Player Discussion: 2019 HFBolts Current Player Rankings #8

[Stormbreaker]

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 RW NIKITA KUCHEROV
71.4% of votes

#2 LD VICTOR HEDMAN
66.7% of votes

#3 C BRAYDEN POINT
43.9% of votes

#4 G ANDREI VASILEVSKIY
61.1% of votes

#5 C STEVEN STAMKOS
87.5% of votes

#6 LD RYAN MCDONAGH
73.0% of votes

#7 C/RW Tyler Johnson
50% of votes

#9 ???????

Click to read more...

 

[LightningStrikes]

Tony C

 

[Todd1a]

Ya I agree tony C

 

[DFC]

I might have to go Cernak. Making cases for him, Cirelli, and Gourde in my head. Cernak is definitely the "shiny new thing," but man... he was really, really good. And not just for a rookie.

 

[JoVel]

I might have to go Cernak. Making cases for him, Cirelli, and Gourde in my head. Cernak is definitely the "shiny new thing," but man... he was really, really good. And not just for a rookie.

I think he'd be #7 if he had say two seasons at the level he was for those 58 games this season, but I'll give others the edge due to longevity. Cirelli, Gourde, and then I'd go with Cernak.

 

[DFC]

I think he'd be #7 if he had say two seasons at the level he was for those 58 games this season, but I'll give others the edge due to longevity. Cirelli, Gourde, and then I'd go with Cernak.

Agreed. At the same, he turned into a legit #3 overnight and rarely had the usual rookie speedbumps. If he's actually a legit 3D, then it's hard not to value that over middle-six forwards. I mean, Cirelli's kind of in the same boat except he played a handful more games. So I guess between cernak and Cirelli, I go cernak. But gourde has a 60 point season under his belt, and has scored 20 twice. So I think it's between those two for me.

 

[Five Alarm Fire]

Cirelli. Our best defensive center with a scoring touch that's coming along nicely. I expect more big steps from him this year.

 

[Stormbreaker]

Thoughts on this pic?

 

[TeslaCoilFan]

Rocko. It's getting closer now but I went with Cirelli due to his defensive ability as a center and sneaky goodness. Though Gourde and Cernak and even Killorn were tempting.

 

[TeslaCoilFan]

BTW, some possible contributions to the 'shirtless' meme.

Kuch catching some sun at the beach.

Vasy rollerblading down Bayshore Blvd. in Tampa

Pointer from an article about scars from injuries in hockey after he took a puck to the face.

More to come...

 

[DFC]

The more I think about it, the more I'm not sure Cirelli has a case over Cernak. I know Cirelli was great, but Cernak was probably better in the 58 games he played. He was only a hair behind McDonagh as our best shutdown D, and that's saying something. Also probably our best player in the sweep, which I know doesn't mean much, and Cirelli might have been our only other player who performed above expectations. Maybe Paquette.

I know Cirelli's gonna win this running away, but I think I'm gonna go Cernak. It feels like Cirelli's sample size is larger, but it's really not THAT much larger.

 

[TeslaCoilFan]

Mac fishing

Johnny enjoying the water with a friend.

Only could find semi-shirtless on Rocko. From the Draft Combine. Though the helmet one is cute.

 

[Krewe]

Someone tweet at him for a pic

 

[These Are The Days]

BTW, some possible contributions to the 'shirtless' meme.

Kuch catching some sun at the beach.

Vasy rollerblading down Bayshore Blvd. in Tampa

Pointer from an article about scars from injuries in hockey after he took a puck to the face.

More to come...

@Post Karl Malone

TCF in the clutch

 

[Stormbreaker]

@TeslaCoilFan updated

 

[God King Fudge]

@Post Karl Malone

TCF in the clutch

Vasy is ripped man lol

 

[Rschmitz]

I think he'd be #7 if he had say two seasons at the level he was for those 58 games this season, but I'll give others the edge due to longevity. Cirelli, Gourde, and then I'd go with Cernak.

I'd put him at 5 or 6 if he played at this seasons level for two seasons

Voted Cernak

 

[DFC]

I'd put him at 5 or 6 if he played at this seasons level for two seasons

Voted Cernak

Still tough to put him over McDonagh if McDonagh continues at last year's level. Point, Kuch, Stammer, Hedman, Vasy... Tough to find a spot for Cernak in there, unless he takes another big step.

I voted him here too and think he can hit #7, but 6 would probably have to involve a drop-off in somebody else's play.

 

[Rschmitz]

Still tough to put him over McDonagh if McDonagh continues at last year's level. Point, Kuch, Stammer, Hedman, Vasy... Tough to find a spot for Cernak in there, unless he takes another big step.

I voted him here too and think he can hit #7, but 6 would probably have to involve a drop-off in somebody else's play.

I thought he was on par with McDonagh or even looked better after the first 20 games or so when McD started to look human, plus he had a killer playoffs. I'd be a fool to project that, but if we are guaranteeing he plays at that level, I'd give him an edge. Plus he's a righty.