The forward group looks bad
How so though? Top 6 is in tact pretty well from last season. Saad got 24 points in 44 games. Check out Newhook's stats:
+ Plays for Boston College, gets well over a point per game (fair enough)
+ Goes straight into the NHL, gets 3 points in 6 games (similar strike rate to Saad this season, but on much less talented lines), at plus 5 thank you very much. Bednar sends him back to the A, and he struggles (9 points in 8 games - 5 of those goals) - note I was being sarcastic there. I honestly don't think we go back from Saad's production with Newhook there. It's parody if at all, and jeez, the up tick on this kid, could be huge. Develop him so he can slot into Kadri's position at some point.
Then you have your bottom 6. I'll break it down (in my way of thinking, and in my opinion).
1. Helm versus Bellemare - I LOVED Belle, but Helm has quicker wheels, is younger and probably more productive upswing. Take into consideration, he's going to be fed the puck from two of EJ, Makar, Girard, Murray, Toews or Byram. Improvement here.
2. Nichushkin versus Nichushkin - Scored 4 points in his first 20 last season, then 17 points in his last 35 games (of the season proper). He literally improved in front of my eyes, and was a real presence, so having a healthy, fired up Nuke is at LEAST parody, but more likely an improvement.
3. Jost versus Jost- This one's simple. The more he plays, the more he improves. He was off productively last season. 9 points in his last 17 games thank you very much. 4 points in 10 playoff games. He'll be better this season. Probably with more ice time and expectation. Let's be conservative and call parody like Nuke.
4. Maltzev versus Calvert - 3 points in 18 games for Matty. Missed a huge chunk of the season (and most others). I loved Calvert, added so much, especially on the PK. Maltzev will add more value, because he'll likely be there, on ice. His scoring pace on a TERRIBLE Jersey team (6th worst scoring team in the league) was three times that of our Matty - so I'm calling improvement.
5. Compher versus Compher - had an AWFUL year by his standards. He's going to be getting a much more impactful role this coming season, and the only way is UP. He's usually good for around a point every second game, and I do feel he'll get back to that with a very productive D behind him. Lots of players have a down year. Watch him bounce back. Calling it now, most improved player on our roster next season, scoring 35-45 points in 82 games. I'm calling improvement.
6. O'Connor versus Donskoi - productively I'll give you this one, but jeez he was patchy. like either ice cold or red hot. But for mine, it really comes down to role here. LOC will be playing a gritty, up tempo, chippy style, where I personally found Donskoi a bit soft at times, but possibly we go back a little here (productively only).
7. Kurtis McDermid - he sure as heck ain't playing EJ, Toews, Makar, Girard, Byram, Murray out of places, so I'm throwing him in at forward. We all saw the playoffs. Teams lean on us and bully us at times. Does Reaves belt Girard in the head that series, knowing McDermid will kick his head in? Possibly not. He, along with EJ back, Byram who has a chip on his shoulder, Kadri and others, we are tougher to play against, so improvement.
That's:
Improvement: 4 players in the bottom 6
Parody: 2 players in the bottom 6
Regression: 1 player in the bottom 6 (but only productively)
Sorry for the huge post.
Summary: We are good. Lock in the Staley Cup for Avs 2022
