Hen Kolland
Registered User
- Feb 22, 2018
- 9,496
- 8,397
That's not Patrice Bergeron lite. That's Patrice Bergeron. 55-60 points and stellar 2-way play. Patrice Bergeron lite would be the defensive play but like 45 points.
I think you are underselling Bergeron. Over his last 4 seasons he is running a 82 game average of roughly 33 goals and 42 assists for 75 points. While winning about 58% of faceoffs, and maintaining a Corsi of 58%. He is a shut down two way center who can pot 30+ goals and should be able to log in at a point per game in full season. As good as he is, I still think he is underrated.
Bergeron's peak has been my high water mark hopes for Larkin. Larkin looks like he will be able to hit the offensive end without issue, but he needs to work on discipline and can still improve defensively.
For me, I think Veleno will make his mark more offensive than he will defensive. I don't view Veleno as a shut down candidate right now, I think we are dealing with a high IQ center who knows where to position himself and has the "give-a-damn" to be proactive on both ends of the ice. Offensively, I think the skill is there, and I will fully admit I'm more on board the hype train than most, but I think the name I would throw out as a lite comparable would be Barkov. Plus hands and puckhandling, really makes his money with his hockey sense and vision as a playmaker. I think the main difference is Veleno will be a more dynamic skater (speed and agility), whereas Barkov has more of a power style of play. Again, not going to say that Veleno will be at the level of Barkov, but a player who is known for primarily the same methods of production with different physical traits to get it done. I have no issue with saying Veleno could be a 50-60 point guy in the future. Could be more, could obviously be less.