In fairness, I don't think anyone was accounting for him ever being within reach of 50 goals in a season. I've consistently stood by my belief that Drai is more comparable to Backstrom than to Kopitar. Size (6'1, 210-220lbs), passing dominance, burgeoning two-way game, skating style & ability; just all of it. That's how I viewed his future; Backstrom and Krejci (Nuge's comp.)
- MaximumBone

Well no one really talked about Drais goal scoring ability it was always the fact that he had good hands and could be a solid playmaker.....his game away from the puck has gotten better maybe he is trying to channel the player he idolizes

I don’t think this season is his new norm per se, but I should think 30G/80P is about right.
- Wildschwein

Yeah, I don't think 50 or even 40 is reasonable to count on, but it is possible that the increase in shooting % isn't all a statistical anomaly. I'll be looking into it over the offseason, but if the league stays committed to maintaining the level of offense we're seeing, that might reshape what constitutes average shooting %s for forwards for at least a few years.

Prior to this year he was around a career 13.5 to 14% shooter, but that could end up sitting closer to 16% going forward thanks to the goalie pad changes.

And that raises the question of ~80 games of an elite player or ~67 games of a dominant player- which is more valuable? If it weren't for Drai's recent surge, it'd be more of a question but I think he's skewed the argument in his favour.
- MaximumBone

Games played plus production and the fact Drai is a Center seals it for me but if I was asked that before the trade I would have just laughed and said Hall is the easy selection

We could have them answer for themselves, but Leon too busy chasing 50, and Hallsy broke his arm trying to type a reply

Condors are going to be loaded next year

We could have them answer for themselves, but Leon too busy chasing 50, and Hallsy broke his arm trying to type a reply
- ChonDerry

post of the year

We could have them answer for themselves, but Leon too busy chasing 50, and Hallsy broke his arm trying to type a reply
- ChonDerry

We could have them answer for themselves, but Leon too busy chasing 50, and Hallsy broke his arm trying to type a reply
- ChonDerry

- RatedR80

Condors are going to be loaded next year
- RatedR80

Maksimov, McLeod and Safin isn't amazing as far as forwards go, but the D pool coming in looks excellent! Bouchard, Samorukov, Persson and maybe Berglund and Marino all stepping in with one of Lagesson or Jones, Bear and probably Lowe still around.

Billy Legs- Bouch
Sammy- Bear
Lowe- Persson

Split time evenly across those pairings. A wealth of R shot offensive D for Benson to set up, though

Maksimov, McLeod and Safin isn't amazing as far as forwards go, but the D pool coming in looks excellent! Bouchard, Samorukov, Persson and maybe Berglund and Marino all stepping in with one of Lagesson or Jones, Bear and probably Lowe still around.

Billy Legs- Bouch
Sammy- Bear
Lowe- Persson

Split time evenly across those pairings. A wealth of R shot offensive D for Benson to set up, though
- MaximumBone

I wonder if we flip one of those d for a forward prospect.

The Edmonton Oilers defensive group only costs $2.1 Million less than that of the Hurricanes.

Nino Niederreiter and Calvin de Haan, both acquired this season, cost less combined than Milan Lucic and Kris Russel do.

Okay I'll stop.

I wonder if we flip one of those d for a forward prospect.
- Reveen.

My choice would be Bear as I don't think Persson brings what we'd need and I want to keep the L shots to possibly replace Nurse/Klefbom down the road.

Notable independent OHL scout Brock Otten has called Samorukov perhaps the best Dman in the OHL since Merkley got traded away from his team. His already refined defensive and transition game was now free to flourish offensively and flourish he has. 7 goals, 30 assists, 88 shots and +29 in 33 games since returning from the WJC. Other scouts have said Bouchard has been the most dominant Dman in the league thanks to his elevating is game in the ways he needed to.

It's not unreasonable to say that the Oilers have two of the top Dmen in the OHL this year.

The Edmonton Oilers defensive group only costs $2.1 Million less than that of the Hurricanes.

Nino Niederreiter and Calvin de Haan, both acquired this season, cost less combined than Milan Lucic and Kris Russel do.

Okay I'll stop.
- BINGO!

Don't stop on our account... There is no shame in tossing one off while talking to a bunch of dudes while spewing useless facts.

Don't stop on our account... There is no shame in tossing one off while talking to a bunch of dudes while spewing useless facts.
- Reveen.

Love to rub it in while rubbing it out

The Edmonton Oilers defensive group only costs $2.1 Million less than that of the Hurricanes.

Nino Niederreiter and Calvin de Haan, both acquired this season, cost less combined than Milan Lucic and Kris Russel do.

Okay I'll stop.
- BINGO!

Ryan Nugent Hopkins and Darnell Nurse cost less combined than Jordan Staal and Calvin de Haan combined.

Ryan Nugent Hopkins and Darnell Nurse cost less combined than Jordan Staal and Calvin de Haan combined.



- Reveen.

hmm

Maksimov, McLeod and Safin isn't amazing as far as forwards go, but the D pool coming in looks excellent! Bouchard, Samorukov, Persson and maybe Berglund and Marino all stepping in with one of Lagesson or Jones, Bear and probably Lowe still around.

Billy Legs- Bouch
Sammy- Bear
Lowe- Persson

Split time evenly across those pairings. A wealth of R shot offensive D for Benson to set up, though
- MaximumBone

I actually have some hope for Maksimov but that might be due to our current situation.....I would be curious as to what a Samorukov-Bouchard pairing would look like.....wouldn’t mind seeing McLeod centering Maksimov next season.....I guess it will all just boil down as to who gets called up to the Oilers and who stays....not to mention draft picks that might be joining the Condors as well

hmm
- BINGO!

Don't stop on our account... There is no shame in tossing one off while talking to a bunch of dudes while spewing useless facts.
- Reveen.

I only tolorate the Canes because they will give Cherry a stroke

I only tolorate the Canes because they will give Cherry a stroke
- RatedR80

They would become my 2nd favorite team

They would become my 2nd favorite team
- Reveen.

It’s bad enough he makes zero sense anymore but his dial certainly goes from 6 to 12 when he goes off weekly on them....well at least they are profiting off of his rants

Cosentino has Kakko over Hughs on his new draft rankings.

Cosentino has Kakko over Hughs on his new draft rankings.
- wreckage

It’s good someone finally got it right

It’s bad enough he makes zero sense anymore but his dial certainly goes from 6 to 12 when he goes off weekly on them....well at least they are profiting off of his rants
- RatedR80

Somebody asked Tom Dundon if he expected an apology from Cherry. He said no, and he doesn't want one. Said if anything he should thank Don because he's made a ton of money off of him.

They sold $170k worth of those "Bunch of Jerks" shirts in three days.