⅔ of the way thru the season. Report card?

[ZZamboni]

Break it down anyway you like. By player, by groups, wherever ....

Forwards ... B+
Defense ... C
Goaltending ... B-
Coaching ... C
PP ... C+
PK ... B+
Overall consistent effort every game ... C+

Click to read more...

 

[buffalowing88]

Eichel- B+
Skinner- B
Reinhart- B He's putting up points and he's made a leap offensively. Still has his flaws and the #2 pick rep will hang over his head for his entire career, but I'm satisfied with
Mittelstadt- C- I think he's shown enough flashes to be optimistic about him next year. This was never going to be an easy season for him. At least the skill is as good as advertised and that's a lot harder to teach than adding muscle.
Thompson- C- I have less optimism about him than Mittelstadt but I would kick the tires on him another year before making a judgment.
Pominville- C He's been exactly what I expected. No complaints but he's not impressing me at any point either.
Sheary- D+ On pace for sub-40 points which is pretty disappointing for the opportunities he's had.
Okposo- D- Can't give him an F since he has 10 goals which is...something I guess. And I like him as a locker room presence.
Rodrigues- D+ There's always one guy like him on this squad. Lot of hustle, looks like he gives a shit...but just lacks the skillset to be anything more than a tweener. It's frustrating to watch him but I guess he for the most part tries.
Sobotka- F - [mod]
Girgensons- D+ Everything I said about Rodrigues but you were a FIRST ROUND PICK. I guess he's physical as well. I don't know, perhaps he could have benefited from a good coach.
Larsson- C- My favorite non-top 6 player. I think he's going to have a late-blooming career but probably not with us. He's underwhelming more often than I'd like but of all the bottom line guys. he's the one who is most defensible.


Risto- C He's beyond a liability on defense right now and that's really troubling at this point in his career. Maybe he's a specialist at this point. I can't give him below a C because he's been aggressive and offensively involved but his own zone is a mess.
Dahlin- B He's a teenager and he's on pace for over 40 points. He's also been our best defender on the ice for games at a time. He needs to be headier with the puck and play with a bit more focus but I'm not going to harp on what has otherwise been a Calder-level year.
Bogosian- B- When healthy, he's been our best defenseman quite often. I don't know if that speaks more to him playing better or the team playing shittier. He's fine for what he is, the injuries are just always an issue.
McCabe- C- Tailed off this season and I think this is his norm, not the guy who was playing above and beyond earlier in the season.
Scandella- D Really disappointed me
Beaulieu- F- [mod]
Pilut- C I'm not going to give a young guy playing a larger role a terrible grade but I do think he's been a bit overhyped here.


Hutton- C- Underwhelming
Ullmark- C Flashes of greatness. Not nearly enough for us to be content going into the offseason though.

 

[SnuggaRUDE]

Feel terrible shitting on a post which took that much effort.

I’m confident others will pick up the slack.

 

[CatsforReinhart]

That's why you don't grade based on 10 games. You grade on 54 games played.

I understand...Like Eichel was an A before he got injured but since he has been back he is like a C- what does that mean? B?

Forwards B-
Defence C+
Goalies B-

Coach D+
GM C+

Rookies B+

Thats how I see it.

 

[AustonsNostrils]

Eichel- B+
Skinner- B
Reinhart- B He's putting up points and he's made a leap offensively. Still has his flaws and the #2 pick rep will hang over his head for his entire career, but I'm satisfied with
Mittelstadt- C- I think he's shown enough flashes to be optimistic about him next year. This was never going to be an easy season for him. At least the skill is as good as advertised and that's a lot harder to teach than adding muscle.
Thompson- C- I have less optimism about him than Mittelstadt but I would kick the tires on him another year before making a judgment.
Pominville- C He's been exactly what I expected. No complaints but he's not impressing me at any point either.
Sheary- D+ On pace for sub-40 points which is pretty disappointing for the opportunities he's had.
Okposo- D- Can't give him an F since he has 10 goals which is...something I guess. And I like him as a locker room presence.
Rodrigues- D+ There's always one guy like him on this squad. Lot of hustle, looks like he gives a ****...but just lacks the skillset to be anything more than a tweener. It's frustrating to watch him but I guess he for the most part tries.
Sobotka- F - UCKKKK YOU
Girgensons- D+ Everything I said about Rodrigues but you were a FIRST ROUND PICK. I guess he's physical as well. I don't know, perhaps he could have benefited from a good coach.
Larsson- C- My favorite non-top 6 player. I think he's going to have a late-blooming career but probably not with us. He's underwhelming more often than I'd like but of all the bottom line guys. he's the one who is most defensible.


Risto- C He's beyond a liability on defense right now and that's really troubling at this point in his career. Maybe he's a specialist at this point. I can't give him below a C because he's been aggressive and offensively involved but his own zone is a mess.
Dahlin- B He's a teenager and he's on pace for over 40 points. He's also been our best defender on the ice for games at a time. He needs to be headier with the puck and play with a bit more focus but I'm not going to harp on what has otherwise been a Calder-level year.
Bogosian- B- When healthy, he's been our best defenseman quite often. I don't know if that speaks more to him playing better or the team playing ****tier. He's fine for what he is, the injuries are just always an issue.
McCabe- C- Tailed off this season and I think this is his norm, not the guy who was playing above and beyond earlier in the season.
Scandella- D Really disappointed me
Beaulieu- F- uck you
Pilut- C I'm not going to give a young guy playing a larger role a terrible grade but I do think he's been a bit overhyped here.


Hutton- C- Underwhelming
Ullmark- C Flashes of greatness. Not nearly enough for us to be content going into the offseason though.

awful

 

[CatsforReinhart]

Eichel- B+
Skinner- B
Reinhart- B He's putting up points and he's made a leap offensively. Still has his flaws and the #2 pick rep will hang over his head for his entire career, but I'm satisfied with
Mittelstadt- C- I think he's shown enough flashes to be optimistic about him next year. This was never going to be an easy season for him. At least the skill is as good as advertised and that's a lot harder to teach than adding muscle.
Thompson- C- I have less optimism about him than Mittelstadt but I would kick the tires on him another year before making a judgment.
Pominville- C He's been exactly what I expected. No complaints but he's not impressing me at any point either.
Sheary- D+ On pace for sub-40 points which is pretty disappointing for the opportunities he's had.
Okposo- D- Can't give him an F since he has 10 goals which is...something I guess. And I like him as a locker room presence.
Rodrigues- D+ There's always one guy like him on this squad. Lot of hustle, looks like he gives a ****...but just lacks the skillset to be anything more than a tweener. It's frustrating to watch him but I guess he for the most part tries.
Sobotka- F - UCKKKK YOU
Girgensons- D+ Everything I said about Rodrigues but you were a FIRST ROUND PICK. I guess he's physical as well. I don't know, perhaps he could have benefited from a good coach.
Larsson- C- My favorite non-top 6 player. I think he's going to have a late-blooming career but probably not with us. He's underwhelming more often than I'd like but of all the bottom line guys. he's the one who is most defensible.


Risto- C He's beyond a liability on defense right now and that's really troubling at this point in his career. Maybe he's a specialist at this point. I can't give him below a C because he's been aggressive and offensively involved but his own zone is a mess.
Dahlin- B He's a teenager and he's on pace for over 40 points. He's also been our best defender on the ice for games at a time. He needs to be headier with the puck and play with a bit more focus but I'm not going to harp on what has otherwise been a Calder-level year.
Bogosian- B- When healthy, he's been our best defenseman quite often. I don't know if that speaks more to him playing better or the team playing ****tier. He's fine for what he is, the injuries are just always an issue.
McCabe- C- Tailed off this season and I think this is his norm, not the guy who was playing above and beyond earlier in the season.
Scandella- D Really disappointed me
Beaulieu- F- uck you
Pilut- C I'm not going to give a young guy playing a larger role a terrible grade but I do think he's been a bit overhyped here.


Hutton- C- Underwhelming
Ullmark- C Flashes of greatness. Not nearly enough for us to be content going into the offseason though.

Isn't Skinner 2nd in goals in the NHL? I am not the only one having trouble with grading

 

[Tatre]

I understand giving Skinner a B because defense still sucks, and seems to have trouble playing with others despite the goal pile.

 

[TheDawnOfANewTage]

Eichel- B+
Skinner- B
Reinhart- B He's putting up points and he's made a leap offensively. Still has his flaws and the #2 pick rep will hang over his head for his entire career, but I'm satisfied with
Mittelstadt- C- I think he's shown enough flashes to be optimistic about him next year. This was never going to be an easy season for him. At least the skill is as good as advertised and that's a lot harder to teach than adding muscle.
Thompson- C- I have less optimism about him than Mittelstadt but I would kick the tires on him another year before making a judgment.
Pominville- C He's been exactly what I expected. No complaints but he's not impressing me at any point either.
Sheary- D+ On pace for sub-40 points which is pretty disappointing for the opportunities he's had.
Okposo- D- Can't give him an F since he has 10 goals which is...something I guess. And I like him as a locker room presence.
Rodrigues- D+ There's always one guy like him on this squad. Lot of hustle, looks like he gives a ****...but just lacks the skillset to be anything more than a tweener. It's frustrating to watch him but I guess he for the most part tries.
Sobotka- F - [mod]
Girgensons- D+ Everything I said about Rodrigues but you were a FIRST ROUND PICK. I guess he's physical as well. I don't know, perhaps he could have benefited from a good coach.
Larsson- C- My favorite non-top 6 player. I think he's going to have a late-blooming career but probably not with us. He's underwhelming more often than I'd like but of all the bottom line guys. he's the one who is most defensible.


Risto- C He's beyond a liability on defense right now and that's really troubling at this point in his career. Maybe he's a specialist at this point. I can't give him below a C because he's been aggressive and offensively involved but his own zone is a mess.
Dahlin- B He's a teenager and he's on pace for over 40 points. He's also been our best defender on the ice for games at a time. He needs to be headier with the puck and play with a bit more focus but I'm not going to harp on what has otherwise been a Calder-level year.
Bogosian- B- When healthy, he's been our best defenseman quite often. I don't know if that speaks more to him playing better or the team playing ****tier. He's fine for what he is, the injuries are just always an issue.
McCabe- C- Tailed off this season and I think this is his norm, not the guy who was playing above and beyond earlier in the season.
Scandella- D Really disappointed me
Beaulieu- F- [mod]
Pilut- C I'm not going to give a young guy playing a larger role a terrible grade but I do think he's been a bit overhyped here.


Hutton- C- Underwhelming
Ullmark- C Flashes of greatness. Not nearly enough for us to be content going into the offseason though.

Lol the "Sobotka- [mod]" is hilarious. Feels like ya still said what ya meant to say.

Anyways, I don't wanna do this.. whole team gets a C+/B-. Coaching gets an F.
I like the steps individuals have taken. Eichel's had a great year overall, Skinner has flaws but ya can't argue goals, Reinhart has surprised me, ERod looks like a legit NHLer which is nice, Mitts has improved tremendously, Tage has shown flashes of being a f***ing superstar but really needs a coach to figure it out..

and that's my problem. Our coach. It's all been said before, but at this point the team just looks lost overall. The talent is there, I would understand if it doesn't happen this year, but players aren't being put in positions to succeed. The D especially- Risto can't play 25 a night, Scandella can't play at all, Dahlin seems ready for 22, 23 minutes, how is Sobotka at 15 minutes, the lines and pairings are all a mess, the system seems broken.

I really do like our young talent, I think we can succeed with them and a few other pieces once Poms, Okposo, and Scandella are gone, but I worry about their development with this guidance.

 

[dortt]

Graded based upon performance relative to the NHL, NOT based upon exceeding personal expectations

Eichel: A
Skinner: A-
Reinhart: A-
Risto: B-
Dahlin: B-
Sheary: C+
Pilut: C+
Bogo: C
Pominville: C
EROD: C
McCabe: C
Hutton: C (not good considering his start)
Ullmark: C (see Hutton)
Mittlestadt: C-
Okposo: C- (he MUST be better than this)
Larsson: D+
Beaulieu: D+
Scandella: D (this one is killing us big time)
Girgs: D (acceptable for a 4th liner, they SHOULD be below average)
Sobotka: F (he is NOT an NHL level player this year. He hasn't even provided any physical presence ever since getting hurt in a fight opening night. How he is playing every night defies any and all logic)
Thompson: F (needs to go down to Rochester and grow up big time!)

Need to remove the non NHL level players and get Smith in there for more games, as when he has played, he has been at the C+ level. He promptly gets benched for a player who probably should be in the ECHL

Housley: F. Not an NHL level coach

 

[Icicle]

Hard to do grades when so many players have been tied to anchors all season with little reprieve. Mittelstadt is on a point streak and looking great now that he’s not stapled to Okposo and Sobotka. Pominville is completely useless without a playmaker ok his line and he spent half the season without one. Bogo has had Dahlin covering his breakouts for him all season making him look decent.


Can give Sobotka a big fat F, he’s useless even in a 4th line limited role.

Okposo is a D. You shouldn’t be paying what you are for a 4th line, but that’s all he’s good at. He would get a C from me because he’s decent at that and shoots on the PP2 which they need, but he still takes way too many avoidable stick penalties.

Thompson has had ups and downs, but his downs have largely been due to who he is stuck with. At least as of late. He was forcing personal errors early season but has largely gotten over them. He’s getting silly penalties now that’s earning him scratches, but some of them are weak too. Poor guy has had the worst of the Sobotka treatment though. I’ll give him a C

Reinhart is an F with Eichel and an A without. He plays down when with his buddy, but this is more of a coaching problem than a personal one given how long it’s gone on.

Rodrigues is an A. Guy has been a plug for us all season on the leagues cheapest contract. Thank god he’s best friends with Eichel and will probably stay cheap to stay around.

We would be last place without Skinner. Yes, he has his warts, but they’re way overblown. He should be stapled to Eichel for the better part of the next decade. Hopefully we can make sure that happens.

Girgensons and Larsson have been the rocks holding this team steady. Those two make such a great minute munching hard hitting line that is so important for this team. And they do it despite that rotating RW that has been a bad fit for half the season. I hope Botterill is able to re sign both of these guys to friendly deals. Huge As for these two.

Sheary is streaky. As was advertised. I probably would have preferred Smith in his role all season, but I don’t mind the slow cooking. C for him.

Eichel a B. He can be better but he’s the team’s all star every night and that’s expecting a lot out of him. I’ve seen the growth I would want I’m not worried. I think the power play has suffered because he’s gotten too passive though and that’s on him.


Tons of young players lots of room for improvement from within. So refreshing compared to year’s past. Or should I say a decades past.

Giving Housley a D though. His love for Sobotka is unforgivable. He’s doing some good line changes now, but it’s twenty games too late. Good coaches are able to mix things up mid playoff series to fine tune and get things right. He is too slow to react, which shows me he doesn’t quite understand why combinations haven’t been working. I like his system though unlike coaches of past like Bylsma, which is the only thing saving him from an F.

 

[buffalowing88]

Isn't Skinner 2nd in goals in the NHL? I am not the only one having trouble with grading

Yeah...I guess I just don't like his all-around game as much. Honestly, his goal scoring is enough to merit something higher though. I should have gone A-

 

[buffalowing88]

Lol the "Sobotka- [mod]" is hilarious. Feels like ya still said what ya meant to say.

Anyways, I don't wanna do this.. whole team gets a C+/B-. Coaching gets an F.
I like the steps individuals have taken. Eichel's had a great year overall, Skinner has flaws but ya can't argue goals, Reinhart has surprised me, ERod looks like a legit NHLer which is nice, Mitts has improved tremendously, Tage has shown flashes of being a ****ing superstar but really needs a coach to figure it out..

and that's my problem. Our coach. It's all been said before, but at this point the team just looks lost overall. The talent is there, I would understand if it doesn't happen this year, but players aren't being put in positions to succeed. The D especially- Risto can't play 25 a night, Scandella can't play at all, Dahlin seems ready for 22, 23 minutes, how is Sobotka at 15 minutes, the lines and pairings are all a mess, the system seems broken.

I really do like our young talent, I think we can succeed with them and a few other pieces once Poms, Okposo, and Scandella are gone, but I worry about their development with this guidance.

I like your analysis! I definitely am happy to see some more positive feedback about Tage and Casey. Those guys were put in a tough position. I think they could improve by leaps and bounds next year after the experiences they've had this season. I'm fine with them, warts and all.

 

[Beerz]

Eichel --- A) .. would of been an A+ if it weren't for last 6-8 games

Skinner - B+) I still reall hate this guy but ...dude buries goals.

Reinhart - B) Doing better as of late.

Sheary - D-) .. He's garbage.

Thompson - D ) Saving grace is he is young.

Mitts - C+ ) Needs to get in shape. He's been put in a bad spot.

Pominville - C- ) Still plugging along...barely.

Okposo - D+ ) All the effort in the world but he just isn't right .. and has a poopy contract

Larsson - C) Doing work ..has been much better this year.

Girgensons C+) Just a horse where ever he is.

Erod- B-) Some good ..some bad.

Sobotka - FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF

Elie - FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF

CJ Smith -- C ) Has looked good in his few games.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dahlin - B+ ... Such poise.

Risto - C+

Bogo C+ ..

McCabe C ..

Scandella FFFFFFFFF

Pilut C

Blow You -- D

Nelson .. D

Hunwick D

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Hutton C .. started well ... disappointing lately

Ullmark C+

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Phil Housley -- FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF


Jason Botterill --------- FFFFF ... Skinner saved him a lot more F's

 

[CatsforReinhart]

Yeah...I guess I just don't like his all-around game as much. Honestly, his goal scoring is enough to merit something higher though. I should have gone A-

I guess I grade a player based on who he is not on his position. Like if a defensive forward is playing really good defensively but doesn't score wouldn't he get an A?

Grading for me is a bit difficult because its only the last 10 games that stick.
Same Reinhart had 1 goal in his first 16 games. He should get a C but people see his last 15 games and dude is getting As and B+

Sure it is all opinion I was just thinking how it would be easier to break the season grading down into quarterly segments.

 

[dortt]

I guess I grade a player based on who he is not on his position. Like if a defensive forward is playing really good defensively but doesn't score wouldn't he get an A?

Grading for me is a bit difficult because its only the last 10 games that stick.
Same Reinhart had 1 goal in his first 16 games. He should get a C but people see his last 15 games and dude is getting As and B+

Sure it is all opinion I was just thinking how it would be easier to break the season grading down into quarterly segments.

Reinhart deserves those high grades due to his body of work over the season. Going nearly a point per game is not anywhere close to a C level player

 

[Dreakon13]

Forwards:
Skinner, Jeff - A
30+ goals after only 50 some games and growing. After years of not having finishers on the team, Skinner has been a godsend.

Eichel, Jack - A
Cap'n Jack absolutely hit another level this year.

Reinhart, Sam - A-
Sammy also hit another level this year. He isn't the complete package or the physical freak that Eichel is IMO, but give him talent to play with and he'll blow up.

Larsson, Johan - B+
A key piece to one of the best 4th lines we've had in years.

Girgensons, Zemgus - B+
See Larsson, Johan.

Rodrigues, Evan - B
The motor on this kid in crazy. The talent might not always match the motor, but hopefully he's in our middle 6 for years to come.

Sheary, Conor - C+
He's as advertised, a very hot and cold player. Love him when he's on, adds nothing when he's off.

Mittelstadt, Casey - C
Expected better out of Casey but he's clearly learning and getting better as the year goes on.

Thompson, Tage - C-
I think the kid has more potential and talent than his analytics show... but his analytics are bad and he doesn't pass the eye test either most nights. As he matures, I think the good games will happen more often than the bad ones... and he's had some very good games this year.

Pominville, Jason - D+
I think his dropoff happened more because of getting taken off the 1st line, than his age or slowing down... but it has to be noted how badly he dropped off. I still think he's passable as a player and a solid vet in the room though. Probably shouldn't re-sign him (if they do, pay him like the 13th forward that he probably should be).

Okposo, Kyle - D
Even if you can get over the idea that his play will never live up to his contract... the fact his play isn't even remotely close really hurts the team. The effort is there at least.

Sobotka, Vladimír - F+
Meh. I think he's talented but the effort/production isn't there. Agree with those who say he's just going through the motions til his contract is up.


Defense:
Dahlin, Rasmus - B+
More rookie moments than I would've expected given the hype... but he's 18 and a phenomenal hockey player.

Ristolainen, Rasmus - B
Guy is very questionable around his own net, but is a beast just about everywhere else.

Pilut, Lawrence - C+
I dunno. Everyone loves Pilut, but IMO he's kinda like Bogosian/McCabe if they were a little smaller, a little less reliable defensively but a bit better offensively. Lots of potential though.

Bogosian, Zach - C
Isn't a liability, but isn't blowing anyone away either. About all you can ask for. Impressed he's been healthy.

McCabe, Jake - C
See Bogosian, Zach.

Beaulieu, Nathan - C-
He's been much better this year, in a contract year. Good enough to get some value in a trade hopefully, please don't re-sign him.

Scandella, Marco - D-
Completely fell off this year.


Goalies:
Ullmark, Linus - B
Still get floppy, overcommitting Linus from time to time that makes me weary to trust him too much... but it seems to work for him. He's been solid this year.

Hutton, Carter - C
Started out really strong, but gets a C for "C"ooled off immensely since then.