Player Discussion: Brayden Point

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tjs*

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Mar 18, 2016
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I agree with those of you who want to see Point keep a regular spot in the lineup. Not only has he earned it with his play but the scoring depth he gives us could be our X-factor this postseason and the more NHL experience we can get him the better. If he starts to struggle we can send him back down but until then let's keep him where he is.

I also agree with those who mentioned Vladdy's lack of strength. IMO that is the biggest thing holding him back at this point; it's been especially apparent in the playoffs when the game gets more physical. I still think he has a good deal of potential but if he doesn't start seriously hitting the weight room I'm not all that confident that he'll reach it.

Now that said I do think we need to keep playing him on a regular basis and to give him more time at 3C, at least early in the season, so that we can get as a clear a picture as possible of what we have in him. Despite Kucherov's cheap bridge deal we're still probably looking at losing at least two of Filppula, Callahan, Killorn, Palat, and Johnson next summer; the question is whether Namestnikov is in our longterm plans as a replacement for one of them or if he's expendable. Yzerman will need to know this to help guide his moves both this season and in the next offseason, and now is the time to find that out.
 

DFC

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Sep 26, 2013
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We'll see where we're at 8-10 games from now. Our prospects have a long history of coming up with blazing starts, but then the schedule (or something) starts getting the better of them. Somehow, I feel like that might not happen with Point (I think it'll probably happen with Koekkoek though). I think we'll take advantage of this little window we have to assess him. So far, so good. He's definitely making it feel like we won't be icing our best possible team if he's the odd man out once Callahan gets back.

That said, I still think it's pretty close. Feels like it's Point vs. Namestnikov right now, unless Cooper wants to break up our 4th line (which I believe has been too good to break up, but who am I?). We all know my feelings on Namestnikov, and I feel like Point has been the more effective player through three games, but if it's close between the two of them, I feel like Point will go down to Syracuse, and maybe we'll bring someone like Conacher back up if we can.
 

Todd1a

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Jun 19, 2014
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Won't have to send anyone down. Cally is not on the IR. With the way Vladdy and Brown have been under performing, can always rotate them in the press box while Point keeps a spot.

I would love to see a line of Point - Flip - Callahan. Would be good for everyone on that line, Cally and Flip will have a guy who can actually finish and make plays, and Point will learn a strong two way defensive game skating with those two. Vladdy has just not been strong enough this season so far.
Personally I'd love to see them trade flipulla get him off our books someone must need a decent center!?
 

Byrddog

Lifer
Nov 23, 2007
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Unless we are extremely lucky there are going to be injuries. So Point can be held on the team, there will also be times others need a game or two in the pressbox for lets say motivation. If the kid continues to play this well theres not much he could learn in the AHL at this point.
 

Sky04

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Jan 8, 2009
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Unless we are extremely lucky there are going to be injuries. So Point can be held on the team, there will also be times others need a game or two in the pressbox for lets say motivation. If the kid continues to play this well theres not much he could learn in the AHL at this point.

No he could very well benefit from the AHL, he's getting chances on the doorstep but he's far from generating his own offense, and he's looking good because he's playing with energy. As expected, he has a harder time shaking off defenders then he did in the pre-season and has far less time to make decisions when facing NHL regulars, I could easily see Point only having 3-5 points after 15 games.

Unless he takes another step forward, he could use more seasoning.
 

Hoek

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May 12, 2003
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One problem is he's playing at wing here. I'd like him to play center and learn that, as that's probably his long term role with us.
 

Volodya Krutov

Lost Cosmonaut
Jan 18, 2012
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He looks terrifically suited to play on the wing and with the logjam at center I don't see that as a problem for this season. Win now.
 

Byrddog

Lifer
Nov 23, 2007
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No he could very well benefit from the AHL, he's getting chances on the doorstep but he's far from generating his own offense, and he's looking good because he's playing with energy. As expected, he has a harder time shaking off defenders then he did in the pre-season and has far less time to make decisions when facing NHL regulars, I could easily see Point only having 3-5 points after 15 games.

Unless he takes another step forward, he could use more seasoning.

In the last 15 years there have been maybe 10 players I would have said would not benifit from some time in the AHL in fact I think most players do not spend enough time down there. But this kid is different. He is making the plays NHL guys make. The only reason I would see is my rule of not wasting a year for 4th line minutes. But then again this is a different team than most. our 4th line is better than most teams 3rd lines and as good as some teams 2nd lines. Coop has a chance to roll four lines and just wear teams down. So AHL or not for Point the kid is ready for a larger role. Hmmm Perhaps move some cap not named Flip like everyone wants????
 

DFC

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In the last 15 years there have been maybe 10 players I would have said would not benifit from some time in the AHL in fact I think most players do not spend enough time down there. But this kid is different. He is making the plays NHL guys make. The only reason I would see is my rule of not wasting a year for 4th line minutes. But then again this is a different team than most. our 4th line is better than most teams 3rd lines and as good as some teams 2nd lines. Coop has a chance to roll four lines and just wear teams down. So AHL or not for Point the kid is ready for a larger role. Hmmm Perhaps move some cap not named Flip like everyone wants????

He would benefit from being THE guy at a pro level.

The question is simply whether or not that outweighs the team's current needs, where he looks like he's making us stronger.
 

PaulGG

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May 15, 2011
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He is on IR though just not LTIR. So he has to sit of 7 days, no game limit and not 24 days and 10 games. Namestnikov and Brown aren't underperforming, they just haven't looked as good as some of our other forwards but they're not a detriment to the team.

There's no reason to keep Point up though. Namestnikov and Brown just got new 2 year deals this offseason no reason to bench either of them for a kid who should be in Syracuse or a player coming back from a major injury who was worse than both of them last year. Until one of them or Paquette completely looks terrible I wouldn't change the forwards for Callahan yet.

I agree Namey, Brown and Paquette have been good and they have played their roles . Point has looked dangerous offensively
 

Sky04

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Jan 8, 2009
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He would benefit from being THE guy at a pro level.

The question is simply whether or not that outweighs the team's current needs, where he looks like he's making us stronger.

Is it THAT much of a difference though? All he's really doing is providing energy, as critical as I am about Callahan, with a renergized Lightning team I believe he can scored 45-55 points which in all likelihood is higher than Point will put up this year, while brning much more to the game. If Callahan takes 3rd line RW, that either pushes him to the left side and bumping down Vlad or pushing Point the 4th line, as Hose pointed out, we just signed Namestnikov to a 2 year deal there's no way he's getting benched while Point is AHL eligable. Now if he was putting up numbers that'd be a different story.
 

Byrddog

Lifer
Nov 23, 2007
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Can Point replace Namestnkinov? That might be a option looked at if he can you can move Names for a pretty nice return save cap for two years. Yeah it sucks thinking of moving Names but how many high end centers can you support on the team. They are highly desired across the league. One of them will have to be moved eventually, heck maybe both if they play center hold them thru there ELC and RFA years if you can I guess. I hate to see guys that can play center moved over to wing just because a team does not have a place for them. Especially when they are capable of being a 1 or 2 C which as it looks both of these guys may be able at some point.
 

HoseEmDown

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Mar 25, 2012
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If Point has the potential everyone seems to be pinning him to than he should be compared to Johnson and not Namestnikov. Namestnikov will be a good 3C but not a 2C on a good team, 45 point potential. Everyone already has Point ahead of Namestnikov who hit 35 last year playing mostly the bottom 6 so Point should get that or more this year. He should be pushing Johnson for the 2C job next season, that is where we should look to make a decision to have Point as a cheaper 2C than Johnson and Namestnikov a cheaper 3C than Filppula. Johnson could net us a nice return in a trade and ease our cap burden too if Point is as good as everyone seems to think.
 

DFC

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Is it THAT much of a difference though? All he's really doing is providing energy, as critical as I am about Callahan, with a renergized Lightning team I believe he can scored 45-55 points which in all likelihood is higher than Point will put up this year, while brning much more to the game. If Callahan takes 3rd line RW, that either pushes him to the left side and bumping down Vlad or pushing Point the 4th line, as Hose pointed out, we just signed Namestnikov to a 2 year deal there's no way he's getting benched while Point is AHL eligable. Now if he was putting up numbers that'd be a different story.

That's the question, I think. But I do believe it's more Point vs. Namestnikov in the immediate future than Point vs. Callahan. Can Point be good enough to push Namestnikov to the pressbox? Right now, I think Point has been better than Namestnikov, but, yeah, like you said, I don't think the margin has been so great that Point won't get demoted anyway.

But I do think he's done enough in these three games that he should get a legit shot over the next 8-10 games (however long Callahan is out) to push Namestnikov out of the lineup (as in Point-Flip-Callahan vs. Namestnikov-Flip-Callahan). I think he needs to blow us away in order to stay up. I don't think he's done that yet, but I do think he's shown enough promise that he might do that (blow us away) by the time Callahan gets back. I still think odds are in favor of him going down though.
 

Sky04

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Jan 8, 2009
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That's the question, I think. But I do believe it's more Point vs. Namestnikov in the immediate future than Point vs. Callahan. Can Point be good enough to push Namestnikov to the pressbox? Right now, I think Point has been better than Namestnikov, but, yeah, like you said, I don't think the margin has been so great that Point won't get demoted anyway.

But I do think he's done enough in these three games that he should get a legit shot over the next 8-10 games (however long Callahan is out) to push Namestnikov out of the lineup (as in Point-Flip-Callahan vs. Namestnikov-Flip-Callahan). I think he needs to blow us away in order to stay up. I don't think he's done that yet, but I do think he's shown enough promise that he might do that (blow us away) by the time Callahan gets back. I still think odds are in favor of him going down though.

I'd much rather see a Point-Filppula-Callahan line also but I have a hard time seeing it happen realistically. Unless you can accommodate a trade for Vlad so that he gets a legit shot elsewhere instead of benching him.
 

DFC

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I'd much rather see a Point-Filppula-Callahan line also but I have a hard time seeing it happen realistically. Unless you can accommodate a trade for Vlad so that he gets a legit shot elsewhere instead of benching him.

I'm not sure. When was the last time we healthy scratched Vlad? I'm thinking last year, but I might be off.

I do think it's unlikely, but I also think Point has done enough to keep the question open.

He's getting 15 minutes of ice per night right now, including 14:42 in a tough game vs. Florida. That's a lot more confidence than the coaching staff shows in the average rookie.

I think he looks like a kid who can contribute in the NHL right away, but, gotta say, part of me wants to see him lead the Syracuse Crunch in what will hopefully be a very good season.

All this rambling is basically me saying I'll be okay with either decision. ;)

Good problems to have.
 

Volodya Krutov

Lost Cosmonaut
Jan 18, 2012
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All I read is that we're currently having good problems, just like DFC said. There's never too much depth, Point outplayed Namestnikov so far but one, the sample size is ridiculously small and second, the 3rd line as a whole has been clicking. That thing could make a big difference when the going gets tough (injuries, playoffs). My guess once Callahan returns is that Point gets sent down and be instantly recalled when needed. I see him as a 3rd line winger that provides scoring depth, he'll be useful sooner or later, but one or two trips to Syracuse won't hamper his développement, quite the opposite IMO.
 

Byrddog

Lifer
Nov 23, 2007
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Some how Flip has to be moved and honestly sooner would be better than later. Callahan on the other hand if his surgery is successful and he comes back 100% he still have plenty left in the tank and keeping a veteran who is productive is always a good thing. The luxury of having so many young guys able to step in is a good and bad thing. Just last year Druion suffered the logjam as well as Killorn to a point. Now that both these guys are stabilized into a line I expect both to just explode. And I suppose you can hide guys like Vlady and Point in the bottom 6 for a while but you have to make decisions. Would moving one of these forwards for another top 4 defenseman help? The future looks great right now the team is solid and the depth is there. Yeah there will need to be some tweaks to stay under the cap but its not like Yzer will have to blow the whole thing up.
 

TheDaysOf 04

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Jun 23, 2007
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I hope Point skates with Cally. Will be good for both of them. A healthy Callahan will be productive, especially having a more skilled forward with him and Point will learn to play a strong two way game.

Cally's timetable is now looking at the end of this month for a return. So might have another 4 or 5 games, before decisions are made. If Point starts going on a tear, and Vladdy is still goalless then there is a possibility, Vladdy gets demoted to the 4th line, and Brown or Paquette goes to the press box. The only issue I see is that Brown and Paquette have paid their Cooper dues, Point has not, look at Koekkoek for one example. So either Brown, Paquette or Vladdy are going to have to start playing terrible, for a decision to bench them is even considered by Coop.

It doesn't even have to be about who is/who isn't playing well. I wouldn't mind rotating players in and out just to keep some guys fresh. Take Paquette for example, the player we're seeing now is not the guy we saw last year. He's one I'd look at to cycle in and out of the lineup to make sure his body doesn't get too beat up over the course of a full season like it has in the past. Then look at others who maybe won't like to, but would benefit from a day off. Gotta think about trying to keep this group as healthy as possible for another playoff run
 

Stormbreaker

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Apr 2, 2012
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When will Point finally break through and not just in the skills competition, it can't be much longer. He continues to impress me by his overall play on both ends of the ice.
 

Sky04

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Jan 8, 2009
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When will Point finally break through and not just in the skills competition, it can't be much longer. He continues to impress me by his overall play on both ends of the ice.

More likely to hit a wall then to start putting up better numbers imo. You only get so many looks and bounces before you need to pot them in, he has good hockey sense but his skillset just isn't polished enough for the NHL just yet. When Johnson came up he also had a ton of looks and missed a ton of chances, but he was much more physically developed at the time and you could tell he had a deadly shot, Point is a prime candidate to be worn down mid-season and with the shot he has he's going to have troubles scoring goals currently.

I don't see the need to rush him at this level just yet. Kid has good awareness offensively and defensively but I'd much rather see him up in 2 years and just be a difference maker rather than an energy guy/shootout specialist.
 

2020 Cup Champions

Formerly Sila v Kucherove
Nov 26, 2013
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More likely to hit a wall then to start putting up better numbers imo. You only get so many looks and bounces before you need to pot them in, he has good hockey sense but his skillset just isn't polished enough for the NHL just yet. When Johnson came up he also had a ton of looks and missed a ton of chances, but he was much more physically developed at the time and you could tell he had a deadly shot, Point is a prime candidate to be worn down mid-season and with the shot he has he's going to have troubles scoring goals currently.

I don't see the need to rush him at this level just yet. Kid has good awareness offensively and defensively but I'd much rather see him up in 2 years and just be a difference maker rather than an energy guy/shootout specialist.

I'm cautiously optimistic with Point. Consider what we thought we might have had in Kucherov in his first year.
 
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