2pp goals and an empty netter are proof he drives a line at center?
- Michael Pachla

I don’t recall saying he “drives a line at Center”

He’s been incomparably more productive than our other Center options besides Eichel though
No one even remotely close

Fast enough to have scored 20goals
It’s not like ppl are claiming Sam is MacKinnon or anything

Maybe you’ve forgotten who our other 2Cs have been since the ROR trade???
- jdfitz77

He hasn't proven he can drive a line. No more than 10 of his 20 goals have come 5v5

I don’t recall saying he “drives a line at Center”

He’s been incomparably more productive than our other Center options besides Eichel though
No one even remotely close
- jdfitz77

That wasn't the point you were driving. I said he's ok at center, but not ideal. You became offended for some reason

He hasn't proven he can drive a line. No more than 10 of his 20 goals have come 5v5
- Michael Pachla

SO WHAT???

2pp goals and an empty netter are proof he drives a line at center?
- Michael Pachla

He is not a Center period. He’s played very well on the wing and I can’t see any coach wanting him to move to Center full time.

He is not a Center period. He’s played very well on the wing and I can’t see any coach wanting him to move to Center full time.
- Camel

Granato basically said he’s a center

That wasn't the point you were driving. I said he's ok at center, but not ideal. You became offended for some reason
- Michael Pachla[/quote]


I think u should go back & read the posts BETWEEN US
You’re spinning this in an odd direction

Why do u have to be fast or carry the biscuit well to be effective as a center???

His production proves u wrong
- jdfitz77

How does it prove me wrong, cause he scores on the PP has a couple goals at 5 on 5 since he started playing C. He's a good player, don't think he's a good Center.

He hasn't proven he can drive a line. No more than 10 of his 20 goals have come 5v5
- Michael Pachla

He’s literally driving a top line on a team missing it’s best player and they are winning games

They are + in goal share, Xg share, and usually win the shot share.

They also have been adequate defensively

In the last 16 games since Staal was traded he has 6 5 on 5 points which is tied with

Ryan O’Reilly
Claude Giroux
Sean Couturier
Brayden Point
Leon Draisaitl

He’s absolutely been producing at EV

He’s literally driving a top line on a team missing it’s best player and they are winning games

They are + in goal share, Xg share, and usually win the shot share.

They also have been adequate defensively

In the last 16 games since Staal was traded he has 6 5 on 5 points which is tied with

Ryan O’Reilly
Claude Giroux
Sean Couturier
Brayden Point
Leon Draisaitl

He’s absolutely been producing at EV
- sbroads24

But he’s slow....

How does it prove me wrong, cause he scores on the PP has a couple goals at 5 on 5 since he started playing C. He's a good player, don't think he's a good Center.
- Buff36

Why do u have to be fast or carry the biscuit well to be effective as a center???

U forgot to answer that

He’s literally driving a top line on a team missing it’s best player and they are winning games

They are + in goal share, Xg share, and usually win the shot share.

They also have been adequate defensively

In the last 16 games since Staal was traded he has 6 5 on 5 points which is tied with

Ryan O’Reilly
Claude Giroux
Sean Couturier
Brayden Point
Leon Draisaitl

He’s absolutely been producing at EV
- sbroads24

oh my

He’s literally driving a top line on a team missing it’s best player and they are winning games

They are + in goal share, Xg share, and usually win the shot share.

They also have been adequate defensively

In the last 16 games since Staal was traded he has 6 5 on 5 points which is tied with

Ryan O’Reilly
Claude Giroux
Sean Couturier
Brayden Point
Leon Draisaitl

He’s absolutely been producing at EV
- sbroads24

And mitts has 8 goals and 3 assists. And is driving his line

Why do u have to be fast or carry the biscuit well to be effective as a center???

U forgot to answer that
- jdfitz77

Yes it helps immensely when a C can carry the biscuit up ice. And No you don't have to be fast but it sure helps, and never said he needed to be fast, said he's slow.

And mitts has 8 goals and 3 assists. And is driving his line
- Michael Pachla

He is. I’m not sure what that has to do with Reinhart though?

Realistically they are playing with a good 2nd line in the Reinhart line, 2 really, really good third lines with Cozens/Mitts and it’s a passable forward group.

Add Eichel and a legit threat in the offseason and roll with it IMO

Yes it helps immensely when a C can carry the biscuit up ice. And No you don't have to be fast but it sure helps, and never said he needed to be fast, said he's slow.
- Buff36

So even though he’s slow, & can’t carry the biscuit,
Sam is STILL PRODUCING
In both raw numbers & even analytics as Sbroads pointed out

He is. I’m not sure what that has to do with Reinhart though?

Realistically they are playing with a good 2nd line in the Reinhart line, 2 really, really good third lines with Cozens/Mitts and it’s a passable forward group.

Add Eichel and a legit threat in the offseason and roll with it IMO
- sbroads24

I already laid it out that way...with skunk on echl's wing.

He is not a Center period. He’s played very well on the wing and I can’t see any coach wanting him to move to Center full time.
- Camel

- kingcong39

👏👏👏

And mitts has 8 goals and 3 assists. And is driving his line
- Michael Pachla

Deflection means you lost.

How does it prove me wrong, cause he scores on the PP has a couple goals at 5 on 5 since he started playing C. He's a good player, don't think he's a good Center.
- Buff36

So you are smarter than Granato?

Deflection means you lost.
- sabresfan69

Meaning this site is a cesspool of losing. And btw, he was touting Sam's six points in 16 games as a comparison with other centers. A team comparable at center was mitts and his 8 goals plus 3 assists. Hardly deflecting.

Dictionaries are our friends.

- kingcong39

He has had a pretty good career as a winger. Would he have had that same productivity as a Center. My opinion is no. Moving forward will he be as productive at Center as he was as a winger. My opinion is no. Can he play Center? My opinion is yes but he wont be as productive. Granato feels he is a Center and that’s fine. He’s a smart man and he’s the coach. Will he continue to think the same way into next year? I say not a chance.
Does my opinion matter to Granato? I say not a chance.

So you are smarter than Granato?
- sabresfan69

Never said I was, and that's why he's the coach. But this is a message board and we talk are thoughts right, it's my opinion doesn't make it yours.

I’ve compared Sam to RNH but the more I think of it I think the most accurate comp is Paul Stastny.

Ideally we can resign him and keep him in the fold.

He’s a top 6 forward whether at C or RW and he’s produced in all circumstances.

If he wants to arb his way to UFA that’s his right. They should deal him this offseason then for the most they can get for him.