What young gun are you betting on to have the best season?

[DeepFrickinValue]

i think stanley will surprise nicely with the moose.

 

[truck]

I voted Roslovic for two reasons. I think he is the most talented among those listed and I am confident that he will stick in the top 9.

Niku is next on my list. I'd bet on a successful season as a top 4 D IF he starts the year with Buff, but I wouldn't bet on him starting the year with Buff.

Petan is 3rd on my list.

 

[Gabe Kupari]

Roslo because he's the guy who has shown hes ready for a role.

I'd say Niku but likely Moose 1 more year.

 

[FiveHoled]

I voted Niku mostly because I just want him to be good. I see him coming in late season and finding a groove. But if Petan started to light it up with Roz, that would be supercalifragilisticexpialadochious.

 

[truck]

Roslo because he's the guy who has shown hes ready for a role.

I'd say Niku but likely Moose 1 more year.

Niku absolutely SHOULD start the season on the 2nd pair with Buff. He dominated the AHL after finishing 7th in Liiga D scoring. He is the only option with upside and he's already played vs men for 5 years. He should be ready.

He may not start in the NHL, but the list of reasons to keep him out is tiny.

 

[KingBogo]

Niku absolutely SHOULD start the season on the 2nd pair with Buff. He dominated the AHL after finishing 7th in Liiga D scoring. He is the only option with upside and he's already played vs men for 5 years. He should be ready.

He may not start in the NHL, but the list of reasons to keep him out is tiny.

I voted Rosie, but I'd put Niku right along side him. I think once the kid gets a chance there will be no turning back.

 

[rehf]

I have absolutely no doubt Niku would do well at the start in the NHL. In the one game he played, he looked great and you could even tell for 95% of the game he was being overly safe with how he was playing. When he opened up in OT, he was a beast.

I don't think he will start with the Jets, even though he should, but agreed with when he does come up whether it be to injury or whatever, he will stay.

 

[Keduzin]

Voted Roslovic, don’t think Niku is NHL ready yet and Vesalainen is most definitely not.

 

[ps241]

Niku absolutely SHOULD start the season on the 2nd pair with Buff. He dominated the AHL after finishing 7th in Liiga D scoring. He is the only option with upside and he's already played vs men for 5 years. He should be ready.

He may not start in the NHL, but the list of reasons to keep him out is tiny.

Injuries may force Maurice to do the right thing with Niku. If we have our usual crowded IR sewing circle of D men by mid season then Sami gets more than 10 games in the top 4 with any RHD not named Myers he should do well.

 

[Jaska]

I believe Laine is younger than about half of these "young guns"?

 

[Gm0ney]

I believe Laine is younger than about half of these "young guns"?

He had his breakout season two years ago.

 

[Daximus]

Niku, especially if he can steal some PP time. I think he'll be a much better option than Myers in due time. Especially if Ehlers is still on that unit. Having two guys who are among the best at gaining the zone could back the forecheck off right into their own zone. Myers usually just drops to Ehlers but if Niku is a threat while Ehlers streaks behind then we are golden. Myers has a bit of a muffin of a wrister as well and Niku is really good at getting his through traffic. I think Niku could take over on that PP2 in short order. Add in Vesalainen as a one timer option on the right side and we have a PP that is very similar to PP1 but just much more speedier in their entries.

 

[FonRiesen]

It's a tough poll - I think Roslovic will have a greater impact than anyone else, but he "half broke out" this year already in my books. So the biggest 'breakthrough' I think will be Petan, because they can't send him down and the work he put into his game last year. I wouldn't be surprised if he got some 2nd pp time, and the closest we have on the team now to Thorburn is Tanev, who took big steps forward last year and is actually an NHL quality player...

I would be pleasantly surprised if Niku got PP time over Myers, but I'm also still waiting for Morrissey to get his chance... Not sure what Maurice will do. If I knew he would get time with Buff all year & 2nd PP, he'd be my #1, but I don't believe he will.

 

[Mud Turtle]

He had his breakout season two years ago.

If Laine has a breakout season this year then... well start up the Stanley Cup parade.

 

[WolfgangPuck]

I think Petan and Lemieux will be motivated and have the off season to figure how they can stick with the big club I don’t think either want to be in AHL for another year.