He put up 39 points as a defenseman last year. I love Skjei but I don't think he's a breakout candidate. He already has broken out. - ToddCordellCGY
39 points isn't a "breakout" year for a player of Skjei's caliber. Just look at what he did in the playoffs! His shooting percentage is easily sustainable. McDavid should consider himself lucky if he comes close to his point totals this year. You'll see. You'll all see (except for jimbro who has already seen).
39 points isn't a "breakout" year for a player of Skjei's caliber. Just look at what he did in the playoffs! His shooting percentage is easily sustainable. McDavid should consider himself lucky if he comes close to his point totals this year. You'll see. You'll all see (except for jimbro who has already seen). - DARKSEID
The Penguins candidates are Sprong and Aston-Rees, and since they haven't played a single period of NHL hockey yet, I wouldn't bet on them although I have full confidence in their careers.
You're a Penguins fan, I get it, but you can laugh all you want. 19.8% in the regular season, 28.6 SH% in the playoffs. That's not sustainable. That's not a knock on Guentzel, I think he's a great kid and an excellent hockey player and I am excited to see what he does this year, but you have to approach his stats realistically. Unless he starts shooting more - a lot more, his goal totals are going to go down. Unless he gets PP time, his total points are going to drift towards the mean.
You're a Penguins fan, I get it, but you can laugh all you want. 19.8% in the regular season, 28.6 SH% in the playoffs. That's not sustainable. That's not a knock on Guentzel, I think he's a great kid and an excellent hockey player and I am excited to see what he does this year, but you have to approach his stats realistically. Unless he starts shooting more - a lot more, his goal totals are going to go down. Unless he gets PP time, his total points are going to drift towards the mean.
This is an unbiased, factual observation. - WaterVsAnchor
19.8 is like hall of famer level goal scoring tick. He'll be a 60 point per season producer but in not sure he's an all time great just yet.
The Penguins candidates are Sprong and Aston-Rees, and since they haven't played a single period of NHL hockey yet, I wouldn't bet on them although I have full confidence in their careers. - Victoro311
Sprong hasn't played a single period in the NHL yet? So this was all just a dream?
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Metro breakout player this year will be Jake Guentzel who will score more than 30 goals and Daniel Sprong who will also light it up depending on where he starts which would be on Mlakins wing if I was in charge. The are only 2 20 year olds who can shoot the puck like Sprong. He and Patrick Laine. - Dcoms
Location: I'll always remember the last words my grandfather ever told me. He said, "A Truck!", SK Joined: 09.21.2009
Sep 15 @ 1:39 PM ET
patience is paying off in Carolina. I am excited to watch them this season. - SolidGoldBricks
Best thing is going to be J.Staal actually getting some decent matchups. They're going to let Nordstrom-Kruger-McGinn/Jooris do the heavy lifting defensively
Best thing is going to be J.Staal actually getting some decent matchups. They're going to let Nordstrom-Kruger-McGinn/Jooris do the heavy lifting defensively - BINGO!
Is that a good thing? Staal's the best pure shut down center in the league. I feel like if he's on my team I want him going up against #1's.
You're a Penguins fan, I get it, but you can laugh all you want. 19.8% in the regular season, 28.6 SH% in the playoffs. That's not sustainable. That's not a knock on Guentzel, I think he's a great kid and an excellent hockey player and I am excited to see what he does this year, but you have to approach his stats realistically. Unless he starts shooting more - a lot more, his goal totals are going to go down. Unless he gets PP time, his total points are going to drift towards the mean.
This is an unbiased, factual observation. - WaterVsAnchor
I was commenting on your prediction of 45-50 pts bud not the SH%. I think he exceeds your projection.
I see 60 as a realistic possibility in a full season on Sid's wing. Assuming his assists pace remains the same from last season that should give him about 35. To hit 60 pts he would need 25 goals. If we take conservative look and assume he averages 2.025 shots per game like he did this past regular season, that works out to 166 shots overall and a SH% of ~15%. 20% might not be realistic but I think this is a fairly reasonable projection. Of course this is below his pace from last year and assumes no growth in his game.
I do believe his pp time will be going up, so if it exceeds this that might be a bonus. So yes, I am approaching this realistically
Location: I'll always remember the last words my grandfather ever told me. He said, "A Truck!", SK Joined: 09.21.2009
Sep 15 @ 1:53 PM ET
Is that a good thing? Staal's the best pure shut down center in the league. I feel like if he's on my team I want him going up against #1's. - Victoro311
Think the idea is that Staal is more likely to produce with a favourable match-up than Kruger is. Plus it'll be nicer match-ups for Aho and Lindholm.
I was commenting on your prediction of 45-50 pts bud not the SH%. I think he exceeds your projection.
I see 60 as a realistic possibility in a full season on Sid's wing. Assuming his assists pace remains the same from last season that should give him about 35. To hit 60 pts he would need 25 goals. If we take conservative look and assume he averages 2.025 shots per game like he did this past regular season, that works out to 166 shots overall and a SH% of ~15%. 20% might not be realistic but I think this is a fairly reasonable projection. Of course this is below his pace from last year and assumes no growth in his game.
I do believe his pp time will be going up, so if it exceeds this that might be a bonus. So yes, I am approaching this realistically - DeflatedPucks
It's possible, but I still think 15% is a long shot. That's way above average for most players. Very few active players with a career average at or above 15% but obviously being on Crosby's wing will elevate his SH% possibilities.
patience is paying off in Carolina. I am excited to watch them this season. 
