If Spooner is traded away I feel Austin Czarnik can fill in OK until the arrival of JFK, Donato or Frederic. Austin has the same skill set as Spooner; small, quick, good passer. And, quite a bit more grit. And he's a LH shot, like Ryan. Pair him with Backus and DeBrusk and we'd have an competitive third line.
Yup. But I believe in second chances, especially given his skills.I thought Czarnik was absolutely awful last year.
Yup. But I believe in second chances, especially given his skills.
If Spooner is traded away I feel Austin Czarnik can fill in OK until the arrival of JFK, Donato or Frederic. Austin has the same skill set as Spooner; small, quick, good passer. And, quite a bit more grit. And he's a LH shot, like Ryan. Pair him with Backus and DeBrusk and we'd have an competitive third line.
Yup. But I believe in second chances, especially given his skills.I thought Czarnik was absolutely awful last year.
Right about the RH shot. He's a center. And with the plethora of wingers vying for a shot on the roster, his best opportunity is at the pivot.Czarnik has the same problem as Spooner.
He's not suited nor capable of playing center at the NHL level.
If Czarnik ever makes the NHL as a full-time player, it will likely be as a winger, probably a right-wing, as he shoots right not left.
Right about the RH shot. He's a center. And with the plethora of wingers vying for a shot on the roster, his best opportunity is at the pivot.
If Spooner goes, I'm hoping he gets a shot in TC. Between him and JFK should be competition for the third line. And, with Donato and Frederic on the way, can't see the investment it would take to pry Duchene out of Sakic's mitts. Like to see Austin add a little weight in the off season. No doubt the staff has advised him on this.Disagree, and if you look at the lack of depth in right-shot wingers compared to centers and left-shot wingers, his best bet to carve out a roster spot is RW, where they have Pasta and Backes (who can play C), followed by Acciari (who can also play C but is a better winger), and Nash (who likely ends up as a Center under Cassidy with Moore gone).
After that it's pretty much Senyshyn (who is doubtful to crack the Boston roster this year) and a long-shot in Justin Hickman.
Granted, chances are some left-shot wings end up on their off-side (almost inevitable this year really).
He's going to need to be much better in the face-off circle (42% last year) if he wants to play center.
Simply put, at 160 lbs, I don't think he has the strength to defend down low the way centers are asked to and need to be capable of doing at the NHL level in today's game.
If Spooner goes, I'm hoping he gets a shot in TC. Between him and JFK should be competition for the third line. And, with Donato and Frederic on the way, can't see the investment it would take to pry Duchene out of Sakic's mitts. Like to see Austin add a little weight in the off season. No doubt the staff has advised him on this.
Tell that to Johnny Hockey!JFK and Czarnik look 150lbs soaking wet, no thanks.
Tell that to Johnny Hockey!
JFK and Czarnik look 150lbs soaking wet, no thanks.
The whole line of thinking of Spooner is too weak and not gritty enough so let's try a smaller player that probably won't produce as many points makes no sense to me.
Johnny Hockey doesn't play center.
You obviously missed the point.The whole line of thinking of Spooner is too weak and not gritty enough so let's try a smaller player that probably won't produce as many points makes no sense to me.
Comparing Czarnik and JFK to Johnny Hockey is like comparing John Scott to Chara.
You obviously missed the point.
I understand small players can be good on the NHL, but Czarnik and JFK haven't proven anything at that level yet, JFK hasn't even played in Providence yet. It sounded like you were comparing Johnny to Czarnik and JFK based on size alone. I think it would be unwise to start the season with a huge question mark at third line center, especially if we have the cap space to keep Spooner for another year.
I'm pretty convinced Czarnik wouldn't be an upgrade and would most likely be a downgrade. JFK is a huge unknown to me, I've never seen him play in Providence or even at a development camp. The only pro game I've seen him in he looked way out of his league.
I understand small players can be good on the NHL, but Czarnik and JFK haven't proven anything at that level yet, JFK hasn't even played in Providence yet. It sounded like you were comparing Johnny to Czarnik and JFK based on size alone. I think it would be unwise to start the season with a huge question mark at third line center, especially if we have the cap space to keep Spooner for another year.
I'm pretty convinced Czarnik wouldn't be an upgrade and would most likely be a downgrade. JFK is a huge unknown to me, I've never seen him play in Providence or even at a development camp. The only pro game I've seen him in he looked way out of his league.
Again. JFK and Czarnik are not even remotely comparable in size.
JFK is bigger than I thought, but I still don't think we should be counting on him playing in the NHL next season.
Love or hate Spooner, he's easily the most talented third line center we have on the roster at this point. It's foolish to think JFK is anywhere close to being ready (Could maybe pull a Carlo) and Nash and Czarnik are not third line players. They could move Backes to center if the young wingers make themselves part of this team with great camps.