Todd Cordell: Breakout picks from the North Division

Dont sleep on Dube either.
He is a man now and I expect his game and role to elevate fast.
IMO Dube has a higher ceiling than Mang.

I think breakout candidates are subjective to how much you think they have to outperform expectations to be considered one.

While valimaki I expect to be a solid 3rd pair D to start his career, in my opinion a breakout for him would be to boot hanifin out of the top 4 which while not impossible I find to be less likely than my choice.

Same goes for Suzuki, I expect further development but to be a breakout candidate he would have to solidify himself as a first line C. Once again not impossible but a tough task for sure.

I would replace those two with dube and kotkaniemi.

Dube has improved every year and with lindholm likely moving to C there may be a top six wing spot open for him to take.

Kotkaniemi got hit with the sophomore jinx terribly. While the sample size is short he looked like he not only returned to rookie form in the bubble but actually improved. While the habs may not have the roster with the most talent they do have enough depth in their top nine that he’ll be playing with some good players to help him.

Lastly while I do see at least one more year of Mangiapane improving I’m not sure I would consider him a breakout. I think he’s been underrated for a long time and if anything that will come to an end playing under a larger spotlight due to these season’s format

Agree on Dube, his inclusion in the top 6 could push someone down the lineup. He’s exceeded at every level he’s played at and don’t expect that to change now.

Agree on Dube, his inclusion in the top 6 could push someone down the lineup. He’s exceeded at every level he’s played at and don’t expect that to change now.
- K-man25

Personally what I would do is push backlund down to 3C and make that our shutdown line. Doing so would force the opposition to decide between a tkachuck line and Gaudreau line to match their top defenders against.

Personally what I would do is push backlund down to 3C and make that our shutdown line. Doing so would force the opposition to decide between a tkachuck line and Gaudreau line to match their top defenders against.
- RedC21

If it was me, I’d be playing Johnny on the RW with Tkachuk. He played there in college , not sure why this hasn’t been tried yet.

Personally what I would do is push backlund down to 3C and make that our shutdown line. Doing so would force the opposition to decide between a tkachuck line and Gaudreau line to match their top defenders against.
- RedC21

100%

If it was me, I’d be playing Johnny on the RW with Tkachuk. He played there in college , not sure why this hasn’t been tried yet.
- K-man25

Chucky Lindy JG
Mang Mony Dube
Benny Backs Leivo
Lucic Ryan Simon/Nordstrom

Chucky Lindy JG
Mang Mony Dube
Benny Backs Leivo
Lucic Ryan Simon/Nordstrom
- DEDDIE

I like that lineup but,
Chucky, Sammy, Johnny
Doobie, Monny, Lindy
Mang, backs, Levio
The rest

Thanks Todd!

I think Leivo will get shot with JG and SM. Could see him having a really good year.

Tkachuk-Lindholm-Mange (Top line able to go up against other teams top lines)
JG-SM-Leivo (Leivo supposedly has a good shot and some size to crash the net)
Luc-SB-Dube (Energy line)
Ryan-Backs-Simon/Nords (true shutdown role)

Mikko Lehtonen

Best defenseman in the KHL. As long as he’s given a shot, he’ll thrive

If it was me, I’d be playing Johnny on the RW with Tkachuk. He played there in college , not sure why this hasn’t been tried yet.
- K-man25

I think it was tried momentarily last season but I think it would only be used if we could rely on our bottom six for a heavier defensive workload.

What I would be open to in that scenario:

Tkachuck-lindholm-Mangiapane
Monahan-backlund-Gaudreau

I think monahan’s game has become a little too 1 dimensional for center and playing wing will help relieve him of some defensive responsibility allowing him to open up more offensively. As well backlund can also help compensate for both Mony and Gaudreau’s defensive issues.

Thanks Todd!

I think Leivo will get shot with JG and SM. Could see him having a really good year.

Tkachuk-Lindholm-Mange (Top line able to go up against other teams top lines)
JG-SM-Leivo (Leivo supposedly has a good shot and some size to crash the net)
Luc-SB-Dube (Energy line)
Ryan-Backs-Simon/Nords (true shutdown role)
- DuranDuran

That may not be a bad idea. I may be wrong but I get the impression leivo is like a less physical version/more offensively talented version of Michael ferland. Therefore that’s could very well be a good fit.

Also as much as I liked them together in the playoffs and I’m not sure they even start the season together but I don’t think the looch-Bennett-Dube line will last longer than 10 games

That may not be a bad idea. I may be wrong but I get the impression leivo is like a less physical version/more offensively talented version of Michael ferland. Therefore that’s could very well be a good fit.

Also as much as I liked them together in the playoffs and I’m not sure they even start the season together but I don’t think the looch-Bennett-Dube line will last longer than 10 games
- RedC21

I think it all depends on which Bennett shows up. If its playoff Bennett that line will do well. Might have to toss Ryan in for Looch if he cannot keep up. But would be huge if that line could crash and bang like they did in the post season.

I think it all depends on which Bennett shows up. If its playoff Bennett that line will do well. Might have to toss Ryan in for Looch if he cannot keep up. But would be huge if that line could crash and bang like they did in the post season.
- DuranDuran

I agree but I will also add that you can get away with a lot more in the playoffs than what you can in the regular season. Looch tends to disappear when he’s not playing physical and Bennett tends to get into penalty trouble. If they can find a way to toe that fine line consistently than by all means, but I’m betting on the way they played most of last year[url]

I agree but I will also add that you can get away with a lot more in the playoffs than what you can in the regular season. Looch tends to disappear when he’s not playing physical and Bennett tends to get into penalty trouble. If they can find a way to toe that fine line consistently than by all means, but I’m betting on the way they played most of last year
- RedC21[url]

You are probably right, I think I am expecting a little too much out of those two.


Maybe Bennett-Backs-Dube could be a thing.

I agree but I will also add that you can get away with a lot more in the playoffs than what you can in the regular season. Looch tends to disappear when he’s not playing physical and Bennett tends to get into penalty trouble. If they can find a way to toe that fine line consistently than by all means, but I’m betting on the way they played most of last year
- RedC21[url]

In a 56 game season, the games are going to be more playoff intense than if its stretched over the regular 82 game full season. Just the back to backs & 3 game series against same team will cause games to get a lot more nastier than usual.
Really hoping Looch steps up & does what he's capable of.

In a 56 game season, the games are going to be more playoff intense than if its stretched over the regular 82 game full season. Just the back to backs & 3 game series against same team will cause games to get a lot more nastier than usual.
Really hoping Looch steps up & does what he's capable of.
- Kevin R

Totally agree Kevin
When Looch comes out and says how much fun it’s going to be playing in the Canadian division we should expect no less from him. There’s going to be some heated play for sure. I’m more excited about the playoff type season than I’ve been in a while.
Feel the hate!

Flames sign Zary today

Flames sign Zary today
- Ol_Boy_Wop

Never unexpected to sign a first round pick but always good news to sign a prospect none the less.

He reminds me a lot of monahan and I think assuming he plays a lot of sheltered minutes to start his career he will be put in a good position to develop the areas of his game that monahan lacks in. He definitely has the potential to be top six center and while it’s usually over optimistic to label his ceiling the same as a style comparable, with proper development he may even be better

Never unexpected to sign a first round pick but always good news to sign a prospect none the less.

He reminds me a lot of monahan and I think assuming he plays a lot of sheltered minutes to start his career he will be put in a good position to develop the areas of his game that monahan lacks in. He definitely has the potential to be top six center and while it’s usually over optimistic to label his ceiling the same as a style comparable, with proper development he may even be better
- RedC21

Does he not have a better 2 way game and is more of a passer?