Before the season, i sat down and tried to forecast team and individual performances. My focus was on Larkin, Mantha, Bertuzzi and Athanasiou in goals and assists. I’d also stated that if this team accrued 80 points it would be considered a huge step forward, though not likely. So far, here is where my predictions stand at 80 games.
Anthony Mantha - I predicted 30 goals for him if he stayed healthy, not sure what I said on assists
In 20 games - 11 goals and 8 assists
Projected through 82 games - 44 goals and 32 assists
Summary - I genuinely believe Mantha will break 30, if healthy. His shot and skating are better than they looked in the preseason. The work he’s done is apparent. I don’t know if he will hit 44, but all of a sudden 40 looks reasonable if he can stay consistent. He may well be a more goals than assists player. And, if he hits more than 30 consistently, that’s no bad thing.
Dylan Larkin - I predicted 30 goals for Larkin as well. I felt like he could get 40 or 50 assists with his work at center.
In 20 games - 6 goals and 9 assists
Projected through 82 games - 24-25 goals and 36-38 assists
Summary - I still feel like Larkin can hit 30 goals. He’s on pace for near 40 assists. Dylan is a player that should become a point per game scorer on this team. 30G and 50Assts each year would be a huge boost for the team.
Tyler Bertuzzi - I predicted 25 goals and 40 to 50 assists. He retrieves pucks very well and has 2 scoring threats on his line.
In 20 games - 6 goals 12 assists
Projected through 82 games - 24-25 goals and 48-50 assists.
Summary - Tyler is on pace for 75 points. What’s interesting is that there is no single way in which he produces. His early work with newcomer Robby Fabbri certainly indicates the their chemistry in Jr is still there. Tyler is a bit of a Swiss Army knife and can complement nearly any line. When he was taken in the 2nd round, many wondered about the high pick. Now it’s clear, whatever scouting and Ken Holland saw at the time has seemed to come to fruition.
Andreas Athanasiou - A.A. was my predicted top goal scorer at 35+. His scoring prowess that was seen last year combined with his elite skating seemed to indicate this could be a career year. I would put A.A. as matching goals with assists.
In 20 games - 3 goals and 6 assists (only played 18 of those)
Projected through 82 games - 12 goals and 24 assists
Summary - A.A. had a rough start. Injuries sidelined him a bit and he is just now finding his scoring touch again. I still believe this is a player that will hit 30, but probably not my projected 35+. When Athanasiou is playing his game with confidence, he creates chances with his speed. I believe he will have a better 2nd quarter.
The team - 7-12-1 - 15 points
Projected through 82 games - 60 points
Summary - 60 to 65 feels very realistic for this group. Special teams are improving and the team has now won 3 straight. The hockey season is a grind. The first 20 and las 20 seem to fly by. The 42 games in the middle are a mental and physical grind. The team will hope to develop the right mindset on how to play consistent good hockey during the long season.
I’d love to know your thoughts and predictions. Newcomer Robby Fabbri is exciting, but it would be good to see a larger sample size. Filip Hronek is putting up some nice numbers as well. I will do another review after 40 and see how everyone is developing.
Thanks to everyone who stops by to read and comment. Keep them coming!
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