rigger said:
I think they will combine for more then that, I can see Crosby putting up near 150 points next season especially with Malkin. Both are great passer and both can finish so they will have fun playing pass on the PP and then scoring.
I am not overly confident Malkin will hit 100 points but if he does crosby will have a huge part in that and he will have at least 140-150 him self.
People can bash me now if they want but Crosby is a better player then Ovechkin, he sees the ice better, is a better passer and better defensively. Ovechkin is a better finisher and has a better shot. Next year Crosby will pass Ovechkin point wise and never look back.
He is a better player.
150 points because of Malkin
Using this seasons stats to project 150 points next season:
58G 92A
63A-92A = +29A
39-58 goals is a 19 goal increase.
Almost as many assists as Thornton this season (who do the Pens have = to Cheechoo in there system?).
More goals then Gagne, Gionta, Heatley, AO, Jagr and reining Rocket winner Cheechoo have this season?
Even if its say +10G(49) in order to reach 150 points that is 38 more assists(+60%) then Crosby had this season.
While it might be true that Crosby will have more points then AO in his career, will he ever come close to AO in goals?
Malkin is(?) coming over to a foreign country on a losing team and will be playing a new style of hockey then he is used to.
Just because both AO/SC reached 100 points this season does that automatically mean Malkin will do the same in his rookie season.
People complain about Malkin passing too much, if he is going to be the 2nd line centre won’t he have the lesser linemates to work with?
Malkin might have to shoot more out of necessity rather then choice.
Malkin will be facing goalies such as Lund and Brodeur on a constant bases with the Pens, Hatcher/Tucker and D such as Redden/Chara.
While he might have played V some of the East’s top players in international tournaments, small ice is entirely different game.
Malkin is allowed a few months of adjustment before his verdict is sentenced.
Points should not be the primary concern for Pens fans, getting into the playoffs should be.
92 points was 8th place this season compared to the Pens 58(2nd worst) points.
92-58 = +34P or 17W.
If Atlanta ever gets a healthy starting goalie/ Toronto gets some young fast players + say Chara, the Pens will have a lot of competition to make the playoffs next season.
Tampa can miss the playoffs next year if they play like they have this season, but that is only one playoff spot.