Nope. Quality Dmen are hard to come by and we have a gem in Guhle who is just about ready to be a permanent part of this team. After this summer our wingers are no longer terrible and we have more coming soon, we'll be fine. We've never really had a NHL leading D-core on this team, and it looks like we might be close to putting one together, let's not (frank) it up now.
- sskkoo1

Agreed
Plus, a trade like that with Toronto seems pretty unlikely


Left handed guys:
Dahlin
Guhle
Pilut
Samuelsson
McCabe
Scandella
Hickey

Right handed guys:
Ristolainen
Borgen
Nelson
Laaksonen
Fitzgerald

Loaded on the left
The right seems to hinge on Borgen
Dahlin & Pilut can both supposedly play the right side

Need captain jack to have some injury luck this year. If he plays in 80+ games, with competent wingers he has now, he'll be closer to 100 points than 80
- turbo044

I don’t think he is a 100 plus talent. He is talented, don’t get me wrong, but he is not and elite point producer. He is a very good play maker. He has an above average shot, and he is an above average passer.
I really hope I’m wrong and the addition of a guy like Skinner on his line eliminates the
wild inconsistencies in effort and checking emotions

I don’t think he is a 100 plus talent. He is talented, don’t get me wrong, but he is not and elite point producer. He is a very good play maker. He has an above average shot, and he is an above average passer.
I really hope I’m wrong and the addition of a guy like Skinner on his line eliminates the
wild inconsistencies in effort and checking emotions
- lulags

It feels like (almost) every game I watch with him,he has a chance to get 2-3 points. Guys almost never seem to be ready for the pass, or can't capitalize on the chance. Most of the time, it felt like he was doing it on his own with Girgs and Pominville. His linemates for big chunks of the year were crap. Also keep in mind our defense almost never scored goals, too, so he's not getting assists there. I absolutely believe he could score 40+60

Was there a #1C in the league last year with worse wingers?

I don’t think he is a 100 plus talent. He is talented, don’t get me wrong, but he is not and elite point producer. He is a very good play maker. He has an above average shot, and he is an above average passer.
I really hope I’m wrong and the addition of a guy like Skinner on his line eliminates the
wild inconsistencies in effort and checking emotions
- lulags

Yes, yes you are.

It feels like (almost) every game I watch with him,he has a chance to get 2-3 points. Guys almost never seem to be ready for the pass, or can't capitalize on the chance. Most of the time, it felt like he was doing it on his own with Girgs and Pominville. His linemates for big chunks of the year were crap. Also keep in mind our defense almost never scored goals, too, so he's not getting assists there. I absolutely believe he could score 40+60

Was there a #1C in the league last year with worse wingers?
- jcragcrumple

I think it’s fair to question whether Jack is Elite, or just very good
He’s now gotta be in that 100point range to get to Elite status
No more excuses for him

I think it’s fair to question whether Jack is Elite, or just very good
He’s now gotta be in that 100point range to get to Elite status
No more excuses for him
- jdfitz77

I'll hold on that until I see who Housley puts him with

I don’t think he is a 100 plus talent. He is talented, don’t get me wrong, but he is not and elite point producer. He is a very good play maker. He has an above average shot, and he is an above average passer.
I really hope I’m wrong and the addition of a guy like Skinner on his line eliminates the
wild inconsistencies in effort and checking emotions
- lulags

I kinda agree

I see eichel at 75-90 points per year, if he's injury free.

Although each of the past 3 years, he has set up non skilled players almost every game.

Sam should remain with him for a majority of his career.

I think it would help both of them

I'll hold on that until I see who Housley puts him with
- jcragcrumple

Fair enough
But even if he’s with Sheary & Okposo, those guys are legit players at least

If Jack is as good as we think he is...
Sheary should score 25+ with him & Okposo should hit close to 30, if not more


Whoever is on Jack’s line this year...
they will be talented enough that he should be able to “make them better” so to speak

Probably the fifth best forward from his draft class..

Fair enough
But even if he’s with Sheary & Okposo, those guys are legit players at least

If Jack is as good as we think he is...
Sheary should score 25+ with him & Okposo should hit close to 30, if not more
- jdfitz77

He's never scored 30, and only scored over 20 goals three times. And he's on the wrong side of 30 years old. I'm not expecting that

22+35 would be an excellent season

I’ve had 9 Sierra Nevadas in my fridge since June 8. Bought a 12 pack for some buds and they only drank 2 (it was morning).

Last week I made a Trinchado and I subbed in a SN when the recipe called for brandy

It sucks feeling old - being old ain’t bad, feeling old sucks.
- Der Kaiser

I use the beers I don't like for cooking, too. Beer is a very good marinade.

He's never scored 30, and only scored over 20 goals three times. And he's on the wrong side of 30 years old. I'm not expecting that

22+35 would be an excellent season
- jcragcrumple

Injuries have held him back
I’ll rephrase though

A “healthy” Okposo, that plays 80 games,
is good enough that playing with Jack should elevate him into the high20s for goals
IF Jack is as good as we think he is



Regardless on specific numbers though...
all I’m saying is that we all think Jack is the type of talent that should be making players around him better

Now, no one expects him to turn Girgs into a 20goals scorer
But he’s gonna be playing with legit guys this year
So we not only need to see him elevate HIS performance...
but that of others around him as well

Injuries have held him back
I’ll rephrase though

A “healthy” Okposo, that plays 80 games,
is good enough that playing with Jack should elevate him into the high20s for goals
IF Jack is as good as we think he is



Regardless on specific numbers though...
all I’m saying is that we all think Jack is the type of talent that should be making players around him better

Now, no one expects him to turn Girgs into a 20goals scorer
But he’s gonna be playing with legit guys this year
So we not only need to see him elevate HIS performance...
but that of others around him as well
- jdfitz77

The crux of that argument seems to me, is that Okposo would score in the low-20s without Eichel. I'm not sure that's true.

The crux of that argument seems to me, is that Okposo would score in the low-20s without Eichel. I'm not sure that's true.
- jcragcrumple

Ok, maybe I’m overstating how good Okposo is


How about we just say...
Okposo scored in the upper 20s with Tavares
If Jack is on that level, then Okposo should score in a similar range with him

Ok, maybe I’m overstating how good Okposo is


How about we just say...
Okposo scored in the upper 20s with Tavares
If Jack is on that level, then Okposo should score in a similar range with him
- jdfitz77

I still don't think that's comparing apples-to-apples because Okposo was 24/25 years old at the time, and now he's 30.

I think 17-19 goals without Eichel, and 22-24 with him is where he's at

I think it’s fair to question whether Jack is Elite, or just very good
He’s now gotta be in that 100point range to get to Elite status
No more excuses for him
- jdfitz77

" "Every day, if you come in here and work and put your head down, you do the right things, you're a good teammate, I think the results in the games will take care of themselves.''

That's what a leader does and what he'll need to do."

Jack is elite.
Jack makes those on the ice with him better.
He drives 5v5 play, is outstanding on the PP,
and has learned a solid 2-way effort yields a far more effective player.
He has matured before our eyes!

The sky is the limit with him going forward aided by finally having linemates with complimentary talent.

The quote above however is a good start.
I hope he will learn, based on further maturation, how to make those who are not on the ice with him better also.

Finally, we have reached a point with the rebuild(s) that this team is going to be good this season, and much better next season! Kuddo's to JBotts!

The crux of that argument seems to me, is that Okposo would score in the low-20s without Eichel. I'm not sure that's true.
- jcragcrumple

I like Okpso with Jack quite a bit, and hope that is who he plays with.
That said, I would like to see what he can do with Stadts

I like Okpso with Jack quite a bit, and hope that is who he plays with.
That said, I would like to see what he can do with Stadts
- IonSabres

I think we all pretty much agree with you about Jack...
but NOW it’s time for us to really SEE it in terms of on ice production from him & his linemates

I still don't think that's comparing apples-to-apples because Okposo was 24/25 years old at the time, and now he's 30.

I think 17-19 goals without Eichel, and 22-24 with him is where he's at
- jcragcrumple

I don’t think Okposo is over the hill though
He should definitely (imo) score 25+ if he plays with Jack
Especially if their other linemates is of quality

I don’t think Okposo is over the hill though
He should definitely (imo) score 25+ if he plays with Jack
Especially if their other linemates is of quality
- jdfitz77

He only did that 1 time, 5 years ago, in all the years he played with JT. I doubt he does that again at age 30, after a severe brain injury.

I think we all pretty much agree with you about Jack...
but NOW it’s time for us to really SEE it in terms of on ice production from him & his linemates
- jdfitz77

I like what he has said over the course of the offseason. He seems to have a good outlook, and has matured even more realizing he can have a positive impact in more ways than just his own on ice play.
I am really looking forward to the upcoming season.

Now if JBotts can somehow trim the contracts down by a 3-for-1 deal for another solid RhD...awesome

He only did that 1 time, 5 years ago, in all the years he played with JT. I doubt he does that again at age 30, after a severe brain injury.
- jcragcrumple

You’re making way too much of his age
He’s not over the hill
And too much of the brain injury
He’s fine now

Take away last year,
because he couldn’t train all summer

The year before... WITH US...
he had 19 goals in 65 games
Over 82 games, that equates to 24 goals

He should do better than that with Jack

Okposo is 100% and been training all summer
Paul Hamilton was just talking about him this week on WGR
(I forget which day. It was the morning show though)

I like what he has said over the course of the offseason. He seems to have a good outlook, and has matured even more realizing he can have a positive impact in more ways than just his own on ice play.
I am really looking forward to the upcoming season.

Now if JBotts can somehow trim the contracts down by a 3-for-1 deal for another solid RhD...awesome
- IonSabres

Agreed
This season hinges A LOT on Mitts & Dahlen being really good right away...
but also on Hutton/Ullmark,
and Bogosian as that RD2

Moving in the right direction for sure
I just don’t know we won’t have some setbacks here n there this year

You’re making way too much of his age
He’s not over the hill
And too much of the brain injury
He’s fine now

Take away last year,
because he couldn’t train all summer

The year before... WITH US...
he had 19 goals in 65 games
Over 82 games, that equates to 24 goals

He should do better than that with Jack

Okposo is 100% and been training all summer
Paul Hamilton was just talking about him this week on WGR
(I forget which day. It was the morning show though)
- jdfitz77

I really hope you are correct. Right now, he is at least the second best rw on the team. He needs to produce this year.

I really hope you are correct. Right now, he is at least the second best rw on the team. He needs to produce this year.
- TheHank

My 25+ goals for Okposo is predicated on him playing with Jack

If he plays with Mitts, something around 20goals seems more likely

I’d like to see him do well enough that we can move Okposo next offseason