Player Discussion: 2019 HFBolts Current Player Rankings #3

[LightningStrikes]

What would you answer when asked by a non-hockey fan: Who's the Lightning's best player? I mean, right now because I have tickets. Who should I watch out for?

Let's do that and go down the list.
Rules: None. The definition of "best" is entirely up to you.
Leave a post to let the world know why your pick is superior to all other picks.

#1 NIKITA KUCHEROV
71.4% of votes

#2 VICTOR HEDMAN
66.7% of votes​

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Click to read more...

 

[LightningStrikes]

I went with Stamkos. After several injuries he overcame the pressure to perform and reinvented himself. After a slow start he started to put up elite numbers while carrying his own line consisting of linemates Palat/Miller and Gourde while Kuch and Point wreaked havoc with Johnson. He finished 4th in goals league-wide (1st on the team), 9th in points (2nd on the team behind Kuch), 25th in assists (2nd on the team behind Kuch), 2nd in PPG (2nd on the team behind Point) and 2nd in PPP (2nd on the team behind Kuch). He's had the 2nd highest shot total on the Lightning (behind Kuch) and the 2nd highest shooting percentage (behind Point). He and Cirelli took most of the teams faceoffs (900+ each) and Stamkos finished 2nd in FOW% (behind Gourde).

He was a non-factor in the playoffs but the entire team was so whatever.

TL;DR: Voted Stamkos for "best comeback".

 

[Vasilevskiy]

Point.
Stamkos a close 2nd

 

[Todd1a]

I got to go Brayden Point on this one best two way center on the teamand he was only like 5 points behind stamkos

 

[Five Alarm Fire]

I went with our other award winner.

 

[CupsOverCash]

Went with Vasi. Despite his last 6 playoff starts he really has been an mvp for us. I think Point can be considered here too.

 

[These Are The Days]

I'm taking bets that Macho is gonna whoop some candy ass on anyone who picks a name other than Point. Bets starting at 4:1

 

[The Macho King]

I'm taking bets that Macho is gonna whoop some candy ass on anyone who picks a name other than Point. Bets starting at 4:1

I'd understand Vasi, although generally I think Vasi is a bit overrated. When hes on hes the best goalie on the planet, but he doesn't have the consistency yet.

 

[These Are The Days]

I'd understand Vasi, although generally I think Vasi is a bit overrated. When hes on hes the best goalie on the planet, but he doesn't have the consistency yet.

I actually feel the same. Vasy shows brilliant flashes here and there and wins us a lot of games like any top 5 player on the team. But Point makes every player he's with on offense better right NOW and has done it since day 1 -right down to being one of the few players who could play well with the streaky Filppula.

 

[God King Fudge]

Point is the right option. Vasy #4 and then Stamkos. That's how the top 5 will play out. Kind of gets trickier from there.

 

[JoVel]

Point is the right option. Vasy #4 and then Stamkos. That's how the top 5 will play out. Kind of gets trickier from there.

McDonagh is #6. Then it gets tricky.

 

[These Are The Days]

McDonagh is #6. Then it gets tricky.

Johnson's got a solid argument these days...

 

[DFC]

Johnson's got a solid argument these days...

Not over McDonagh.

 

[DFC]

It's really close between Stamkos and Point for me. I think, over all, Point has probably overtaken Stamkos as a player now, even with Stamkos's big year. That said, we didn't really use Point in a defensive role last year, at all, and that's really where he has an advantage over Stamkos, so Stamkos probably had the better season. But Point is likely the more important player, as of now, even if we didn't fully utilize his 200 foot game last year (removed him from the PK; Johnson had the bigger defensive role on their line).

I'll hold off on this one for a while.

 

[God King Fudge]

I'd take McDonagh at #6 as well, but it's the first spot where you could argue someone else.

1-5 are no questions may as well to skip directly to #6 level.

 

[LightningStrikes]

No love for the topless Hedman picture?

 

[DFC]

I'd take McDonagh at #6 as well, but it's the first spot where you could argue someone else.

1-5 are no questions may as well to skip directly to #6 level.

I don't know if you could. McDonagh was an absolute monster for half a season, and then he downgrade to "really, really good."

 

[JoVel]

You're a real psychic if you can tell who voted for Callahan without looking.

 

[God King Fudge]

No love for the topless Hedman picture?

My own special kind of love.

 

[The Macho King]

No love for the topless Hedman picture?

I've loved it to the limit of my refractory period.

 

[Leonardo87]

You're a real psychic if you can tell who voted for Callahan without looking.

 

[OurlordAndSaviorKuch]

Point, Stammer seems to have taken a step back.

 

[VinikToWinIt]

Point, Stammer seems to have taken a step back.

Interesting, I think last season was his best in years.

 

[Outl4w]

Interesting, I think last season was his best in years.

It was his best season in years he just rode 2nd fiddle to Kucherov. I think Stammer is a better player than Point though. Point is in his peak years and Stammer is at the second half of his prime years. Stamkos had less ice time and scores less points. Offensive point share for Stamkos is 10.1% and Point's is at 9.1%. I would say a non-peak Stamkos is still better than a peak Point. Stamkos also had more even strength and short-handed goals. Stamkos also drew 3% higher on the faceoff circle with 53%. I do not think there is any case to be made at Point being better than Stamkos.
2018-19 Tampa Bay Lightning Roster and Statistics | Hockey-Reference.com

 

[JoVel]

It was his best season in years he just rode 2nd fiddle to Kucherov. I think Stammer is a better player than Point though. Point is in his peak years and Stammer is at the second half of his prime years. Stamkos had less ice time and scores less points. Offensive point share for Stamkos is 10.1% and Point's is at 9.1%. I would say a non-peak Stamkos is still better than a peak Point. Stamkos also had more even strength and short-handed goals. Stamkos also drew 3% higher on the faceoff circle with 53%. I do not think there is any case to be made at Point being better than Stamkos.
2018-19 Tampa Bay Lightning Roster and Statistics | Hockey-Reference.com

We don't know what a peak Point is yet. Could this season be the best Point will ever have? Sure. But we also thought Kucherov had his peak in 2015. And then in 2016. And every year since. Point is just a bigger force on both ends of the ice than Stamkos. Just because we didn't really use him in a defensive position this season doesn't change the fact that he's the best defensive forward on our team.