I am sweating in anticipation to hear who the Flyers overrated selection is going to be...maybe everyone?
- Glak18

My guess would be Simmonds.

I remember having a discussion about Ekblad in his 2nd year. The comment was Ekblad was already a number 1 Dman, & analytics supported that. I replied by saying I'd like to see another year or 2. Then he got injured, & injured again. So maybe his playing style needed changing (a little like Tanger), & Ekblad hasn't been able to do what naturally comes to him.

So does injury have anything to do with players regression, especially multiple injuries in short time. I wouldn't say a player was overrated if injuries have (frank)ed him up.

That said, Tanger is probably the most overrated player based on his past year or 2 - even though I'm sure there's analytics that say otherwise. Analytics don't show players decisions all that well.

I'll hold this question until Xmas, as I hope Tanger has a great start (&finish) to the season. But is Tanger worth $8m, or, would a team pay him $8m if he hit FA now?
- Aussiepenguin

Overrated or development delayed? Ekblad stepping right in on D as an 18 yr old is pretty impressive, even though he was sheltered by Brian Campbell. I would say that concussions have adversely affected his development. After being out after being concussed by a Hendricks hit from behind the previous season, he lost time after getting another one at the World Cup. He missed the start of the season and probably returned too soon. Then he received still another later that season and was definitely rushed back by coach Rowe as he tried to save his own skin. As far as changing his style, he has said Boughner talked/worked with him about ways to not make himself as vulnerable to big hits. He is still young as an NHL Dman, who looked better and better as last year went on. He needs to improve his skating, though. I would agree with you that the development delay due to injuries does make it inaccurate to call him over rated, but considering his draft position and the hype after his Calder year, not to mention his contact, I understand why some do.
Oh, btw, DaLe Tallon didn't fire Gallant, GMTom Rowe and owner Viola's band of asst GMs are the ones to give your award to.

Boston: Marchand
Tampa: Stamkos
Toronto: Tavares
Buffalo: Eichel
Detroit: Everyone
Montreal: Price
Florida: Barkov
Ottawa: Karlsson
- Rinosaur

My god, you're re.......

My god, you're re.......
- TheCat29

"He's played like he's good, but he isn't."

This whole entire series of RW's blogs has been leading up to his glorious culmination in the biggest JMFJ bashing in history...at least since Barry left.
- jmatchett383

Plot Twist

I bet he goes with Cullen

Overrated or development delayed? Ekblad stepping right in on D as an 18 yr old is pretty impressive, even though he was sheltered by Brian Campbell. I would say that concussions have adversely affected his development. After being out after being concussed by a Hendricks hit from behind the previous season, he lost time after getting another one at the World Cup. He missed the start of the season and probably returned too soon. Then he received still another later that season and was definitely rushed back by coach Rowe as he tried to save his own skin. As far as changing his style, he has said Boughner talked/worked with him about ways to not make himself as vulnerable to big hits. He is still young as an NHL Dman, who looked better and better as last year went on. He needs to improve his skating, though. I would agree with you that the development delay due to injuries does make it inaccurate to call him over rated, but considering his draft position and the hype after his Calder year, not to û his contact, I understand why some do.
Oh, btw, DaLe Tallon didn't fire Gallant, GMTom Rowe and owner Viola's band of asst GMs are the ones to give your award to.
- Ratsreign

That's right, then he made himself the coach didn't he?


Yes I wouldn't say Ekblad is overrated. Maybe in 3/4 years but not now.

Plot Twist

I bet he goes with Cullen
- RoloTahmasee

Matt Murray.

I think it would be embarrassing to call Culldog (a player of how many years in the NHL? How many Cups?), overrated now he's 55 years old! Just a no no!

That's right, then he made himself the coach didn't he?


Yes I wouldn't say Ekblad is overrated. Maybe in 3/4 years but not now.
- Aussiepenguin

Yes he did. Rowe and Gallant clashed. Gallant wasn't down with all of the offseason changes and early season roster moves, and finally, in frustration, said a few things publicly. Rowe then made a couple more moves that almost seemed were made just to piss Gallant off, while also showing him who was in control. Soon after was the Carolina cab ride.
Firing Gallant was a kick in the nuts to the team already trying to adjust to a lot of offseason changes while dealing with injuries to key players, as they loved playing for him (see; Vegas). The boys that looked so happy playing hockey the previous year now mostly wore the faces of schoolkids sitting in detention. Rowe being the complete anti-Gallant in nature and behavior only made it worse. He always looked miserable and would stand behind the bench fuming, looking like Elmer Fudd when Bugs Bunny was tormenting him. GM Rowe gave Reilly Smith his big extension, Coach Rowe publicly scapegoated Smith when he struggled. It was almost kind of funny when after FL swept a long late-season road trip to climb within a couple points of 8th, Elmer came out and said he loves coaching and may return next year....they didn't win again until (safely?) out of reach of playoffs. It wasn't hard to tell the team hated playing for him (I think he even often managed to wipe the smile from Jagr's face), especially considering who he replaced and how it went down. What a total (frank)ing fiasco it was.

Yes he did. Rowe and Gallant clashed. Gallant wasn't down with all of the offseason changes and early season roster moves, and finally, in frustration, said a few things publicly. Rowe then made a couple more moves that almost seemed were made just to piss Gallant off, while also showing him who was in control. Soon after was the Carolina cab ride.
Firing Gallant was a kick in the nuts to the team already trying to adjust to a lot of offseason changes while dealing with injuries to key players, as they loved playing for him (see; Vegas). The boys that looked so happy playing hockey the previous year now mostly wore the faces of schoolkids sitting in detention. Rowe being the complete anti-Gallant in nature and behavior only made it worse. He always looked miserable and would stand behind the bench fuming, looking like Elmer Fudd when Bugs Bunny was tormenting him. GM Rowe gave Reilly Smith his big extension, Coach Rowe publicly scapegoated Smith when he struggled. It was almost kind of funny when after FL swept a long late-season road trip to climb within a couple points of 8th, Elmer came out and said he loves coaching and may return next year....they didn't win again until (safely?) out of reach of playoffs. It wasn't hard to tell the team hated playing for him (I think he even often managed to wipe the smile from Jagr's face), especially considering who he replaced and how it went down. What a total (frank)ing fiasco it was.
- Ratsreign

I wouldn't be surprised to see you guys go well this season. Looking forward to the derby. Adding Hoffman (if the off ice stuff is sorted out), could be a real coup. Plus with all the attention is on other teams there's pretty much no pressure.

My guess would be Simmonds. -
j.boyd919

Def. Gonna be Simmonds. He is one of the few 30 goal scores that I have seen with a limited skill set.

Dont get me wrong, he is a smart player, he cleans up those rebounds well, does well with redirection and plays hard every game however he doesnt really possess any real puck handling skills. You will never see him dangle someone or make a pretty play. He wont score goals on the rush often. For some unknown reason he has been used in shootouts before Hakstol was hired and never really understood it. Dont think he has a shootout goal to date.

I like Simmonds but in my mind he will always be a 3rd line player at Even strength. Close to 40%-50% of his points are Powerplay points. Part of the reason for Phillys success last year was the increase of 5 on 5 production and I cant help but think moving Simmonds to the 3rd line helped with that.

Anyone considering kessel overrated is suspect and has no credibility for his time in Toronto. He was one of the only decent players on the team, and not the problem.

Drouin isn't overrated. The guy needs talent to play with. He's legit first line winger if he has similarly talented players to work with.

The rest of the list sounds good. I think Reilly could have been on this list but you can only have one per team.

Price or Weber for MTL....Neither live up to their salary and the praise they get.

Price or Weber for MTL....Neither live up to their salary and the praise they get.
- sammy87

Weber's legs were already gone at the time of the trade. Can't blame the guy for age.

Price or Weber for MTL....Neither live up to their salary and the praise they get.
- sammy87

Price is far from overrated. Bad contract, but far from overrated.

Drouin isn't overrated. The guy needs talent to play with. He's legit first line winger if he has similarly talented players to work with.

- kaptaan

100%

I'm fine with players who need to play with top talent to produce. There are plenty of players who can't handle playing with top line players, so being able to is a skill-set all in it's own.

For every player who CAN really only produce with top level players, there are probably four or five that can't. The NHL is full of players who work hard, have tons of talent, but just never seem to reach that next level. If it were that easy, the Pens would never be in that "We need a winger for Sid/Geno" world. They'd have eight Connor Shearys and call it a day.

Take a player like Simon. He honestly has tons of skill and a high hockey IQ, but he's just missing something that separates him from someone like Guentzel. For all intents and purposes, Guentzel didn't really do too much outside of the top six.

Guentzel, being able to keep up with Sid, think at his level, react at his level and produce? That's a specific skill-set.

My guess would be Simmonds.
- j.boyd919

Probably since his numbers decreased because of his injury.

My guess for RW's Metro overrated:

Pens: Letang
Flyers: Ghost
Caps: Carlson
Carolina: Faulk
Isles: Leddy
Jackets: Foligno
Devils: Zajac
Rangers: Hayes

My guess would be Simmonds.
- j.boyd919

No way. He's going to be controversial and say Ghost.

Def. Gonna be Simmonds. He is one of the few 30 goal scores that I have seen with a limited skill set.

Dont get me wrong, he is a smart player, he cleans up those rebounds well, does well with redirection and plays hard every game however he doesnt really possess any real puck handling skills. You will never see him dangle someone or make a pretty play. He wont score goals on the rush often. For some unknown reason he has been used in shootouts before Hakstol was hired and never really understood it. Dont think he has a shootout goal to date.

I like Simmonds but in my mind he will always be a 3rd line player at Even strength. Close to 40%-50% of his points are Powerplay points. Part of the reason for Phillys success last year was the increase of 5 on 5 production and I cant help but think moving Simmonds to the 3rd line helped with that.
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

All the fancy stat people grossly underestimate the need for players like this. It's almost funny anymore.

I wouldn't be surprised to see you guys go well this season. Looking forward to the derby. Adding Hoffman (if the off ice stuff is sorted out), could be a real coup. Plus with all the attention is on other teams there's pretty much no pressure.
- Aussiepenguin

Yes, Hoffman, with his shooting ability, could do very well here, and for the small price to acquire him it's worth the risk. Can't wait to see Barkov or Huberdeau on the PP setting in on a tee for Hoffman's one-timer.
If they pick up where they left off, FL will be tough to beat.
But, so much depends on Luongo's bionic hip