Lust for Life
Registered User
- Jun 30, 2018
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I wouldn't be surprised to see Maniscalco starting the year in the NHL, to be honest. He plays the exact style that I think JR views as the "right D partner" for Johnson. They may still acquire a more veteran guy instead of rushing a 21 year old defenseman into the NHL, but I could easily see him being in the NHL next year.
Yeah, I think this is one of those cases where he’ll be given every chance to take a spot because they need it. Unless he Pouliot in 2015s it he could start in the NHL. I think the same could be said for POJ, though. They’ll be looking for a D prospect who can move the puck to seize the day.
This could be big for them, and the idea of Marino and Maniscalco on one team is amusing,
It's also worth pointing out that JR may have made that kind of promise to Maniscalco to get him to sign here. If he'd go back to college for another year, he'd likely have a massive year and be the undisputed #1 UDFA prospect for next off-season.
It's also not unheard of for UDFA defenseman at his age to juump right into the NHL. Troy Stecher signed with the Canucks in 2016 at age 22 out of North Dakota, and he played in 71 games with the Canucks the next year in his 22 year old season. It may not be smart to rush him into the NHL, but there is certainly precedent there.
Could this guy and POJ be our third pair by next playoffs?
Dear gods that'd be nice. Maybe break up Pettersson-Marino to try and avoid putting both rookies together.
I'd assume it doesn't go to plan for one of them, but we can dreeaaaaam.
Depending on how Marino progresses next year, maybe we could go:
Dumoulin - Marino
POJ - Letang (reduce Tanger's 5v5 a little bit, increase Marino's)
Pettersson - Maniscalco
Ok, I am dreaming... they will play JJ all year and in the playoffs, but gosh that would be a good and quite young defense. As Letang ages, other guys can take more minutes.
I think Dumoulin-Letang is a mainstay unless they really struggle for a prolonged time. If you have two rookies in, you’d be be more likely to have
Dumoulin-Letang
POJ-Marino
Pettersson-Maniscalco
Not that they won’t be loyal to their boy JJ.