First, I like what I see from DD in this pre-season.
Second, if he gets 40 points, it is a little bit low for 3.5M but there are many players who has an average of 40 points who get that kind of money. With 50 points, we are paying a good price for the production.
At 60 points, we have a deal at 3.5M.
Third, I do trust our coaching staff to give ice time based on production. As every coach in the league, MT will favor the veterans to a recruit. At the same time, we saw that Galchenyuk, Gallagher last year and Tinordi and Bournival this year are being tried and give chances to earn their spot. We all want Galchenyuk to be a first line center but he is not there yet. Their plan is clear and they are moing toward it.
Fourth, for the last two seasons, we paid 850K for Desharnais. Find me one team in the league who paid that price for a first line center (1b if you prefer). Even at 3.5M for a second line center is a good deal.
Fifth, we all think that Eller should eventually pass Desharnais. At 24, Desharnais scored 22 points in 43 games and at the same age, Lars did 30 points in 46 games. Desharnais exploded the following year because he was finally given two top-6 wingers and Gomez place was taken. I do expect Eller to improve but I do not expect David to follow Gomez path.
Sixth, fact is that we have many centers. We should not complain about that. If one or two of our top centers is injured (Plekanec and Eller), we still have Desharnais, Brière and Galchenyuk to center our top-9. Depth is good and it is easier to move a center to the wings than the reverse.
Seventh but not least. Can't we wait and see what happens. This is a long season.
We were 5th in PP time last season so we must do something right (Markov and Subban). If our PP falls below 18% you will see changes. In the mean time,
some PP time was given to Eller and Galchenyuk last season and they failed to even keep the puck in offensive zone.
I remember this vividly because I was hoping them to get some PP time. So it is going to take more time.
I do expect them to get more PP time especially when we are ahead. Looking at
this, you have to admit that Plekanec-Gionta and MaxPac-DD are our best for PP. I do admit that this PP TOI was given to EGG line in the last four games of the season. But I do expect them to get more PP TOI this season.
To conclude: There was many experiment during the pre-season and the coaching staff did a pretty good job at trying everyone during every phase of the game. I remember Nystrom and Bournival in PK but also Desharnais, Galchenyuk, Gallagher and even Pacioretty. I do have confidence in our coaching staff. For now, DD is part of a pretty good PP unit and EGG needs to earn their time on PP.
My hopes are to see EGG line be lethal in PP, Plek line be great in PK.
But my expectations are to see DD line dominate the PP next season and EGG line get more PK and PP.