What is Girgensons offensive upside?

[Shoey]

22 points, all even strength or shorthanded on terrible team is absolutely terrific production from a 19 year old. I'm still not sure this kid isn't a potential #1 center down the road to be perfectly honest. Organizational depth probably rules that out, but I still see him as a top 6 center long term and someone who probably settles into being the best 3rd line center in the NHL after the Sabres acquire McEichel.

 

[NotABadPeriod]

Ha, I was just about to make that comparison to too, though I would modify slightly by saying I think his ceiling is a rich man's Dustin Brown.

Agree with this.

But honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if he surpasses these expectations. After all, who expected his development to happen as rapidly as it has?

 

[TheMistyStranger]

Girgensons doesn't have any upside.


Upside has Girgensons.

Beerz wins PotD

 

[Der Jaeger]

Girgensons doesn't have any upside.


Upside has Girgensons.

Zemgus Girgensons vs. Kiko Alonso

Discuss.

 

[jvirk]

I think he'll be a 50 point producer - 20 goals 30 assists; and if he gets to 60 then that's just icing on the cake for us

 

[ZZamboni]

IMO, I think his ceiling is 50 pts. Most likely he'll average throughout his career a 40-45 pt guy.

 

[joshjull]

22 points, all even strength or shorthanded on terrible team is absolutely terrific production from a 19 year old. I'm still not sure this kid isn't a potential #1 center down the road to be perfectly honest. Organizational depth probably rules that out, but I still see him as a top 6 center long term and someone who probably settles into being the best 3rd line center in the NHL after the Sabres acquire McEichel.

Very good point to bring up. Next year he should have better linemates on average and it should mean an uptick in production.

 

[cramdizzl]

I hope that with the organizational depth we have down the middle, he can be a top 6 winger like Dustin Brown. I would absolutely love to see him on Reinhart's wing, even as soon as this year. Having a guy like him that can make room for an offensive center, while also possessing a nice amount of skill, would be awesome. I'd rather see Compher or Larsson as our 3C down the road. That being said, I agree with many other posters: ~60pts in a top 6 role, ~40pts as a 3C who plays all the tough minutes.

 

[joshjull]

I hope that with the organizational depth we have down the middle, he can be a top 6 winger like Dustin Brown. I would absolutely love to see him on Reinhart's wing, even as soon as this year. Having a guy like him that can make room for an offensive center, while also possessing a nice amount of skill, would be awesome. I'd rather see Compher or Larsson as our 3C down the road. That being said, I agree with many other posters: ~60pts in a top 6 role, ~40pts as a 3C who plays all the tough minutes.

Reinhart is a righty. You'd want a sniper for him to feed on the LW (that's not Girgs) and the road grader on the RW. I think there is a lot more to Girg's game than simply opening up space with physical play. So putting him in the road grader role is a bit of a waste to me. And he doesn't really fit in the sniper role on the LW.

Until he is unseated by a better option, I see no reason to move him from center.

EDIT: If anything keep him as Hodgson's center. It should allow Cody to tap into his offensive potential. As his center Girgs can do the tough defensive work that allows Hodgson to focus on being creative and more aggressive offensively.

 

[buffalowing88]

There aren't a whole lot of 50 point third liners these days. That may be asking too much. Eight years ago he'd be a 50 point third liner. These days, let's be happy with 35 points and great two way play.

 

[sabrebuild]

What seems most likely to me is an uptick in goals for him more than assists. Does anyone else feel like his style is great, but he doesn't scream set up guy, other creating general awesome chaos allowing his linemates to get chances. Doubt he averages more than 30 assists, if that, but definitely could see 25 goals. Maybe 23-25-48, along with superb defense, intensity, and general Super Captain. Slightly off topic, but Girgs should be captain even with Reinhart or McEichel.

 

[Shoey]

There aren't a whole lot of 50 point third liners these days. That may be asking too much. Eight years ago he'd be a 50 point third liner. These days, let's be happy with 35 points and great two way play.

I don't see any reason he can't produce on a similar level to Ryan O'Reilly or Ryan Callahan in a few years. I think this kid is gifted and driven enough that it's a possibility.

 

[haseoke39]

It depends on his role, but how many guys in the League can take top assignments in a third line shutdown role and still put up forty points against them? I'd far rather have him be able to do that than put up 60 on the wing in the top 6.

His stats were weak for his rookie year, but he also wasn't getting spoonfed anything, and he displayed some elite skills in little bursts.

 

[Shmuffalo]

I'd say 55 points.

 

[phosphene*]

Poor man's Brind'Amour.

 

[Yatzhee]

I've said it before, and I still stand by it:

I think his UPSIDE offensively is Dustin Brown. So, 25/25 or so. That's if he's playing top 6 wing.

If he's playing 3rd line center, then I think 15/20 is more realistic......

Given his development will be slightly ahead of others incoming to the roster, and if we land one of the big 2 next draft I can see him centering the 3rd line but not as a shutdown type line entirely. I see him centering a 3rd scoring line with shutdown capabilities, great 2 way games. I'll say in that role he does 20 - 25/25 - 30 for 45 - 55 points a season for 6 or more years.

 

[yahhockey]

Steady in the 35-40 range with a season or two closer to 50 due to injuries and line juggling. I think is offensive upside is somewhat limited but that he will play an important role in the competitiveness of the team.

 

[DolanPlsGoSabres]

Poor man's Brind'Amour.

Does that include ugliness?

 

[Balderis19]

Sandis Ozolinsh had this ofensive Thing - i will score, i wanna score thing going on. Zemgus from what I have seen as a latvian is super awesome and all... but I do not think he has a scoring mentality. - so if I am predicting what he could be - I am saying a suuuuuper awesome(defensively) 40 or 50 point scorer
I would hope it was more(not that there is anything wrong with that) but G .... he just does not have the scoring mentality imo... (I soooo want to be wrong here)

 

[Pondslider]

Zemgus Girgensons vs. Kiko Alonso

Discuss.

Girgensons has better knees so far.

 

[Wisent42]

I have his ceiling at somewhere around 20 goals/50 points, but a lot of it depends on his role. He's that rare kind of swiss armyknife who can fit into basically any role. You want a defensive responsible center who kills the opponents top line? Here's Girgensons. You want a checking forward to shake things up? Here's Girgensons. You want a big power forward who drives the net and scores and opens up space for his linemates? Well, here's Girgensons.

Long story short, I thing Girgensons value is higher than his production.

 

[sabrebuild]

Agreed, if all goes according to plan, McEichel, Girgs will be one of our top 3 or 4 most important forwards.

 

[Clam Digger]

Being from the Boston area, Girgensens reminds me of a young (pre concussioned)Patrice Bergeron. Both very physical, strong in the defensive zone, offensively gifted but goes in the corners and wins the gritty one on one battles. Watching the Sabres this year I can say that I think he will one day be the face of the franchise if he continues to develop and stick to his game.

 

[tsujimoto74]

I think Girgensons can be a very special player. Definitely won't ever be an elite scorer, but I could see him eking out 1st line production while continuing to be the relentless, two-way player he is already. Maybe 30 goals and 60-65 points.

 

[Shmuffalo]

Does that include ugliness?

Smash his nose in with an iron