It's not like dude was gonna play forever.

But I swear to f***... if he's in a Capitals uniform next season...

You'll feel the angst of 15 year old me watching Jagr in his gaudy teal and copper Caps jersey circa 2001. I get it.

 

[The Old Master]

sully always goes with those that got him there. if sully were to play doc it would be a major change in his way of doing things. just remember how he stuck with jj when he had much better on the bench

 

[DesertedPenguin]

sully always goes with those that got him there. if sully were to play doc it would be a major change in his way of doing things. just remember how he stuck with jj when he had much better on the bench

He's spoken very highly of DOC. I don't think it's a coincidence that he is up immediately the moment they had cap room.

I think they may give Kappy a game or two, so I think DOC will get in over Boyle to start. But if Kappy doesn't play well in Games 1 & 2 in NYC, I bet Boyle takes his spot.

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

Why would Boyle not start the playoffs? I admit I haven't been paying a ton of attention the last few weeks but did I miss something?

 

[Andy99]

Why would Boyle not start the playoffs? I admit I haven't been paying a ton of attention the last few weeks but did I miss something?

he can score goals…he might be one of the few who can pot one on Shesterkin…Boyle better be playing…btw, I’d play Kap too assuming Sullivan is going to use the same game plan he used during the RS….he’s one guy with really good speed and we need that….assuming Zucker is out, DOC should be the 13th forward…wouldn’t play him unless another forward is struggling or hurt

 

[jmelm]

Woahhhh. Why is there any talk of Kappy vs. Boyle? They fill 2 different roles (and that's if you consider Kappy filling any role at all, besides sucking). KK should not be in the lineup to begin the series. He can come in if there's an injury or if someone else deserves to be out (i.e. ERod).

Boyle brings several important elements KK does not: size, physicality, reliable defensive play, PKing, face-off ability, heck...he's even a more reliable offensive producer than KK at this point. Also, he brings a huge inspirational leadership element to this team. He's made for playoff hockey in particular, and we need more of what he brings, not less. So Boyle has to be in no matter what.

And of course Boyle can play LW or C, not RW. KK can only play RW (if you think he can play hockey at all).

As I posted in another thread earlier today before DOC was recalled:

Guentzel--Crosby--Rakell(Rust)
Heinen--Malkin--Rust(Rakell)
DOC--Carter--McGinn
Boyle--Blueger--ERod

So that's Boyle in, DOC in, and Kappy TF out!

Post automatically merged: Apr 30, 2022

he can score goals…he might be one of the few who can pot one on Shesterkin…Boyle better be playing…btw, I’d play Kap too assuming Sullivan is going to use the same game plan he used during the RS….he’s one guy with really good speed and we need that….assuming Zucker is out, DOC should be the 13th forward…wouldn’t play him unless another forward is struggling or hurt

To the bolded -- Kappy is struggling, in case you haven't noticed. KK hasn't just been doing nothing, he's actively hurting our team right now.

I think because it's been so long, people may forget what DOC brings. But he'll be a much more effective forechecker and the chance to be a better offensive contributor than KK, which are kind of the only 2 things KK does when he's actually playing well, which he hasn't done this entire season.

 

[wheelz87]

Woahhhh. Why is there any talk of Kappy vs. Boyle? They fill 2 different roles (and that's if you consider Kappy filling any role at all, besides sucking). KK should not be in the lineup to begin the series. He can come in if there's an injury or if someone else deserves to be out (i.e. ERod).

Boyle brings several important elements KK does not: size, physicality, reliable defensive play, PKing, face-off ability, heck...he's even a more reliable offensive producer than KK at this point. Also, he brings a huge inspirational leadership element to this team. He's made for playoff hockey in particular, and we need more of what he brings, not less. So Boyle has to be in no matter what.

And of course Boyle can play LW or C, not RW. KK can only play RW (if you think he can play hockey at all).

As I posted in another thread earlier today before DOC was recalled:

Guentzel--Crosby--Rakell(Rust)
Heinen--Malkin--Rust(Rakell)
DOC--Carter--McGinn
Boyle--Blueger--ERod

So that's Boyle in, DOC in, and Kappy TF out!

That’s probably what I’d go with. I’m guessing DOC spends the first game, maybe two just practicing. Then Sully finally pulls the plug on Kap and we see this.

 

[jmelm]

That’s probably what I’d go with. I’m guessing DOC spends the first game, maybe two just practicing. Then Sully finally pulls the plug on Kap and we see this.

I think Sully has been done with Kap for a while, and the only reason he played the last game was because Zucker was injured and we didn't have an extra forward. And the stakes are too high to give KK any more rope right now. He doesn't deserve the benefit of the doubt.

And I think the only reason why KK wasn't replaced with DOC a while ago, was in part to try to give one or two final chances (which he failed) and because we couldn't fit DOC up on the roster because of the salary cap.

Also, there was a bit of a battle because KK and ERod and who sucked more. ERod has had more good moments and is more versatile overall and has won the race for "4th line RW", with McGinn having the 3rd line RW spot. McGinn being on the RW instead of LW means there's one spot on the left side open; and with Zucker being injured, that's a second spot open. ERod sucks on LW and KK sucks at any position. Therefore, DOC and Boyle should take the bottom 2 LW spots.

Simple.

 

[wheelz87]

I’ve admittedly defended erod over this past stretch. There’s no doubt he isn’t the same player from the start of the year. Seeing more and more mistakes from him. But he battles like crazy out there though. He backchecks - always. He’s a no brainer over KK to me. Still think Kap gets a game, atleast. But he’s no doubt the first guy out. Hopefully sooner rather than later.

 

[ChaosAgent]

I think Sully has been done with Kap for a while, and the only reason he played the last game was because Zucker was injured and we didn't have an extra forward. And the stakes are too high to give KK any more rope right now. He doesn't deserve the benefit of the doubt.

And I think the only reason why KK wasn't replaced with DOC a while ago, was in part to try to give one or two final chances (which he failed) and because we couldn't fit DOC up on the roster because of the salary cap.

Also, there was a bit of a battle because KK and ERod and who sucked more. ERod has had more good moments and is more versatile overall and has won the race for "4th line RW", with McGinn having the 3rd line RW spot. McGinn being on the RW instead of LW means there's one spot on the left side open; and with Zucker being injured, that's a second spot open. ERod sucks on LW and KK sucks at any position. Therefore, DOC and Boyle should take the bottom 2 LW spots.

Simple.

The team has been 100% resting Boyle given his age and lack of game action last year. I would be shocked if he isn't starting on the 4th line in the POs. One of the few guys that I think will become more valuable in the POs versus the RS.

I'm with you on Kap sitting, also. In my mind he's toast this year. Maybe in the future for some other org he comes back as a useful player, but not this team this year. A hindrance.