He's nothing more than a 3rd liner. Doesn't mean he can't be a good one - sbroads24
Great, as long as we're all on board with that I'm good. But the reason this started was the quote "Am I the only one who thinks he can still be top 6". Answer should be yes. He can still play hockey, but if he is in your top 6 and being relied heavily on for goals that means your top 6 isn't good.
I think the right organization in the right city could make it work. - Sabresfan-365
I could see trading him and regretting it immidately. If he plays with an elite center and doesn't act or get injured he's good for 25 goals easy. He pretty much had that here. I know for a fact we trade him he won't get into anymore trouble and be a steal for whoever gets him. It's the Buffalo way
Great, as long as we're all on board with that I'm good. But the reason this started was the quote "Am I the only one who thinks he can still be top 6". Answer should be yes. He can still play hockey, but if he is in your top 6 and being relied heavily on for goals that means your top 6 isn't good. - Zschalberg
Not every player playing in the top 6 has to be a shiny "Top 6" player. Take a look at Pittsburgh.
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. - HonkFortheGoose
This conversation was about wingers who should be in the top 6. The answer isn't him. If he is okay being a 4th line center then great, keep him. If he can play to a 3rd line center on a scoring 3rd line the even better. But he should never be relied on for offense.
So again, you want to keep him as a shut down center for the 4th line and PK, fine. But I don't believe he's putting up 15 goals again. His average will be 10 and that's being generous.
