I think he's capable of scoring 20 goals.
- chilliard77

I'd disagree with that emphatically. His offensive instincts are poor, he isn't big enough to play the power forward role, he doesn't have a good enough shot to be a sniper, he isn't smart enough to find the open areas all the time. He just isn't that good.

His career goals are 8, 15, 7. I don't think last year was his down year, I think the year before was skewed because he had top line minutes and Power Play time, all things that are better off used on players with better offensive ability.

Unless you do one or two things amazing you need a high hockey IQ to be in the top 6 in the NHL.

Ovi doesn't have a high hockey IQ but man can he shoot and skate.

Girgensons doesn't skate well, doesn't have a great shot, and he is not the best passer. He tries very hard. There is a spot for him here but its not in the top 6.
- Stripes77

This might be the first time I've heard someone say that about him. Eliteprospects disagrees as well.

http://www.eliteprospects...m/player.php?player=59843

Unless you do one or two things amazing you need a high hockey IQ to be in the top 6 in the NHL.

Ovi doesn't have a high hockey IQ but man can he shoot and skate.

Girgensons doesn't skate well, doesn't have a great shot, and he is not the best passer. He tries very hard. There is a spot for him here but its not in the top 6.
- Stripes77

His first two seasons here, I don't think I ever saw him lose a battle for the puck. That's what stood out to me.

ROR and Larsson did that for me last year. Girgs was basically invisible other than the OT winner early in the season.

This might be the first time I've heard someone say that about him. Eliteprospects disagrees as well.

http://www.eliteprospects...m/player.php?player=59843
- HonkFortheGoose

My eyes say differently. He is constantly on his a$$. The Ottawa game last year when he was skating with Eichel and Reinhart he couldn't stay on his feet.

It was mentioned here a lot that he was falling all the time.

Well, Dustin Byfuglien did throw his clothes in the shower.
- CaptainRivet

Unless you do one or two things amazing you need a high hockey IQ to be in the top 6 in the NHL.

Ovi doesn't have a high hockey IQ but man can he shoot and skate.

Girgensons doesn't skate well, doesn't have a great shot, and he is not the best passer. He tries very hard. There is a spot for him here but its not in the top 6.
- Stripes77

This is pretty much spot on. You can mask many of your weaknesses by being very good to great at a certain part of the game. Girgensons is not that, even when he's at the top of his game.

Having said that, I can absolutely see him playing a bottom 6 role on a championship team.

His first two seasons here, I don't think I ever saw him lose a battle for the puck. That's what stood out to me.

ROR and Larsson did that for me last year. Girgs was basically invisible other than the OT winner early in the season.
- CaptainRivet

My issue with Larsson is he only does it for what seems to be the second half of the year. He's more than capable, but doesn't seem all that motivated at times.

SO if Ennis has a bounce-back year, and returns to form....do we even need Okposo or Bodeker (sp) or whoever?

I mean the guy put up nice numbers on two god-awful sabres teams...he's got the talent and the speed to keep up with Jack or ROR

If you can't think the game or have elite skill, you need to win races and battles. Girgensons can do that still IMO

SO if Ennis has a bounce-back year, and returns to form....do we even need Okposo or Bodeker (sp) or whoever?

I mean the guy put up nice numbers on two god-awful sabres teams...he's got the talent and the speed to keep up with Jack or ROR
- feetontheair22

Can't happen. Or at least that's what everyone around here thinks. Once guys have a bad year there's no returning to being a useful player. May as well take him out back and shoot him now.

Totally agree. And it's frustrating. I think he'll get there. People just need to not throw him to the wolves because he didn't have the type of season they wanted.
- HonkFortheGoose

He had one good year of 15-15-30 while he was getting plenty of ice time and power play time. His other years were 18 and 22 points. I don't see what this love is for him.

My issue with Larsson is he only does it for what seems to be the second half of the year. He's more than capable, but doesn't seem all that motivated at times.
- HonkFortheGoose

Agreed. Larsson has shown just as much inconsistency as Girgensons. Ideally, one of them steps it up to claim that third line center role this season, even though I expected that to happen last season.

I'd disagree with that emphatically. His offensive instincts are poor, he isn't big enough to play the power forward role, he doesn't have a good enough shot to be a sniper, he isn't smart enough to find the open areas all the time. He just isn't that good.

His career goals are 8, 15, 7. I don't think last year was his down year, I think the year before was skewed because he had top line minutes and Power Play time, all things that are better off used on players with better offensive ability.
- Zschalberg

He's pretty good defensively, he's above average speed, above average shot. I think him being a Shaw/Mcginn type is still likely. Top 9 who can roll with the top 6 if necessary.

I can't be the only one that thinks Girgensons still has talent and top 6 potential. He's shown some real offensive flair in this young career. He had a terrible year last year but I think he can bounce back.
- chilliard77

agreed.

A PK unit with ROR and backes would rival the old days of grier and mckee haha
- yen6d1

hannan and Pressley

If you can't think the game or have elite skill, you need to win races and battles. Girgensons can do that still IMO
- sbroads24

I agree. He struggled offensively last year, but still finished the season with an even +/-. While he had a frustrating year offensively, I think he still brings plenty to the table and is still plenty useful. No, he's not going to be an elite scorer, but he drives the net (something most guys here don't seem to do), he hustles, and he's a nice piece to use on the PK.

I think in the direction we're going in Girgensons is destined for the third line (which is fine really). Honestly, we can keep him or trade him, im fine with either. He doesn't really make or break the team. I think we absolutely need to keep ennis if he's not gonna be part of a really good trade. I think he could thrive on either the first or second line wing this year. I think last year was a fluke for him especially because he was injured so much.

I'd disagree with that emphatically. His offensive instincts are poor, he isn't big enough to play the power forward role, he doesn't have a good enough shot to be a sniper, he isn't smart enough to find the open areas all the time. He just isn't that good.

His career goals are 8, 15, 7. I don't think last year was his down year, I think the year before was skewed because he had top line minutes and Power Play time, all things that are better off used on players with better offensive ability.
- Zschalberg

He's nothing more than a 3rd liner. Doesn't mean he can't be a good one

He's nothing more than a 3rd liner. Doesn't mean he can't be a good one
- sbroads24

I agree, he going to be an above average to good third liner. I am okay with that. I just want better for the top 6.

Agreed. Larsson has shown just as much inconsistency as Girgensons. Ideally, one of them steps it up to claim that third line center role this season, even though I expected that to happen last season.
- CaptainRivet

I dont love nor hate LAarsson or Girgensons.

They both need to have better years.

Girgensons
Larsson
Foligno
Kane
Deslauries
Moulson
Ennis

They all need to be better this year.

If they each can get 3 more goals then last year. We are in great shape.

How does Peters, I mean Garth, Still have a blog?
Anywhoo....
Priorities should be risto and Vesey. The UFA route without 91 isn't worth the $. Build through trades and organic growth of the youngsters.

Get off the ledge folks.

He had one good year of 15-15-30 while he was getting plenty of ice time and power play time. His other years were 18 and 22 points. I don't see what this love is for him.
- Zschalberg

Some people aren't giving up on a 22-year-old. He was a projected 3rd liner when he was drafted, and that's what he's shown he is in the NHL.

He had one good year of 15-15-30 while he was getting plenty of ice time and power play time. His other years were 18 and 22 points. I don't see what this love is for him.
- Zschalberg

He's also only 22 years old and was picked in the middle of the 1st round. Not the top 3. It's like you expect him to put up numbers like Eichel or Reinhart and because he's not, he's not worth having on the roster.

Guys like him end up being the difference makers in the playoffs. I'm really interested to see how he does in his second year under Bylsma. The fact that he didn't blame anyone for his poor season other than himself is pretty telling of the type of guy he is. I think he could be the perfect 3rd line center. Guys in that role aren't typically expected to put up huge numbers, but they should chip in offensively at times. He's more than capable of that while playing a very sound defensive game.

He's pretty good defensively, he's above average speed, above average shot. I think him being a Shaw/Mcginn type is still likely. Top 9 who can roll with the top 6 if necessary.


- chilliard77

And that's fine, but that's not a top 6 role. If he can be a 3rd line player then great. But that's his ceiling. If he needs to play 5 games in the top 6 yeah he won't ruin the game, but that's not where he belongs.

He has a problem. I feel for those that have those problems.
- Stripes77

We all have problems.