Anyone who has ever done a hockey pool knows that you should NEVER base your draft picks on the preseason. NHL players are out there playing with guys who really should be battling for a spot on a junior team…and yet every once in a while you get some interesting peeks into the players who might be ready…
Key Vets Looking Ready…
Matt Duchene…
After two games in the preseason, Duchene is on a full season pace of 294 points. Ok…maybe he doesn’t quite get to 300…but 7 points in 2 games at least gives Preds fans reason to believe that last season’s rebound may still be going. Grimaldi’s 5 points in 3 gams and Jeanot’s 5 in two games have led the Preds to a 3-0 start, scoring 16 and allowing only 5 in three games…2 of those games against the Panthers. Now in Europe.
Timo Meier…
Quietly, the Sharks are being called “sleepers’ this season. I am not so sure about that, but Meier 7 points in three games, along with a young player i will talk about below, is really a great sign for this normally playoff bound franchise.
Jack Eichel…
Ok…those picking the Knights out of the playoffs beware. Jack Eichel is finally healthy and talking to people who have watched him so far he looks every bit the guy who went 1A in the 2015 draft. If he is all that look out. If he is all that the Knights WILL make the playoffs.. He has 3 goals in just two games so far…but looks crazy good.
Logan Brown…
Once a really top prospect for the Sens after he was taken 11th overall in 216, he fell into a solid 4th line role in St Louis last year. He would be a mid 6 guy on most teams, but the Blues depth can’t be understated. He has scored 4 goals in 3 games in the pre-season. By the way, 4 goals on 5 shots…
Key Off-Season Acquisitions with Early Impact.
Brent Burns…
Played only one game…but scored twice. The Canes have NEVER had a dynamic defenseman like Burns, and a guy who will make the Canes more fun to watch than maybe ever before…
Mason Marchment…
The Panthers could NOT have been happy losing this guy. He is most certainly one for my favorite players out there and I believe Florida will lose some of their game as a result. He makes you hate to play whatever team he is on…plus he scores! 3 goals in 2 games for the Stars..
Tyler Motte…
The Rangers wanted him at the deadline badly, but let him go to Ottawa in the summer. 5 points in three games for the Swift playing Sens…
Mark Giordano…
The Leafs got an absolute steal with this signing…4 assists in 2 games, when Gio becomes comfortable he will not only add points, but become the leader of this young D-corps..
Young Guns Showing Stuff…
Daniil Gushchin…
The 20 year old Shark netted a Hattrick against Vegas and added a goal and am assist in his other game. He is a VERY dynamic Russian with all kinds of skills. Will he make the NHL squad? Hard to keep him out for long….
Nick Robinson…
Three goals in three games for the Leafs. Robinson could add EVEN more depth to a team already loaded with goals. Robinson also plays the game so fast he will make others around him that much better…
Yegor Chinakhov..
He looks a lot more at home this season after playing his first season in the NHL with the Jackets last year. His 7 goals in 64 games was nothing to write home about for the 21st player taken overall in 2020…In three preseason games he has netted 3 goals and shown his pedigree more and more..
Mason MacTavish…
It’s easy to pick the Ducks as a bottom feeder this year…I am not so sure. Mason MacTavish has arrived and he is ALL that. many are saying he is overrated due to the Olympics and Juniors, etc. he is NOT. Did you see his shootout goal against Jonathan Quick last night? Unreal quick move and change of speed that looked like the move from a well aged veteran sniper…
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