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If Ehrhoff comes into camp with more poundage, I expect him to take over the Sharks PP and put up solid numbers.
Sophomore Studs
- Thread starter Chuckalinsky
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Vatican Roulette
Baile de Los Locos
Jean_Jacket41 said:
i'll be honest, i've only seen him play a few times
but i just feel like he's already had his breakout season. i don't dispute the fact that he will continue to improve. but i don't think he'll be considered a sophomore "stud" and surprise people as much as he did this past year
I can't believe I left out Ruutu and Zherdev. Especially since I have Zherdev in my draft. But good calls. Those two have HUGE potential for sure. Technically this doesn't count as a sophomore but I think that Michalek will have a big season for SJ as well. His offense is underrated a lot. Should be a good year!
Considering Bergeron spent about three halfs of a season on the third line and still finished good. I only expect him to improve. He'll be counted on a lot, he will have second line time and pp time.If Nylander was to comeback, He would be with Samsonov and Nylander, and that line did well in the playoffs.eatwake said:
I see everybody here is mentionning rookies from last years class, as having breakout season next year, Zherdev, Stall, Horton, Bergeron, Erhoff etc...how come no mention of Andrew Raycroft, Michael Ryder, even Trent Hunter... they did after all finish as the top 3 rookies, respect should be due
topshelf331
Registered User
417 TO MTL said:
I had assumed the query was more about who would burst out as the top sophmores, and if you are already at the top of your class(such as raycroft, ryder, and hunter were statistically) then odds are you aren't going to jump too much higher. With that said, I certainly would not look for a decrease in any of those three's stats, but frankly if I had to predict, I'd say that Ryder and Hunter will not be in the top 3 in forwards stats for sophmores, where as Raycroft will continue to pace his year's goalies. Many of the players already mentioned are more likely to improve a great amount than Ryder or Hunter.
Chuckalinsky said:
Highest raisers:
Zherdev, more shots, more goals
Horton, will reach 30 goals IMO
Pitkanen, more minutes
Ruutu, what a 2nd half last year (65-70)
Will fall:
Bergeron (he'll have to be very mature to stay on earth after this kind of unexpected season)
Ryder (As a habs fan I can say he have a fantastic shot, nothing else)
IMO
BJ21
Jeff Goldblum
Registered User
I think Koltsov could break out, if he plays on the top 2 lines. He's got the speed, he's got the creativity, he's got the head for the game, all he needs is that little extra something and he can put it all together. His hands improved over the season, and should improve more this season.
Malone could also benefit from an improved pens squad. Put him with Lemieux (assuming he's not injured) and...you know what happens. =)
Orpik solidified himself as a top-4 defender in the NHL. Look for him to be known as one of the top shut down defensemen in the NHL next season.
Surovy, who I think is no longer considered a rookie, would have scored 20 this season if he played it in full. That was with Tom Kostopoulos and Rico Fata. Put him with a playmaking center and he could get 25G 30A IMO
Those are just my picks from the Pens...I think i got every sophomore on the squad :-p
I think Staal will have an amazing season, something like 60 pts.
I don't think Horton will put up the points just yet. Thats just my opinion though.
Zherdev..love his game. Had he played a full season, he could have been the leading scorer for rookies.
Patrice Bergeron will be counted on to score more. Question is, can the 19 year old handle the added attention he'll be getting from the opposition's top defenders? I think yes, but time will tell.
Malone could also benefit from an improved pens squad. Put him with Lemieux (assuming he's not injured) and...you know what happens. =)
Orpik solidified himself as a top-4 defender in the NHL. Look for him to be known as one of the top shut down defensemen in the NHL next season.
Surovy, who I think is no longer considered a rookie, would have scored 20 this season if he played it in full. That was with Tom Kostopoulos and Rico Fata. Put him with a playmaking center and he could get 25G 30A IMO
Those are just my picks from the Pens...I think i got every sophomore on the squad :-p
I think Staal will have an amazing season, something like 60 pts.
I don't think Horton will put up the points just yet. Thats just my opinion though.
Zherdev..love his game. Had he played a full season, he could have been the leading scorer for rookies.
Patrice Bergeron will be counted on to score more. Question is, can the 19 year old handle the added attention he'll be getting from the opposition's top defenders? I think yes, but time will tell.
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Jungle Boy said:
Totally agree that Brown will put better number next year. Ruutu and Staal will probably fun to watch and expected (and hope for) a big increase in points!
infinitesadd
Registered User
I'm gonna say Ruutu and Horton as they both play a game that is very suited to the NHL. I love their styles and I think they will have great seasons. Hopefully Horton can stay healthy.
My homer picks are:
Koltsov and Orpik
My homer picks are:
Koltsov and Orpik
BlackJack21 said:
Well as a fellow Habs fans, i'll have to say that you don't watch enough of Ryder to make that comment, if you think that all he has is his shot, your totally wrong, he's an underrated passer, he did lead all rookies in assists, he's physical, plays hard all the time, and he's worked on his skating...he got better and better as the season went on, so I expect the same from him, I think that he'll be a consistent 30-35 goals and 60-65 points type of player, the instincts he has for scoring can't be taught, it's uncanny how he's always in the right position to score, from inside the opposions blueline, there's not many players who can weave through 3 or 4 defenders and pick the corner on goalie like he can, ask Caps fans....
bobbsktball1 said:
Interesting, good post, I disagree though about Ryder, anybody who's really watched him, will agree that he got better as the year went along, and it's a trend he's had his whole career, he's not the type to rest on his laurels of this year and not show up ready next year, I think he'll put up similar number to last year, maybe even surpassing those, but as I mentionned in the other post, he'll top out at around 30 to 35 goals and 60 to 65 points
417 TO MTL said:
Yeah, I didn't mean that they would not progress, or that they had topped out. I don't know nearly enough about Hunter and Ryder to make that kind of bold statement, and I don't see how it could even possibly be true. I just meant that ruutu, zherdev, horton and so on were likely to improve more than ryder and hunter.
Orpik won't become a top shut down defenseman next year. It'll take a few more years for that to happen, but I do expect him to continue to improve.Pens4ever said:
If Konstantin Koltsov finds the hands to keep up with his feet, he could become a very solid player.
bobbsktball1 said:
I may have been a little hard with him too...
My opinion is more that I think he already reach his full potential...<
BJ21
Patty Ice
Straight to the Banc
Two guys I think can hit the 20 goal mark next year...Chuck Kobasew and Dustin Brown. Surprised I havent seen Chuckie's name mentioned.
Muddy Wilbury
Flyers Fan in Ottawa
Hero of Tragedy said:
Brown was looking good before he went down with an injury. what kinda icetime will he get next year?
personally i like hunter and ruutu puting up solid sophomore years.
-cnote-
As far as the Kings go, I agree that Dustin Brown will have a good season and Tim Gleason will continue to make a name for himself.
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