Post-Game Talk: Stanley Cup Champions @ Twinless Canucks 10:00 PM EST

[VaCaps Fan]

Now that is a penguin waddling...

 

[txpd]

Stephenson's season TOI average is 13:46. Last night he played 14:40.

 

[ovikovy817]

You would be correct and judging by that game I would understand. He constantly fumbles the puck, misses or chooses not to shoot when he is in prime chances and is just offensively challenged in general.

He still ended up with enough minutes but Silky is most likely correct.
View attachment 149119

I noticed it already in the morning when I saw the scoreboard and Ovi getting points with 77 and 19 on the same goals.and the when I watched the game, I had the same feeling.

At least it's not an injury.

 

[ovikovy817]

Stephenson's season TOI average is 13:46. Last night he played 14:40.

He was on the 4th line at the start of the season

 

[Ovie's Neighbor]

Stephenson is a step slow in his decision making. Several times this year he has had the puck on the wing and had to bring it around the net because he couldn't decide quick enough what to do with the puck. I think he belongs on the fourth line but with Burakovsky playing poorly it is hard to move 65 up to the first or second line.

 

[Calicaps]

I’d consider putting 65 at 1 RW as a kind of make or break shot. If he can’t make hay with 8 and 92 that’s it for him.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

Stephenson is a step slow in his decision making. Several times this year he has had the puck on the wing and had to bring it around the net because he couldn't decide quick enough what to do with the puck. I think he belongs on the fourth line but with Burakovsky playing poorly it is hard to move 65 up to the first or second line.

He’s the perfect utility type to move around in spot duty, but I think right now he’s best in a 4th line role where he can dominate the guy standing across from him most nights. Only a 2nd year guy...still an unfinished product development-wise IMO.

 

[4thTierSport]

Oh yeah. Any chance to complain is a chance neither miss out on. His latest stunt I saw a few times last year is to dive at an oppositions shins/knees pretending to desperately play a puck where he already has position.

Opps, how did my knee end up in your spine?

 

[g00n]

I’d consider putting 65 at 1 RW as a kind of make or break shot. If he can’t make hay with 8 and 92 that’s it for him.

What if he's only good with our 2 best guys? How good are you really if that's the case? Worth keeping?

 

[twabby]

What if he's only good with our 2 best guys? How good are you really if that's the case? Worth keeping?

I’m struggling to find a scenario where he’s worth keeping at $3.25M next season (his minimum qualifying offer). There’s too much of a logjam in the top 6 wings with Vrana emerging as a clear superior option and Wilson taking the next step in his development into being a difference maker in the offensive end.

Their best option at this point is to ride Burakovsky out this season as a rental, or trade him if he gets hot for a few weeks and a good deal presents itself. He’ll need to be replaced by a decent top 9 winger next season but it’s something they should be able to address.

 

[Raikkonen]

Decent top-9 winger is here already in a form of Stephenson (at least his playoff self).

So Bura is a luxury we can still hold for some time.

 

[Calicaps]

What if he's only good with our 2 best guys? How good are you really if that's the case? Worth keeping?

Fair point. I’d say, it’s worthwhile in a few ways:
1. Fills the void while 43 is suspended
2. Boosts 65’s trade value
3. Potentially boosts 65’s confidence enough that he could be useful elsewhere, at least for a while

... And I had a fourth one that I can’t remember now. Oh well.

 

[maacoshark]

He’s the perfect utility type to move around in spot duty, but I think right now he’s best in a 4th line role where he can dominate the guy standing across from him most nights. Only a 2nd year guy...still an unfinished product development-wise IMO.

Stephenson has defense first mindset. Ive noticed when he has the puck quite often he hesitates and misses out on a chance to take a shot or make a pass. Seems like he is afraid to make a mistake.