Travis Yost: Don't Forget About Me!

If he stays healthy and gets some protected ice time + power play time, I think he could hit 20 goals. He'll be a good guy to move up and down the lineup depending on others' play. He can fill different roles and maybe his value is in his versatility.

Not sure he is worth the contract (as I think the cap could have been better used on another player), but he should fill a useful role. I guess...

Michalek's game is all about speed. If he gets his legs back, we have a great winger to compliment the lineup. If his speed disappears like it has for the past couple of seasons, he's a replaceable player. He doesn't have the the pure skill make up to thrive playing at a slower pace. I'm doubtful that he finds the speed we all fell in love with when he first came to town after the Heatley trade. Resigning him was a surprising move considering the wingers we have waiting in the wings.

My prediction is that he starts playing with Zibanejad at the start of the season, but will probably get shuffled around quite a bit. I expect similar splits to last year. 17ish goals, 22ish assists.

One thing I've wondered about is that Mclean could throw out different combination of lines fairly regularly. We have a more well rounded roster than ever before in terms of overall skill level and style of play. That could create more variety of line combinations and therefore make the squad less predictable for opposing teams. Not sure that necessarily happens, but it seems we are gone from the days of pairing playmakers with snipers and just putting out players that can do a bit of everything.

Zero expectations, never liked him and wished he wasn't brought back.

I expect that he will pick up where he left off at the end of the season when playing with Spezza and Hemsky.

20g/25a season.

I would like to see him play with ZBad and Ryan

I legitimately forgot that Michalek was even still on this team.

I think he could produce 35 points as a third liner with Legwand and Chaisson. I would rather see Zibby playing with Hoffman and Ryan.

It seemed to me last season that Michalek's 20-goal seasons were a thing of the past. Even playing for Spezza, it looked like he was slow and wasn't at the right places to score goals; however, when Spezza got injured and Zibanejad centered him, he looked revitalized. I'm not sure of the specific stats, but I remember that him and Zibanejad were producing quite a bit for a nice little stretch. So as far expectations go for this coming season it's 50/50. He either scores 20-25 goals, or plays on the third line with either Legwand/Smith and scores 10 goals.

bounce back year. 60 points

Travis Yost: Don't Forget About Me!
- Travis Yost

You think they should start tending offers for Ryan now?
I don't see the Owner paying him what he will be looking for on the market.

edit: sorry to go off topic

Somewhere between 35-50 points would probably be accurate

You think they should start tending offers for Ryan now?
I don't see the Owner paying him what he will be looking for on the market.
- puckhead17

If melnyk decided to give phillips an extension you can bet your ass that ryan will also get signed long term. Otherwise the melnyk/murray combo would be looked down upon as the very worst in the league, even behind great guys like wang and garth snow.

If melnyk decided to give phillips an extension you can bet your ass that ryan will also get signed long term. Otherwise the melnyk/murray combo would be looked down upon as the very worst in the league, even behind great guys like wang and garth snow.
- karlsson

Phillips signing for $2.5 mill a year I agree, but for Ryan to stay?

I could see him asking for 7-8 years, $6.5-$7 mill a year, I can't see Melnyk doing that, with his money issues, and the return will be less waiting until the trade deadline to move him.

Phillips signing for $2.5 mill a year I agree, but for Ryan to stay?

I could see him asking for 7-8 years, $6.5-$7 mill a year, I can't see Melnyk doing that, with his money issues, and the return will be less waiting until the trade deadline to move him.
- puckhead17

If Ryan would except a 7 year deal at $6.5 per, this deal would've been signed weeks ago. Book it!

Travis Yost: Don't Forget About Me!
- Travis Yost

Will you stand above me?
Look my way, never love me
Rain keeps falling, rain keeps falling
Down, down, down

If Ryan would except a 7 year deal at $6.5 per, this deal would've been signed weeks ago. Book it!
- Erik6Karlsson5

Not so sure Melnyk would pay that.

Not so sure Melnyk would pay that.
- puckhead17

In two years a 5 m dollar and 7.5m dollar contracts disappeared from the accounting books. Also plus the new Rogers TV deal gives him a lot more money to spend. He can afford it... The cost of not resigning Ryan is almost the same as signing him. The team needs a pure sniper...

Michalek's game is all about speed. If he gets his legs back, we have a great winger to compliment the lineup. If his speed disappears like it has for the past couple of seasons, he's a replaceable player. He doesn't have the the pure skill make up to thrive playing at a slower pace. I'm doubtful that he finds the speed we all fell in love with when he first came to town after the Heatley trade. Resigning him was a surprising move considering the wingers we have waiting in the wings.

My prediction is that he starts playing with Zibanejad at the start of the season, but will probably get shuffled around quite a bit. I expect similar splits to last year. 17ish goals, 22ish assists
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

I really agree with the speed portion. Look, Michalek played with Joe Thornton for years - - scoring 22-26 goals (once hit 26). One magical year he scores 35 with Spezza but I doubt he'll ever hit that with his injury issues. Having said that, Michalek finished with a -25 this past season; I think he won't be close to that this season or in the next 3 years. He's going to have a new center that can actually skate; whether its Legwand or Zibanejad

I think he could produce 35 points as a third liner with Legwand and Chaisson. I would rather see Zibby playing with Hoffman and Ryan.
- Tidler

I'm still not sold on Hoffman in the top six, but we really don't have any options unless someone (maybe Matt Puempel) really turns heads out of camp.

I think he could produce 35 points as a third liner with Legwand and Chaisson. I would rather see Zibby playing with Hoffman and Ryan.
- Tidler

Agreed.

I'm still not sold on Hoffman in the top six, but we really don't have any options unless someone (maybe Matt Puempel) really turns heads out of camp.
- synthetek

I'd like to at least give Hoffman a chance up there for half a season before I rule it out, better than handing the spot back to Michalek, who didn't play like a top 6 forward at all last year.

I'm still not sold on Hoffman in the top six, but we really don't have any options unless someone (maybe Matt Puempel) really turns heads out of camp.
- synthetek

I really have a feeling Stone is going to prove he is a legitimate top 6 guy. We have lots of potential on the wings with Stone, Chaisson, Hoffman, and Puempel. I only see two guys getting a shot out of the gate. Chaisson is close to a lock to make the team which leaves one spot really unless the Sens come to their senses and scratch Greening and Neil. I see Puemple getting an NHL chance in the second half of the season if injuries arise.

I have the same feeling about Hoffman. Not hugely sold on the guy, but he has had success in the AHL and has a one way deal. He will get one last shot, if he falters, it won't take long to replace him. If he thrives, we are golden.

I'd like to at least give Hoffman a chance up there for half a season before I rule it out, better than handing the spot back to Michalek, who didn't play like a top 6 forward at all last year.
- TommyDeVito

I really hope Michalek can find his game again and he doesn't become a roster plug. Tired of Greening, Phillips, and Neil taking up roster spots, would suck to see Michalek become one as well.

Phillips signing for $2.5 mill a year I agree, but for Ryan to stay?

I could see him asking for 7-8 years, $6.5-$7 mill a year, I can't see Melnyk doing that, with his money issues, and the return will be less waiting until the trade deadline to move him.
- puckhead17

Bobby ryan coming to pittsburgh at deadline pittsburgh has the best de line this year