Offseason Time Killing Thread: Individual Point Predictions

[Blanick]

What are you points predictions for our Blues players this year?

Mine are below and some will notice that I have extra forwards and defenseman. My predictions are projections over an 82 game season which not all players will play obviously.

Vladimir Tarasenko: 43 Goals / 40 Assist / 83 Points

Tarasenko breaks through this year after a lackluster season last year. Putting up both a new best in goals and points.

Ryan O'Reilly: 25 Goals / 39 Assist / 64 Points

O'Reilly matches his career best in points alongside the best winger he has ever played with.

Alexander Steen: 16 Goals / 35 Assist / 51 Points

With the new found depth added Steen finds a little bit of his lost offense and once again breaks 50 points.

Jaden Schwartz: 31 Goals / 42 Assist / 73 Points

Continued chemistry with Schenn leads to Jaden topping 30 goals for the first time in his career.

Brayden Schenn: 28 Goals / 45 Assist / 73 Points

Continues his chemistry with Schwartz and tops last years point totals.

Tyler Bozak: 14 Goals / 33 Assist / 47 Points

Bozak has been pretty consistent throughout his career and I don't think a new team will change that.

David Perron: 17 Goals / 33 Assist / 50 Points

DP57 takes a step back from his career year last season with Vegas but still puts up a respectable amount of points

Patrick Maroon: 12 Goals / 17 Assist / 29 Points

After proving he is not a top6 talent early in the year Maroon falls to the 4th line while getting net front PP time.

Dmitrij Jaskin: 6 Goals / 10 Assist / 16 Points

Jaskin is what he is at this point and that is a ~15 point 4th line checker.

Robby Fabbri: 14 Goals / 17 Assist / 31 Points

Robby has a slow start but finds his legs by Christmas and goes on tear on the second half ending the season strong.

Nikita Soshnikov: 7 Goals / 7 Assist / 14 Points

Hope he can stay healthy, I feel like he can be an ideal 4th liner.

Ivan Barbashev: 10 Goals / 16 Assist / 26 Points

Barbashev see's the platoon of prospects on the horizon looking to take his job and responds with his best NHL season.

Robert Thomas: 9 Goals / 29 Assist / 38 Points

Thomas comes in with a solid first season and flirts with 40 points.

Alex Pietrangelo: 17 Goals / 42 Assist / 59 Points

With the best offense he has ever had in front of him, the captain puts up career numbers

Colton Parayko: 14 Goals / 30 Assist / 44 Points

Colton finally utilizes his bomb of a shot and solidifies himself as a true top pairing defenseman.

Jay Bouwmeester: 2 Goals / 12 Assist / 14 Points

In a contract year Jaybo finds a little success in a lesser role.

Joel Edmundson: 6 Goals / 10 Assist / 16 Points

More known for his defense but Eddy will continue to have these odd offensive explosions at points throughout the year.

Carl Gunnarsson: 3 Goals / 6 Assist / 9 Points

Will be fighting for a spot on the roster and new contract after this year but he is what he is at this stage in his career.

Robert Bortuzzo: 2 Goals / 3 Assist / 5 Points

There will be less B'orr'tuzzo moments this year as I believe he will be splitting time with other players and never really get into a groove.

Vince Dunn: 9 Goals / 24 Assist / 33 Points

Dunn takes another step forward and proves he is true top 4 defenseman in this league.

Jordan Schmaltz: 4 Goals / 9 Assist / 13 Points

Finally he gets some solid ice time this year and former 1st round "project" performs well.

Jake Allen: .912 SV% / 2.55 GAA

Jake shows slight improvement at points this year but at the end of the day I feel like we are in for another meltdown

Chad Johnson: .910 / 2.59 GAA

I don't see Johnson being the savior when Allen has his annual meltdown and he finds himself in the AHL before years end.

Ville Husso: .922 SV% / 2.24 GAA

I don't think Husso will get 20 games but after Allen flounders and Johnson proves to not be the answer Husso will get his shot and steal the net away ala Murray in Pittsburg a few years ago.


Yes, I agree some of these are a bit optimistic but hey so am I.

Click to read more...

 

[shpongle falls]

I agree with pretty much all of this, seems pretty spot on. I was thinking recently if Tarasenko can find some chemistry with O'Reilly I could see Vladdy hitting 80+ points for the first time in his career. Also hope that a revitalized ROR can hit 70 points during the season and then goes beast mode in the playoffs. Maroon is going to be super excited playing for the Blues and I could see him getting 30-40 points playing in the top 9.

 

[Blanick]

I agree with pretty much all of this, seems pretty spot on. I was thinking recently if Tarasenko can find some chemistry with O'Reilly I could see Vladdy hitting 80+ points for the first time in his career. Also hope that a revitalized ROR can hit 70 points during the season and then goes beast mode in the playoffs. Maroon is going to be super excited playing for the Blues and I could see him getting 30-40 points playing in the top 9.

I just don't see it with Maroon. I think he is a decent 3rd liner or a great 4th liner who could be net front on the PP. Away from McDavid he has never been anything too special. Honestly I think my point predictions were a little kind to him.

 

[tfriede2]

Vladimir Tarasenko: 41 Goals / 35 Assist / 76 Points

Would love to see Tarasenko hit another gear, but I’m beginning to lose faith that he’ll actually do it. Nonetheless, he’s still a 40 goal guy as is.

Ryan O'Reilly: 22 Goals / 43 Assist / 65 Points

He finds good chemistry with Tarasenko.

Alexander Steen: 14 Goals / 24 Assist / 38 Points

The decline begins, but Steen is still an important player, leader, and PK guy who is no longer tasked with carrying the load offensively.

Jaden Schwartz: 34 Goals / 45 Assist / 79 Points

Will lead the team in points and make the AS team - will also play 75+ games.

Brayden Schenn: 24 Goals / 38 Assist / 62 Points

Slight step back from last year, but still puts up great numbers and continues chemistry with Schwartz.

Tyler Bozak: 12 Goals / 28 Assist / 40 Points

Good numbers for a 3rd line C, but some fans will overlook that and complain that he’s overpaid.

David Perron: 19 Goals / 30 Assist / 49 Points

Vintage Perron.

Patrick Maroon: 10 Goals / 21 Assist / 31 Points

Utility guy putting up utility numbers as he bounces around the lineup.

Dmitrij Jaskin: 4 Goals / 8 Assist / 12 Points

Will have to earn 4th line playing time, rotating at times with Soshnikov.

Robby Fabbri: 16 Goals / 22 Assist / 38 Points

Shows everyone that he still has it and his icetime increases as the season progresses.

Nikita Soshnikov: 5 Goals / 10 Assist / 15 Points

See Jaskin comments.

Ivan Barbashev: 8 Goals / 14 Assist / 22 Points

Respectable numbers for 4th line C.

Robert Thomas: 13 Goals / 31 Assist / 44 Points

Works his way into top 6 as the season progresses, switching with ROR between C and RW.

Alex Pietrangelo: 17 Goals / 42 Assist / 59 Points

Same as OP.

Colton Parayko: 11 Goals / 27 Assist / 38 Points

Solid season, but we’re left wondering at the end of the season if Toronto is still interested in giving up a Nylander or Marner for him.

Jay Bouwmeester: 2 Goals / 12 Assist / 14 Points

Same as OP.

Joel Edmundson: 8 Goals / 19 Assist / 27 Points

Sets career highs.

Carl Gunnarsson: 1 Goals / 8 Assist / 9 Points

See OP.

Robert Bortuzzo: 3 Goals / 8 Assist / 11 Points

Will split time with Schmaltz, but will see more games.

Vince Dunn: 11 Goals / 25 Assist / 36 Points

Becomes incredibly important piece on our PP.

Jordan Schmaltz: 5 Goals / 13 Assist / 18 Points

See Bortuzzo.

Goalies: not even going to guess.

 

[Blanick]

Vladimir Tarasenko: 41 Goals / 35 Assist / 76 Points

Would love to see Tarasenko hit another gear, but I’m beginning to lose faith that he’ll actually do it. Nonetheless, he’s still a 40 goal guy as is.

Ryan O'Reilly: 22 Goals / 43 Assist / 65 Points

He finds good chemistry with Tarasenko.

Alexander Steen: 14 Goals / 24 Assist / 38 Points

The decline begins, but Steen is still an important player, leader, and PK guy who is no longer tasked with carrying the load offensively.

Jaden Schwartz: 34 Goals / 45 Assist / 79 Points

Will lead the team in points and make the AS team - will also play 75+ games.

Brayden Schenn: 24 Goals / 38 Assist / 62 Points

Slight step back from last year, but still puts up great numbers and continues chemistry with Schwartz.

Tyler Bozak: 12 Goals / 28 Assist / 40 Points

Good numbers for a 3rd line C, but some fans will overlook that and complain that he’s overpaid.

David Perron: 19 Goals / 30 Assist / 49 Points

Vintage Perron.

Patrick Maroon: 10 Goals / 21 Assist / 31 Points

Utility guy putting up utility numbers as he bounces around the lineup.

Dmitrij Jaskin: 4 Goals / 8 Assist / 12 Points

Will have to earn 4th line playing time, rotating at times with Soshnikov.

Robby Fabbri: 16 Goals / 22 Assist / 38 Points

Shows everyone that he still has it and his icetime increases as the season progresses.

Nikita Soshnikov: 5 Goals / 10 Assist / 15 Points

See Jaskin comments.

Ivan Barbashev: 8 Goals / 14 Assist / 22 Points

Respectable numbers for 4th line C.

Robert Thomas: 13 Goals / 31 Assist / 44 Points

Works his way into top 6 as the season progresses, switching with ROR between C and RW.

Alex Pietrangelo: 17 Goals / 42 Assist / 59 Points

Same as OP.

Colton Parayko: 11 Goals / 27 Assist / 38 Points

Solid season, but we’re left wondering at the end of the season if Toronto is still interested in giving up a Nylander or Marner for him.

Jay Bouwmeester: 2 Goals / 12 Assist / 14 Points

Same as OP.

Joel Edmundson: 8 Goals / 19 Assist / 27 Points

Sets career highs.

Carl Gunnarsson: 1 Goals / 8 Assist / 9 Points

See OP.

Robert Bortuzzo: 3 Goals / 8 Assist / 11 Points

Will split time with Schmaltz, but will see more games.

Vince Dunn: 11 Goals / 25 Assist / 36 Points

Becomes incredibly important piece on our PP.

Jordan Schmaltz: 5 Goals / 13 Assist / 18 Points

See Bortuzzo.

Goalies: not even going to guess.

Seems like we are in the same ball park with most of these. The two biggest ones I disagree with you on our Schenn and Bozak. Schenner's chemistry with Schwartz led to 70 points last year and that was with Schwartz missing a month of action, if anything I expect that total to go up. Bozak has consistently put up point in the high 40s to low 50s throughout his career. Last year he dipped a little to 43 points but was that due to less minutes in Toronto or decline in his play, only time will tell.

 

[tfriede2]

Seems like we are in the same ball park with most of these. The two biggest ones I disagree with you on our Schenn and Bozak. Schenner's chemistry with Schwartz led to 70 points last year and that was with Schwartz missing a month of action, if anything I expect that total to go up. Bozak has consistently put up point in the high 40s to low 50s throughout his career. Last year he dipped a little to 43 points but was that due to less minutes in Toronto or decline in his play, only time will tell.

Yeah, with Bozak, I just don’t think he’ll get enough minutes to put up bigger numbers. But if he gets good PP time, he could eclipse 40. We’ll see!

 

[simon IC]

Vladimir Tarasenko: 41 Goals / 35 Assist / 76 Points

Would love to see Tarasenko hit another gear, but I’m beginning to lose faith that he’ll actually do it. Nonetheless, he’s still a 40 goal guy as is.

Ryan O'Reilly: 22 Goals / 43 Assist / 65 Points

He finds good chemistry with Tarasenko.

Alexander Steen: 14 Goals / 24 Assist / 38 Points

The decline begins, but Steen is still an important player, leader, and PK guy who is no longer tasked with carrying the load offensively.

Jaden Schwartz: 34 Goals / 45 Assist / 79 Points

Will lead the team in points and make the AS team - will also play 75+ games.

Brayden Schenn: 24 Goals / 38 Assist / 62 Points

Slight step back from last year, but still puts up great numbers and continues chemistry with Schwartz.

Tyler Bozak: 12 Goals / 28 Assist / 40 Points

Good numbers for a 3rd line C, but some fans will overlook that and complain that he’s overpaid.

David Perron: 19 Goals / 30 Assist / 49 Points

Vintage Perron.

Patrick Maroon: 10 Goals / 21 Assist / 31 Points

Utility guy putting up utility numbers as he bounces around the lineup.

Dmitrij Jaskin: 4 Goals / 8 Assist / 12 Points

Will have to earn 4th line playing time, rotating at times with Soshnikov.

Robby Fabbri: 16 Goals / 22 Assist / 38 Points

Shows everyone that he still has it and his icetime increases as the season progresses.

Nikita Soshnikov: 5 Goals / 10 Assist / 15 Points

See Jaskin comments.

Ivan Barbashev: 8 Goals / 14 Assist / 22 Points

Respectable numbers for 4th line C.

Robert Thomas: 13 Goals / 31 Assist / 44 Points

Works his way into top 6 as the season progresses, switching with ROR between C and RW.

Alex Pietrangelo: 17 Goals / 42 Assist / 59 Points

Same as OP.

Colton Parayko: 11 Goals / 27 Assist / 38 Points

Solid season, but we’re left wondering at the end of the season if Toronto is still interested in giving up a Nylander or Marner for him.

Jay Bouwmeester: 2 Goals / 12 Assist / 14 Points

Same as OP.

Joel Edmundson: 8 Goals / 19 Assist / 27 Points

Sets career highs.

Carl Gunnarsson: 1 Goals / 8 Assist / 9 Points

See OP.

Robert Bortuzzo: 3 Goals / 8 Assist / 11 Points

Will split time with Schmaltz, but will see more games.

Vince Dunn: 11 Goals / 25 Assist / 36 Points

Becomes incredibly important piece on our PP.

Jordan Schmaltz: 5 Goals / 13 Assist / 18 Points

See Bortuzzo.

Goalies: not even going to guess.

Dear Lord, don't encourage them! We have enough wingers. The only player on the Leafs worth trading Parayko for is Matthews. (And that would still leave a huge hole to fill!).

 

[Blanick]

Yeah, with Bozak, I just don’t think he’ll get enough minutes to put up bigger numbers. But if he gets good PP time, he could eclipse 40. We’ll see!

Fair enough, I do think Bozak will get a good amount of PP time due to his success on the PP in Toronto. I think part of my confidence that he will net close to 50 again is that in my fan lineup I have him slotting in next to the Schwartz and Schenn combo and I think he will leech some points from that.

 

[Robb_K]

Vladimir Tarasenko: 44 Goals / 37 Assists / 81 Points
Ryan O'Reilly: 27 Goals / 38 Assists / 65 Points
Alexander Steen: 16 Goals / 30 Assists / 46 Points
Jaden Schwartz: 33 Goals / 43 Assists / 76 Points
Brayden Schenn: 31 Goals / 42 Assists / 73 Points
Tyler Bozak: 16 Goals / 32 Assists / 48 Points
David Perron: 18 Goals / 32 Assists / 50 Points
Robby Fabbri: 16 Goals / 22 Assists / 38 Points
Robert Thomas: 14 Goals / 27 Assists / 41 PointsPatrick Maroon: 8 Goals / 13 Assists / 21 Points
Dmitrij Jaskin: 5 Goals / 11 Assists / 16 Points
Ivan Barbashev: 7 Goals / 13 Assists / 20 Points
Nikita Soshnikov: 4 Goals / 7 Assists / 11 Points
Alex Pietrangelo: 15 Goals / 44 Assists / 59 Points
Colton Parayko: 13 Goals / 33 Assists / 46 Points
Joel Edmundson: 5 Goals / 16 Assists / 21 Points
Vince Dunn: 7 Goals / 26 Assists / 33 Points
Jay Bouwmeester: 2 Goals / 10 Assists / 12 Points
Jordan Schmaltz: 4 Goals / 12 Assists / 16 Points
Robert Bortuzzo: 2 Goals / 3 Assists/ 5 Points
Carl Gunnarsson: 1 Goals / 4 Assists / 5 Points (Traded early)

Jake Allen: .917 SV% / 2.33 GAA in 52 games
Ville Husso: .925 SV% / 2.17 GAA in 16 games (13 starts)
Chad Johnson: .909 / 2.59 GAA in 18 games (17 starts)

Blues score 288 goals, give up 240, - finish 2nd to Winnipeg in Central.
This is based on all the regulars remaining healthy ALL season. Of course, that will not likely happen. Therefore, ONE or TWO of The Blues' regulars will lose significant playing time, and be replaced by players who will score less during that time. I just didn't want to try to predict exactly who will be hurt. So, The Blues' overall scoring numbers will be lower than what I've posted. I DID put in factors for Fabbri, Tarasenko and Bouwmeester starting slowly, getting back up to speed after injuries (especially Fabbri, testing out his ability to handle contact). I also put in a factor for Thomas to start slow (so his numbers are much more impressive than they look on the surface).

 

[tfriede2]

Dear Lord, don't encourage them! We have enough wingers. The only player on the Leafs worth trading Parayko for is Matthews. (And that would still leave a huge hole to fill!).

I would take Marner in a second. I don’t want to hijack this thread, but if Parayko wants to have the value of a top pairing D man, he better start producing like one. We can only use the “potential” card so many times before people realize what he is - a very good 2nd pairing guy (again, so far. He can still become a top pairing guy). This doesct mean I want to get rid of him - would only trade parayko for the right deal and if we had a replacement (either internally, via trade, or UFA), and only if we knew Petro would re-sign (or is re-signed).

This is a huge year for Parayko. Does he take the next step, or will he again leave fans wondering if maybe his potential won’t be fulfilled?

 

[The Note in MI]

I do Marner for Parayko. I don’t do Nylander.

 

[MissouriMook]

Thanks for this, @Blanick . I do something like this for myself every year, but have never had the stones to post it. I put this together once the offseason stuff settled down last month.

    Games    Goals    Assists    Points
Tarasenko    82    44    38    82
Schenn    82    28    36    64
O'Reilly    82    22    40    62
Schwartz    78    26    34    60
Perron    76    14    32    46
Bozak    78    15    29    44
Steen    72    18    25    43
Thomas    66    12    27    39
Fabbri    68    14    22    36
Maroon    72    18    16    34
Kyrou    48    10    18    28
Barbashev    56    7    12    19
Soshnikov    48    4    5    9
Jaskin    56    5    3    8
Sundqvist    8    0    2    2
Thorburn    8    0    1    1
Nolan    4    0    0    0
Forwards Total    984    237    340    577
                
    Games    Goals    Assists    Points
Pietrangelo    78    14    38    52
Parayko    80    10    33    43
Dunn    80    8    22    30
Edmundson    78    6    16    22
Bouwmeester    68    2    12    14
Schmaltz    48    2    12    14
Bortuzzo    40    2    5    7
Gunnarsson    12    0    2    2
Reinke    4    0    1    1
Walman    2    0    0    0
Mikkola    2    0    0    0
Defense Total    492    44    141    185
Grand Total     1,476      281      481      762

    Starts    Games    Minutes    GA    Saves    SP    GAA
Allen    56    56    3300    130     1,400      0.915      2.36
Johnson    18    20    1180    50     500      0.909      2.54
Husso    8    10    520    20     215      0.915      2.31
Total    82    86    5000    200     2,115      0.914      2.40

 

[Brian39]

I love the optimism in this thread and I have a hard time disagreeing with anything in here. With that said, we're in the hunt for the President's Trophy if these projections come true. Just for comparison:

This was the breakdown of Tampa's top 10 scorers last year. #11 had 29 points and no one else hit 20
100 points
86 points
66 point
64 points
63 points
50 points
47 points
44 points*
40 points
35 points

*this was Namestikov, who had 44 points in 62 games. He was replaced by JT Miller, who put up 18 points in 19 games. Taken together, this becomes 62 points for that roster spot over a full season.

These predictions fall a bit shy of Tampa's offense, but projections of 2-3 70+ point players, 2-3 60+ point players, a couple 50+ point players and comparable depth beyond that puts our offense squarely into 'elite' territory. Tampa led the league in goals for by 17 last year, so projections that have us within spitting distance of them offensively would put our offense in the top 5. I like our D group more than Tampa's while their goaltending is obviously better (although I'm not as high on Vasilevski as many are).

Winnipeg scored the 2nd most goals and this is the breakdown of their top 10 scorers:
91
70
60
60
57
45
43
39
36
29

Toronto at #3:
69
63* in 62 games
61
55
54
52
52
47
43
40

Like I said, looking at the predictions so far, I'm not finding much to criticize. All of the optimism here is completely reasonable. We're not seeing 20-30 point jumps in production or expecting a rookie to win the Calder in these predictions. The optimism so far is essentially some combo of: Tarasenko finally hits the PPG mark by playing with ROR and it being more difficult for teams to target him at the expense of leaving other guys unchecked, Schwartz doesn't miss 20+ games, and one of Parayko/Dunn takes a step forward. There is also planned regression for Perron and no one is banking on Maroon to explode.

I'm not saying all of this is guaranteed, but it is exciting that we're talking about the offense being among the league's best without having to make several large leaps of faith. I think injuries and some speed bumps finding chemistry put our offense in the 5th-10th range, but that's still going to feel like an elite offense after what we watched last year.

 

[Brian39]

Thanks for this, @Blanick . I do something like this for myself every year, but have never had the stones to post it. I put this together once the offseason stuff settled down last month.

    Games    Goals    Assists    Points
Tarasenko    82    44    38    82
Schenn    82    28    36    64
O'Reilly    82    22    40    62
Schwartz    78    26    34    60
Perron    76    14    32    46
Bozak    78    15    29    44
Steen    72    18    25    43
Thomas    66    12    27    39
Fabbri    68    14    22    36
Maroon    72    18    16    34
Kyrou    48    10    18    28
Barbashev    56    7    12    19
Soshnikov    48    4    5    9
Jaskin    56    5    3    8
Sundqvist    8    0    2    2
Thorburn    8    0    1    1
Nolan    4    0    0    0
Forwards Total    984    237    340    577
               
    Games    Goals    Assists    Points
Pietrangelo    78    14    38    52
Parayko    80    10    33    43
Dunn    80    8    22    30
Edmundson    78    6    16    22
Bouwmeester    68    2    12    14
Schmaltz    48    2    12    14
Bortuzzo    40    2    5    7
Gunnarsson    12    0    2    2
Reinke    4    0    1    1
Walman    2    0    0    0
Mikkola    2    0    0    0
Defense Total    492    44    141    185
Grand Total     1,476      281      481      762

    Starts    Games    Minutes    GA    Saves    SP    GAA
Allen    56    56    3300    130     1,400      0.915      2.36
Johnson    18    20    1180    50     500      0.909      2.54
Husso    8    10    520    20     215      0.915      2.31
Total    82    86    5000    200     2,115      0.914      2.40

I'm not going to bother posting my predictions, because we are on the same page about almost everything. The only substantial difference in my predictions is that I think Schwartz is closer to 70 points than 60 if he plays a full season and I think one of Steen/Perron/Bozak will just crack 50 points as the beneficiary of getting top 6 minutes and top PP usage.

 

[tfriede2]

I love the optimism in this thread and I have a hard time disagreeing with anything in here. With that said, we're in the hunt for the President's Trophy if these projections come true. Just for comparison:

This was the breakdown of Tampa's top 10 scorers last year. #11 had 29 points and no one else hit 20
100 points
86 points
66 point
64 points
63 points
50 points
47 points
44 points*
40 points
35 points

*this was Namestikov, who had 44 points in 62 games. He was replaced by JT Miller, who put up 18 points in 19 games. Taken together, this becomes 62 points for that roster spot over a full season.

These predictions fall a bit shy of Tampa's offense, but projections of 2-3 70+ point players, 2-3 60+ point players, a couple 50+ point players and comparable depth beyond that puts our offense squarely into 'elite' territory. Tampa led the league in goals for by 17 last year, so projections that have us within spitting distance of them offensively would put our offense in the top 5. I like our D group more than Tampa's while their goaltending is obviously better (although I'm not as high on Vasilevski as many are).

Winnipeg scored the 2nd most goals and this is the breakdown of their top 10 scorers:
91
70
60
60
57
45
43
39
36
29

Toronto at #3:
69
63* in 62 games
61
55
54
52
52
47
43
40

Like I said, looking at the predictions so far, I'm not finding much to criticize. All of the optimism here is completely reasonable. We're not seeing 20-30 point jumps in production or expecting a rookie to win the Calder in these predictions. The optimism so far is essentially some combo of: Tarasenko finally hits the PPG mark by playing with ROR and it being more difficult for teams to target him at the expense of leaving other guys unchecked, Schwartz doesn't miss 20+ games, and one of Parayko/Dunn takes a step forward. There is also planned regression for Perron and no one is banking on Maroon to explode.

I'm not saying all of this is guaranteed, but it is exciting that we're talking about the offense being among the league's best without having to make several large leaps of faith. I think injuries and some speed bumps finding chemistry put our offense in the 5th-10th range, but that's still going to feel like an elite offense after what we watched last year.

Personally, I projected mine based on players playing all 82 games (aside from Schwartz, where I predicted 75+ games). So I wonder how those numbers above would look if you extrapolate based on 82 games played. I suspect the predicted numbers for Blues players (of the posters who based their numbers on 82 games played) wouldn't look so far-fetched versus a team like Tampa or Winnipeg if the numbers above were extrapolated to take into account injuries. But, you're basically right - definitely a lot of optimism here (me included). It's always fun to imagine a lineup where each player reaches or comes close to their realistic potential...even though that's exceedingly unlikely.

 

[Blanick]

Personally, I projected mine based on players playing all 82 games (aside from Schwartz, where I predicted 75+ games). So I wonder how those numbers above would look if you extrapolate based on 82 games played. I suspect the predicted numbers for Blues players (of the posters who based their numbers on 82 games played) wouldn't look so far-fetched versus a team like Tampa or Winnipeg if the numbers above were extrapolated to take into account injuries. But, you're basically right - definitely a lot of optimism here (me included). It's always fun to imagine a lineup where each player reaches or comes close to their realistic potential...even though that's exceedingly unlikely.

Exactly, on mine I posted 13 forwards and 8 defenseman. Obviously all of them aren't going to play 82 games but trying to guess how many games each would play would make things even more impossible. I just listed the players I expect to play 20 or more games (minus Husso) and projected it over 82 games. Yes it is a bit optimistic but hey I am very optimistic about this year.