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I will continue with the 2 for 1 report cards in an effort to finish them this week so we can focus on the new season and finish our look back at the old.
Today we focus on a couple of the guys up the middle, starting with Kyle Turris and then Jean-Gabriel Pageau.
KYLE TURRIS
PRE-SEASON EXPECTATION
There was going to be a lot of pressure on Turris heading into the season, after Jason Spezza was traded and he was essentially defaulted as the team's #1 centre. There were some (myself included) who doubted his ability to be a top line pivot and felt he would struggle against the tougher matchups.
WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED
Essentially it was pretty much a carbon copy of his stats from the previous season. He scored 2 fewer goals, added 8 more assists to finish 6 points ahead of his 2013-14 pace. He even had the exact same number of shots on goal and was within 2 PIMs. The big difference was a substantial drop-off in +/-, from a +22 to just a +5 rating.
THE HARD STATS
THE FANCY STATS
Turris still has a way to go to be in the category of the real #1 centers in the division.
THE "KEY" STATS
Despite playing almost a minute per game more on the PP and a minute more at even strength, Turris' production was better but it wasn't as much of an increase as you might have expected.
FUTURE OUTLOOK
Turris will continue to get better, but he might never reach that true #1C level. He is adequate, but will always be looked at as a decent #2 and will be pointed at as an area that the team will need to upgrade if they want to be a true contender.
GRADE: He at least showed that he was capable of playing the tough minutes, and hasn't missed a game in 3 seasons. A full season with Mark Stone on his wing could increase his offensive production. B+ .
JEAN-GABRIEL PAGEAU
PRE-SEASON EXPECTATION
A victim of the numbers game (a two-way deal on a team with too many one way contracts), Pageau started the season in Binghamton. He was expected to play well in the "A" and we would see what would happen when he got his inevitable chance.
WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED
Pageau got his chance when Curtis Lazar was loaned to Team Canada, and he became a fixture in the lineup. Great defensive play combined with a strong forecheck made his line with Erik Condra and Curtis Lazar one of the better 3rd lines in the league, and a lot of nights down the stretch they were the most consistent trio.
THE HARD STATS
THE FANCY STATS
Pageau is younger than most of the guys on this list, and is relied on more for defensive zone starts, but still has comparable or better possession numbers than most of his counterparts.
THE "KEY" STATS
Pageau had one more goal than David Legwand, who played 30 more games and saw a ton more power play time.
FUTURE OUTLOOK
Pageau is certainly a fan favorite, and one who does a lot of the little things that make a team successful. He is a quality penalty killer who could score 15-20 goals in a third line role. If he can develop into the type of player that Darren Helm is in Detroit, the Senators will be happy and he will have a pretty long career.
GRADE: Pageau stepped in and made some other players expendable (Zack Smith for one). He is a quality player who I wasn't sold on heading into the season and certainly exceeded my expectations, and he is only going to get better in his role. I still don't know if he will be a 20 goal guy, but 15 and solid defensive zone play is enough. B+ .
If you missed them, check out prior Report Cards: