If that's how you feel there's really not much to debate... but, what the hell, here goes a fruitless exercise where both of us have something in our head and won't be swayed
Cody Franson > Nathan Beaulieu
Dmitry Kulikov < Marco Scandella
Jake McCabe = Jake McCabe
Josh Gorges = Josh Gorges
Justin Falk = Justin Falk
Rasmus Ristolainen = Rasmus Ristolainen
Zach Bogosian > Victor Antipin
That's just the defense, you want forwards?
Brian Gionta > Jason Pominville
Evander Kane = Evander Kane
Jack Eichel = Jack Eichel
Kyle Okposo = Kyle Okposo
Marcus Foligno > Jacob Josefson
Johan Larsson = Johan Larsson
Nicolas Deslauriers = Jordan Nolan
Ryan O'Reilly = Ryan O'Reilly
Sam Reinhart = Sam Reinhart
Tyler Ennis < Benoit Pouliot
William Carrier > Scott Wilson
Zemgus Girgensons = Zemgus Girgensons
Matt Moulson <<<< Anyone
Completely agree. I'll add that Eichel developed positively since last year, but that was more than offset by several players regressing in the beginning of the year. We can only assume that was due to chemistry and new system/coaching staff. By the time they jelled (January) they were ravaged by injuries.
I like this full breakdown. I would start by saying you are right, not even close comes off like the talent disparity is enormous. I didn’t mean it that way, but I could see how it looks. What I meant was that I think there is a clear distinction in talent. And it favors this year’s teams.
I will say Risto is equal this year as to last. Tho I would hope for improvement from him, with experience and a defensive guru in Housley. Instead let’s say he broke even with his ability from the year before.
Scandella is so much better than anyone we could call their number two from last year it’s laughable. I think I would have to use Bogo as his comparable in roles and between health and actual play Scandella represents a big improvement.
Third best guy, I think I go with McCabe for the purpose of this game and he was inconsistent last year and worse this year for most of the season. I’m putting some of that on Housley, but let’s call it even for talent.
Antipin vs kulikov. Pure talent kulikov wins handily before the season last year, compared to antipin this year. But with that door injury in preseason and acknowdging Housley not giving antipin much play time for the first 15 games or so, in a tossup I say Antipin has been a better player night in night out than kulikov was last year.
Franson v Beaulieu. Franson was not trash last year. But he has obvious issues. Beaulieu at his best is better than Franson, but that happens like three times this year. Both coaching options make this choice harder. Bylsma didn’t play Franson in the same role as Beaulieu played for Housley. But I’ll give the nod to Franson because beaulieu makes me want to shoot him. But very close.
Gorges same.
Falk same.
So to me Scandella is a huge boost to the unit talent to start the year. Call ups for Nelson and Guhle have also been better than any call ups last year, particularly Nelson, who has more or less been the third best defender since Xmas.
Offense
Jack has been better this year than last year and it should have been that way as he continues learn and use his freak body.
ROR is the same talent. His crap play for the first two months is the question. Did he suck purely on his own terms to start the season, bad communication with Housley? Both??? I guess even.
Reinhart, better than the year before. Same concern about his start as O’Reilly, but as a young player he has continued to grow and has been a beast while Eichel has been out, something you couldn’t say last year.
Kane, same as before with better puck luck for most of the year before the trade.
I think Wilson is on par with Carrier with different styles, Carrier speed and power, Wilson east west and better hands, but Wilson came late.
I agree with your choices on gionta and foligno over their counterparts.
The ones you called even, fair enough.
So to me if you go on roles, Scandella tips the scales in this year’s favor substantially. The dips in bottom 6 forwards is there. But I have a hard time with the idea that the difference between foligno and gionta on the third line is more impactful talent wise than bringing in an additional top 4 defender.
But to be fair it certainly isn’t a mega difference. Which in theory is a big problem because this team is on pace to far worse than last year and that is with Eichel missing less time than last year.
Even if we call the teams even in talent, this is a hard fail for Housley. I mean what would be the difference between him and Rolston at this point?
