Player Discussion Colin Blackwell

[Machinehead]

It's obviously been a small sample and we'll see what happens but RIGHT NOW it's not 6 guys going for 3 spots. Blackwell is in and it's 5 guys going for 3 spots.

Yes, Lemieux and Rooney have been good 4th liners and PDG and Howden have been ok 4th liners. Blackwell has been a 2nd liner.

 

[and 99 others]

Blackwell is just the new Jayson Megna. The novelty will wear off in a few weeks

normally agree with your takes but this is wrong. With his work ethic and talent this honestly looks like a Marchessault-esque breakout

 

[will1066]

I think Blackwell is going to struggle against more physical defensive groups.

He's an ideal utility player for this team in that- when everyone's healthy, I'd have him as a 4th liner, but certainly he has the hands and IQ to play top 9 role when needed.

Similar to Dominic Moore in that respect.

But when everyone is healthy there will be some decisions for Quinn as to who sits. PDG, Howden, Blackwell, Lemieux, Rooney are five guys fighting over likely 3 slots.

The Bruins are. He was fine.

 

[NoQuitInNewMexico]

Expansion draft is interesting too of course. Seven forward protection spots: Panarin/Kreider/Zibanejad, Chytil, Buch, then two out of Blackwell/Howden/Gauthier/Lemieux/Strome. Guess there will be more info on Blackwell and Gauthier by the end of the season.

 

[Machinehead]

Idk if he keeps being this good but how great would it be to get a complete rando that sticks like Pittsburgh and Tampa get every f***ing year?

 

[HatTrick Swayze]

#43 is a pretty fitting choice so far IMO. Hope he can keep it up.

 

[EXTRAS]

Blackwell is just the new Jayson Megna. The novelty will wear off in a few weeks

Blackwell is just the new Yanni Gourde.

 

[True Blue]

So far this kids been great but why do I feel like there's another ridiculous long term, Smith type contract on the horizon?

Because you cannot possibly exist without making every single topic about how you hate Quinn and Gorton?

The floor is yours. Please enlighten all as to what kind of Neil Smith type deal that you see Gorton & JD lavishing on the kid. Let’s not keep us waiting......

 

[Machinehead]

We could probably retain him for cheap if we decide to do so.

I absolutely love small players in a cap league. Cannot stress that enough. It's automatic price lowering.

 

[will1066]

#43 is a pretty fitting choice so far IMO. Hope he can keep it up.

next year, he needs a different number.

 

[FireGerardGallant]

Hes in the top 6 rn cuz 3 top 6 players are currently out. Really like Blackwell hope we protect him in the expansion draft

 

[Igor Shestyorkin]

next year, he needs a different number.

nah that number is beautifully ugly, like the way he plays. just grind.

 

[HatTrick Swayze]

next year, he needs a different number.

Too bad 24 is taken.

 

[FireGerardGallant]

No one complains about him as a player just that he’s on PP1 instead of Laf.

If there’s anyone to complain about on pp1 its Strome not Blackwell

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

normally agree with your takes but this is wrong. With his work ethic and talent this honestly looks like a Marchessault-esque breakout

Wouldn't go that far, but he's good.

 

[Raspewtin]

I think Blackwell is going to struggle against more physical defensive groups.

feel like we say this about every player ever that we don’t have full faith in

 

[NYRFANMANI]

2nd liner is a bit much, no? Have our expectations fallen so low?

Agree on great looking bottom six player. Best case he's a cheap Fast replacement.

I'll be watching his passing closely.

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

feel like we say this about every player ever that we don’t have full faith in

I feel like its a statement that you can apply to most of our roster.

It's a weird one to apply to Blackwell though. 3 of his 4 goals this year have come off of deflections, you don't really get those goals in open space away from traffic (2 of his 3 last year basically came in the crease too. Technically it was 3 of 3, but one of them was an odd man rush so that doesn't really count.)

If the worry is about his body holding up, I can buy that. He may fall apart, but he'll do so trying to work through the chaos.

 

[Synergy27]

I don’t see a fourth liner here. He’s too small and spends too much time getting cleaned out to play that role.

I see a middle six player that can actually score, and as @Machinehead said, it would be cool if he became our Bryan Rust or Roope Hintz.

I have no clue what to do with him long term though. Way too many wingers with even more good ones inbound (Kravtsov, Pajuniemi, etc.).

 

[will1066]

nah that number is beautifully ugly, like the way he plays. just grind.

I can't argue with this

 

[RangersFan1994]

this guy is a minor leaguer forced into a situation and taken advantage of it. nothing new here. it shows that prospects aren't ready and the lack of depth. he is a 27 year old and wasn't an NHL regular for a reason. its not like hes a 23 year old and wasn't given a fair chance like GOAT who I like. . he is this year's Paul Carey Matt Puempel type of signing. shows lack of depth in the organization.

 

[Synergy27]

this guy is a minor leaguer forced into a situation and taken advantage of it. nothing new here. it shows that prospects aren't ready and the lack of depth. he is a 27 year old and wasn't an NHL regular for a reason. its not like hes a 23 year old and wasn't given a fair chance like GOAT who I like. . he is this year's Paul Carey Matt Puempel type of signing. shows lack of depth in the organization.

Blackwell has about the same amount of points in 1/3 the games as Puempel did in his year here. Sure, he was signed to be this year’s Puempel, but he’s destroyed that expectation.

Sure, he may just recede back into obscurity, but hell, maybe he won’t.

 

[haveandare]

this guy is a minor leaguer forced into a situation and taken advantage of it. nothing new here. it shows that prospects aren't ready and the lack of depth. he is a 27 year old and wasn't an NHL regular for a reason. its not like hes a 23 year old and wasn't given a fair chance like GOAT who I like. . he is this year's Paul Carey Matt Puempel type of signing. shows lack of depth in the organization.

He’s performing way better than a minor leaguer. That’s not an accurate label for him based on what is happening. Also this organization has very good wing depth... it’s the deepest position by a good bit.

 

[and 99 others]

this guy is a minor leaguer forced into a situation and taken advantage of it. nothing new here. it shows that prospects aren't ready and the lack of depth. he is a 27 year old and wasn't an NHL regular for a reason. its not like hes a 23 year old and wasn't given a fair chance like GOAT who I like. . he is this year's Paul Carey Matt Puempel type of signing. shows lack of depth in the organization.

do you watch the games? Serious question.

 

[Igor Shestyorkin]

I get the skepticism with Blackwell because he is older and hasn't had a full time NHL job mostly but, every developmental path takes a different turn. His has just happened to be a wild one. Who's to say he can't continue to be an effective NHLer?

If a player continues to play well with every opportunity he gets and every stint he gets, maybe he just deserves to have a prolonged look that teams for whatever reason aren't giving him.