Jared Crozier: Who Is Ready To Take That Next Step?

Good blog! I was having this same discussion with friends over the last week. One would hope that Lazar can and should benefit the most from the new coaching style. He was vastly underused by McLean and he skated in the shadows with Cameron. I think he has proven that he can play well defensively, now he needs a new point of view more focused on offensive development and risk taking. To score goals you need to take good risks. Lazar was heavily relied upon by two coaches who hated taking risks, so this kind of molded his attributes at the NHL level. Good thing he is still young enough to turn around and hopefully Boucher is the coach to lead him.

I don't expect much from any of the prospects you mentioned. I don't see any of them being anything more than 3rd line players. The only exception may be Lazar and that's just because I love the kid's attitude.

The players I see improving the most will be Stone, Hoffman, Pageau and Ceci. They are all capable and ready to take their game to another level.

Lazar is for sure the guy who needs to have a break out season. I don't think he is yet a shoe in to be an effective 3C. All I can think of is when he was getting school by Jagr along the boards. That's not the work of a strong defensive game. HI don't think his game is yet as rounded as everyone says it is.

They need to give him 10-15 games and send him to the A if it's still not working. It's no panic, Lazar is still young and needs better attention to detail. Where better than the A.

Give him 30 games in the A and he comes back a changed player then has a breakout 20 games. Next year is his break out year.

I expect Cody Ceci to have his break out year. Everyone trashes on his weakfish defensive game but he's never had a quality partner. Think of how playing with Cowen would affect the mental aspect of your game... your confidence. Cody Ceci will play a full year with confidence and I think we will hear crickets from all the haters.

Lazar is being developed the way the vast majority of players are. If anything he was brought to the NHL to soon. Drafted in 2013 returned to Major Jr for 1 more season he then should have probably played at least 1/2 a season in the AHL before being promoted, maybe even 1 full season but he proved reliable defensively.

In his rookie year his TOI/GP was 12:53, seeing virtually no PP time, 0:08 PP TOI/GP or short handed time, SH TOI/GP 0:29. In year 2 his TOI/GP jumped to 13:51 good for 9th among regulars at forward,PP TOI/GP 0:51 good for 12th among skaters & he became a regular on the penalty kill, SH TOI/GP 1:24 good for 4th among forwards but only 6 seconds off Chaisson at #2.

Going into year 3 I don't see his breakthrough coming this season although he will be significantly better poit wise. His minutes & PP time will increase into the 15 min range & he should make the top 10 on the PP so starting to see semi regular PP time on the 2nd unit. His breakthrough will come in 2017-18 at which poiunt he will start to become the player that a mid 1st round player should be. A solid 2nd line player. Not a stud or star just a solid dependable 2nd line player.

Which team fighting for 9th place has better odds, Vancouver or Ottawa?

I know they're in separate divisions but they're in a pretty similar situation. What do you guys think?

Serious replies only

Lazar is being developed the way the vast majority of players are. If anything he was brought to the NHL to soon. Drafted in 2013 returned to Major Jr for 1 more season he then should have probably played at least 1/2 a season in the AHL before being promoted, maybe even 1 full season but he proved reliable defensively.

In his rookie year his TOI/GP was 12:53, seeing virtually no PP time, 0:08 PP TOI/GP or short handed time, SH TOI/GP 0:29. In year 2 his TOI/GP jumped to 13:51 good for 9th among regulars at forward,PP TOI/GP 0:51 good for 12th among skaters & he became a regular on the penalty kill, SH TOI/GP 1:24 good for 4th among forwards but only 6 seconds off Chaisson at #2.

Going into year 3 I don't see his breakthrough coming this season although he will be significantly better poit wise. His minutes & PP time will increase into the 15 min range & he should make the top 10 on the PP so starting to see semi regular PP time on the 2nd unit. His breakthrough will come in 2017-18 at which poiunt he will start to become the player that a mid 1st round player should be. A solid 2nd line player. Not a stud or star just a solid dependable 2nd line player.
- striker777

I think Lazar was great but I think they rushed him into the NHL like you mentioned

Which team fighting for 9th place has better odds, Vancouver or Ottawa?

I know they're in separate divisions but they're in a pretty similar situation. What do you guys think?

Serious replies only
- AustonPowers

Which team has better odds of finishing 9th? Nobody cares

Which team fighting for 9th place has better odds, Vancouver or Ottawa?

I know they're in separate divisions but they're in a pretty similar situation. What do you guys think?

Serious replies only
- AustonPowers

If you parlay their odds to both ending in 9th then it's about the same as the Leafs making the playoffs.

If you parlay the above with Curtis Lazar getting top line minutes then you have the odds of the Leafs winning a playoff series

Serious Answer

If you parlay their odds to both ending in 9th then it's about the same as the Leafs making the playoffs.

If you parlay the above with Curtis Lazar getting top line minutes then you have the odds of the Leafs winning a playoff series

Serious Answer
- nohtingbutnet

Wait, there's a 99% change the Leafs make the playoffs?

Wait, there's a 99% change the Leafs make the playoffs?
- AustonPowers

C'mon, we both know it's a reach for VAN to end up anywhere higher than 10th

For my money, the 3 players most likely to take a major step forward in their development are Lazar, Wideman, and Puempel.

I'd also suggest that the 3 players most likely to take a major step backwards are MacArthur, Smith, and... Smith.

My expectations are actually way higher for Chabot, White and Brown. Paul I think could be a 3rd liners, Lazar is going to have to really step it up

I don't think it's really fair to put Lazar in the same "breakout" group as Paul and Puemple. Paul and Puemple would be breakouts to maintain a roster spot. A breakout for Lazar is much higher expectations. He's been around 2 years now and still looks like he handles the puck with a 2x4 slab.

I'd put Lazar with Stone and Ceci for "breakout" years. Ceci should finally show he's a solid top 4 guy and Stone should breakout to become a more apparent NHL star. I don't think Lazar has the offensive IQ to make a huge jump, but he should be able to be relied a little more for a 2 way game then just his defensive game.

As far as Puemple and Paul are concerned, I don't see Puemple making an impact in the NHL long term. Just doesn't seem to have that natural ability to score that's needed for a player like him. That's what he did in junior, but it doesn't seem to be translating to professional hockey. Paul I think could be a legit piece. He has an underrated skill set. He could be a real good power forward if he puts it all together. I think with the right coach he can be a top 6 player. Maybe Boucher is that guy.

For my money, the 3 players most likely to take a major step forward in their development are Lazar, Wideman, and Puempel.

I'd also suggest that the 3 players most likely to take a major step backwards are MacArthur, Smith, and... Smith.
- khawk

Puempel is a boom / bust at this point. I see him more being one of the best AHL scorers for the next 10 years then NHL ready. I don't think he ever makes it, he's more about who's on his line then what he's doing.

He just doesn't do anything on the ice when he's out there. He has a hunger for the net that's NHL level but do you see him doing anything else.

At least when Hoff was called up he would break into the zone and hit a cross bar - you could see his game break potential. Puempel only seems to be noticed when he's within 20 feet of the net and I just don't see that changing.

Of those 3 first round picks we took - man o man - replace the names Puempel and Noessen with Kucherov and Saad (who were both 1st round rated) and we are the best team in the Eastern conference

Unfortunately, none of those players are likely going to be impact NHLers.

Lazar could end up in the top 6 but that is only because Mac likely won't last too long.

Puempel, like Shane Prince, is just not an NHL player - not talented enough to be in the top 6 and not gritty/defensively-minded enough to be in the bottom 6.

Its still a bit too early to tell with Nick Paul. I don't seem him ever being much more than a depth guy.

On a contender, Lazar is a 4th liner and the other two are on the farm (or waivers in the case of Puempel).

Unfortunately, none of those players are likely going to be impact NHLers.

Lazar could end up in the top 6 but that is only because Mac likely won't last too long.

Puempel, like Shane Prince, is just not an NHL player - not talented enough to be in the top 6 and not gritty/defensively-minded enough to be in the bottom 6.

Its still a bit too early to tell with Nick Paul. I don't seem him ever being much more than a depth guy.

On a contender, Lazar is a 4th liner and the other two are on the farm (or waivers in the case of Puempel).
- Charliebox

As a 19 year old Lazar was a 4th liner. Havlat was a 4th liner on this team as a young player. Jason Spezza didn't make the lineup and the player Martin put in front of him was Antoine Vermette and Sens nation freaked.

Lazar is a winner at every level, he takes winning seriously, he is a stud. Does anyone call Bob Gainey a depth player, did anyone call Sami Pahlssen a 4th liner when Anaheim was skating around with the Stanley Cup?

Lazar is a super important part of this team , character, leadership, skill, speed, the kid has it all. He doesn't have the scoring touch of Alfie, but he will impact all 82 games he plays. He's that type of player. He finds ways to help us team win.

Most improved players this season in Ottawa: Lazar, & Wideman

Tuna99.

I agree. Lazar will be just fine. A great young player, he will just never be a superstar offensive player but will have a long prosperous NHL career.

I believe that Chabot will get ome playing time.

I also believe Ottawa will make a huge trade before Christmas for a top 6 skater.

I believe that Chabot will get ome playing time.

I also believe Ottawa will make a huge trade before Christmas for a top 6 skater.
- spatso

I hope Chabot gets NHL training camp, NHL pre season and then heads back east to New Brunswick.


If Sens bring in another top 6 that would leave Lazar exposed next summer in the Vegas draft.

I hope Chabot gets NHL training camp, NHL pre season and then heads back east to New Brunswick.


If Sens bring in another top 6 that would leave Lazar exposed next summer in the Vegas draft.
- Erik6Karlsson5

If a reason they don't want to bring in a top 6 guy is because they may lose Lazar in the expansion draft stops them that's pretty bad asset management. Haven't seen anything from Lazar at any level that shows he will be anything more then a decent bottom 6 player at this point.. move him in a package for the top 6 player

If a reason they don't want to bring in a top 6 guy is because they may lose Lazar in the expansion draft stops them that's pretty bad asset management. Haven't seen anything from Lazar at any level that shows he will be anything more then a decent bottom 6 player at this point.. move him in a package for the top 6 player
- ClarksonDavid

I agree......I'd move him if the right deal came along. He reminds me of Fisher. ....so many fans desperately want him to be better than he actually is that they're blinded by the fact that he's pretty average........I think fringe 2nd liner with a strong 2 way game is his ceiling

I agree......I'd move him if the right deal came along. He reminds me of Fisher. ....so many fans desperately want him to be better than he actually is that they're blinded by the fact that he's pretty average........I think fringe 2nd liner with a strong 2 way game is his ceiling
- sensarmy_11

His personality is probably what makes people really cheer for him though. Comes off as a great kid

His personality is probably what makes people really cheer for him though. Comes off as a great kid
- ClarksonDavid

definitely.....and he is a good player, he's just not the type of player that a lot of people were expecting him to be IMO.

This is what Cody Ceci could be:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgO9MwAxRh8

It's about the way he gets his first nhl goal more than anything. The ability to fake the shot, not panic in OT, the agility to pivot and glide over, then the quick snap shot through traffic. If Ceci can develop his two-way ability and increase his ability to read plays and simplify his game...the Sens can be a VERY good team offensively.