Hard to have a decent season when the majority of the team around him was complete trash.

Other than Rodriguez, Baptiste, Bailey and Ullmark, there wasn't much else there to even remotely care about.

Murray did a bang up job of decimating that team.
- HonkFortheGoose

agreed

why so high on Nylander?
- Michael Pachla

It's not the Nylander, it's an approach to the game. The kid is talented, but honestly I have rarely watched him play. Putting young talent with O'rielly and Okposo protects him, builds CONFIDENCE, and gives him on the job fast experience.

Read the first chapter of Outliers (Ennis is talked about in it). If you put a guy who is equal (I don't see it) to the talent that the youth bring to that position, then we are not putting our best roster out there.

Pouliot's ceiling is fixed, young players aren't.

Putting him at that position only shows everyone out there that we play it safe.

The senators made it that far last year because they have true faith in each other. They believed as a group they could do it.

I believe we have more talent then them as a group

We should focus on long term chemistry, therefore let the youth run together

It's not the Nylander, it's an approach to the game. The kid is talented, but honestly I have rarely watched him play. Putting young talent with O'rielly and Okposo protects him, builds CONFIDENCE, and gives him on the job fast experience.

Read the first chapter of Outliers (Ennis is talked about in it). If you put a guy who is equal (I don't see it) to the talent that the youth bring to that position, then we are not putting our best roster out there.

Pouliot's ceiling is fixed, young players aren't.

Putting him at that position only shows everyone out there that we play it safe.

The senators made it that far last year because they have true faith in each other. They believed as a group they could do it.

I believe we have more talent then them as a group

We should focus on long term chemistry, therefore let the youth run together
- washedup20

I get your points, but also, failing shatters confidence...

this team has a new coach with new systems in place...the amerks also have a new coach and new systems in place...there will be a lot of adjustments and for me, regardless of the good points you made above, i'd still rather Nylander start the season, at least, in Rochester while this team gets it's bearings

A guy called "dreadful and beyond awful" in the top 6 is a huge problem. Admittedly I haven't watched much of this guy, but it's hard to get excited for this placement, especially with O'Reilly. I'm still hopeful Bailey makes a big impact to get that spot, which he'll be fighting to do in about 10 days.

Baptiste is probably the most ready, but he's the wrong wing. Idk, there's still time to trade Gus for some temporary LW relief. Pouliot in the top 6 reminds me of all the years that Matt Ellis started in the lineup. You knew you weren't very good if Ellis was on the roster. I don't think we can be good with Pouliot in the top 6, and you're pretty much guaranteed to bring O'Reilly's production down.

I get that there isn't a better option, really, but this would really hurt my enthusiasm for the season of this line comes to pass on opening night

A guy called "dreadful and beyond awful" in the top 6 is a huge problem. Admittedly I haven't watched much of this guy, but it's hard to get excited for this placement, especially with O'Reilly. I'm still hopeful Bailey makes a big impact to get that spot, which he'll be fighting to do in about 10 days.

Baptiste is probably the most ready, but he's the wrong wing. Idk, there's still time to trade Gus for some temporary LW relief. Pouliot in the top 6 reminds me of all the years that Matt Ellis started in the lineup. You knew you weren't very good if Ellis was on the roster. I don't think we can be good with Pouliot in the top 6, and you're pretty much guaranteed to bring O'Reilly's production down.

I get that there isn't a better option, really, but this would really hurt my enthusiasm for the season of this line comes to pass on opening night
- jcragcrumple

i'm not that worried...o'reilly and Okposo have worked extremely well as a duo no matter who their linemate was

I get your points, but also, failing shatters confidence...

this team has a new coach with new systems in place...the amerks also have a new coach and new systems in place...there will be a lot of adjustments and for me, regardless of the good points you made above, i'd still rather Nylander start the season, at least, in Rochester while this team gets it's bearings
- Michael Pachla

What better time then to put him in then when the entire team is starting new

A guy called "dreadful and beyond awful" in the top 6 is a huge problem. Admittedly I haven't watched much of this guy, but it's hard to get excited for this placement, especially with O'Reilly. I'm still hopeful Bailey makes a big impact to get that spot, which he'll be fighting to do in about 10 days.

Baptiste is probably the most ready, but he's the wrong wing. Idk, there's still time to trade Gus for some temporary LW relief. Pouliot in the top 6 reminds me of all the years that Matt Ellis started in the lineup. You knew you weren't very good if Ellis was on the roster. I don't think we can be good with Pouliot in the top 6, and you're pretty much guaranteed to bring O'Reilly's production down.

I get that there isn't a better option, really, but this would really hurt my enthusiasm for the season of this line comes to pass on opening night
- jcragcrumple

Technically, Bailey is the wrong wing as well. He's generally always played RW like Baptiste, but they knew there was a gaping hole at LW last year, so they got him time on that side in Rochester. But it's not what he's used to by any means.

There's something to be said for seeing Baptiste push for a spot on the roster alongside Eichel. The speed of those two together could be a lot of fun to watch. And he's got a pretty good set of hands.

What better time then to put him in then when the entire team is starting new
- washedup20

If Botterill and Housley think he's ready, he'll be in then. Botterill said in his press conference immediately after being hired that if a guy is ready, he'll be on the roster. If he's not, he'll be back in the A until he is. Whether that's a whole season, 2 seasons, or 2 months. Once they're ready, they'll be here.

i'm not that worried...o'reilly and Okposo have worked extremely well as a duo no matter who their linemates were
- Michael Pachla

Yeah but there's no doubt in my mind carrier dragged that line down. He was playing with the most experienced players and got like 6 points or something. O'Reilly isn't able to carry guys to offensive success, and to hamstring him with these quasi scrubs is a waste of his prime.

What better time then to put him in then when the entire team is starting new
- washedup20

too much change?

Botterill comes from Pittsburgh where they developed their players at their own pace...no reason to think that will change here...

if Nylander has a good camp, I have no problem with him getting a look in the top-six, but i'm of the opinion that it will need to be a very impressive camp for that to happen

Yeah but there's no doubt in my mind carrier dragged that line down. He was playing with the most experienced players and got like 6 points or something. O'Reilly isn't able to carry guys to offensive success, and to hamstring him with these quasi scrubs is a waste of his prime.
- jcragcrumple

true, but o'reilly still finished second on the team in scoring despite missing 10 games of his own and Okposo missing 17...Okposo himself finished fourth

too much change?

Botterill comes from Pittsburgh where they developed their players at their own pace...no reason to think that will change here...

if Nylander has a good camp, I have no problem with him getting a look in the top-six, but i'm of the opinion that it will need to be a very impressive camp for that to happen
- Michael Pachla

Every player that makes the roster better have an impressive camp.

The glass is half full not half empty my friend

I don't see it but it's great to think about.

The only reason I don't see it is what sort of cap hit he is going to command especially on the open market.

Eichel, Tavares, and ROR down the middle looks amazing on paper but the cap hits are insane.

Now if that ROR for an extended Tavares rumor were true that's something different to discuss.
- Stripes77

You trade ROR in that scenario.

Technically, Bailey is the wrong wing as well. He's generally always played RW like Baptiste, but they knew there was a gaping hole at LW last year, so they got him time on that side in Rochester. But it's not what he's used to by any means.

There's something to be said for seeing Baptiste push for a spot on the roster alongside Eichel. The speed of those two together could be a lot of fun to watch. And he's got a pretty good set of hands.
- HonkFortheGoose

True. He's still my number one pick for this spot, or if not, move Kane with ROR and put girgs or Bailey with Eichel.

ROR could use the speed on that line and Girgs can create space for Eichel. Or, ya know just offer sheet athanasiou but thats clearly not gonna happen with Eichel and Reino coming up

whoever he is he stinks

I 365 can find math to support this statement

It's not the Nylander, it's an approach to the game. The kid is talented, but honestly I have rarely watched him play. Putting young talent with O'rielly and Okposo protects him, builds CONFIDENCE, and gives him on the job fast experience.

Read the first chapter of Outliers (Ennis is talked about in it). If you put a guy who is equal (I don't see it) to the talent that the youth bring to that position, then we are not putting our best roster out there.

Pouliot's ceiling is fixed, young players aren't.

Putting him at that position only shows everyone out there that we play it safe.

The senators made it that far last year because they have true faith in each other. They believed as a group they could do it.

I believe we have more talent then them as a group

We should focus on long term chemistry, therefore let the youth run together
- washedup20

whoever he is he stinks

I 365 can find math to support this statement
- Der Kaiser

#signjagr

A guy called "dreadful and beyond awful" in the top 6 is a huge problem. Admittedly I haven't watched much of this guy, but it's hard to get excited for this placement, especially with O'Reilly. I'm still hopeful Bailey makes a big impact to get that spot, which he'll be fighting to do in about 10 days.

Baptiste is probably the most ready, but he's the wrong wing. Idk, there's still time to trade Gus for some temporary LW relief. Pouliot in the top 6 reminds me of all the years that Matt Ellis started in the lineup. You knew you weren't very good if Ellis was on the roster. I don't think we can be good with Pouliot in the top 6, and you're pretty much guaranteed to bring O'Reilly's production down.

I get that there isn't a better option, really, but this would really hurt my enthusiasm for the season of this line comes to pass on opening night
- jcragcrumple

If Pouliot is our #2 LW then we are fighting it out with Detroit, Vegas and the Canucks for darlin' Dahlin.

I think Pouliot is going to surprise some of you wieners

I think Pouliot is going to surprise some of you wieners
- chilliard77

benoit (balls) isn't going to be the reason we compete for dahlin. Seriously he can at least keep up unlike foligno

That sorta went downhill quickly.

Value guys like Pommer and Pouliot are going to be a big reason we make a jump this year (provided they stay relatively healthy)

Depth that can actually score will help our 5 on 5 production

That sorta went downhill quickly.
- walshyleafsfan

Can't you guys loan us Daniel?

You old people can't say anything about my subline anymore

Just saw someone washing his car when there is 20 cars wating for gas