Sosh is a younger version of uncle Leo and his potential replacement down the road playing a similar style and role.
Soshnikov -- Kadri -- Brownie
I don't think Sosh has the size/build to withstand playing the "Leo" style for a prolonged period of time.
Personally I would have any of Hyman, Leivo, Johnsson, Rychel, Grundstrom and maybe even Leipsic on that line over Sosh. I just can't picture Sosh being a consistent ~30pt threat going forward.
He'll be 24 at the start of next season, at what point do we accept this is the player he is, and there isn't some untapped offensive potential under the surface.
Get Sosh more TOI/g and with better offensive linemates and watch him potentially pot close to 20 goals.
He was getting PP minutes at the start of the year and got a chance with Kadri line at one point and did nothing with it. He hasn't really earned a promotion or more minutes. Each year there will be another crop of forwards with higher offensive upside then him fighting for their place in the top 9.
I'd be pretty happy with him long term as a 4th line energy/PK guy capable of providing a spark here and there and putting up ~15 pts/year.
Doesn't look like much more than a 4th line/AHL player to me.
Good shot though.
He was on our 4th line because of our depth up front. He has way too much speed, skill, and creativity to be a career 4th liner.
I don't think Sosh has the size/build to withstand playing the "Leo" style for a prolonged period of time.
Personally I would have any of Hyman, Leivo, Johnsson, Rychel, Grundstrom and maybe even Leipsic on that line over Sosh. I just can't picture Sosh being a consistent ~30pt threat going forward.
He'll be 24 at the start of next season, at what point do we accept this is the player he is, and there isn't some untapped offensive potential under the surface.
9 points doesn't scream 3rd liner. He seems more like an energy guy to me, but 10:00 TOI isn't enough time to show an upside either IMO. If he is back it might be nice to see what he can do with upwards of 15:00 TOI on a regular line. Hyman had 1 point in his first dozen games and they rolled him out 16:00+ a night.
Doesn't look like much more than a 4th line/AHL player to me.
Good shot though.
Although he was getting those opportunities we have to keep in mind that he was still a rookie. For me he had a very good rookie year. I think expecting 10 goals a year is very much within his reach. His value is going to be value and tenacity
Something tells me if he played in the playoffs, he would have ripped Kuznestov apart.
To be fair - until Boyle came on board he was playing with players who have absolutely stone hands offensively - ie Smith, Martin and the Goat as linemates aren't helping things here.
He's an NHL player, but I don't think he'll ever score as much as his wrist shot would suggest. It's a laser but it's a slow release, and I haven't seen a lot of high-end offensive creativity from him. I think he'll have Kulemin-type impact, which is pretty decent for a guy we picked up for nothing.