There is like 4 debates going on right now, its fantastic
- Codes1087

It's a kaleidoscope of arguments. Quite thrilling.

Yeah, I don't buy in to the idea that Malkin is a top C in the league. Top point getter sure, but if he doesn't play on a team with those other guys his deficiencies would show a lot more
- NorthNuck

Wouldn't he have some underlying stats that hint at these deficiencies? Because he doesn't, but like if your argument had any merit wouldn't there be some evidence? like maybe he plays really bad when Sid is out (also not at all true, but you'd think so if what your saying had any legs). What I'm getting is you just don't like Malkin much. When his career is over and he is a first ballot HOFer, no one will be talking about because he rode Crosby's coat tails IMO. Same as Messier and Gretz, two very different players that brought what is needed to win.

You used Hirscher as a reference and he had one of the best wingers in the league playing with him.
Expecting EP to do the same with scraps is a fantasy.
I get why people are excited about EP but I do think expectations need to be tempered. He lit up a good league last year but one that is very different than the NHL and he did most his work on the PP.
- belcherbd

You used Hirscher as a reference and he had one of the best wingers in the league playing with him.
Expecting EP to do the same with scraps is a fantasy.
I get why people are excited about EP but I do think expectations need to be tempered. He lit up a good league last year but one that is very different than the NHL and he did most his work on the PP.
- belcherbd

Hater

You used Hirscher as a reference and he had one of the best wingers in the league playing with him.
Expecting EP to do the same with scraps is a fantasy.
I get why people are excited about EP but I do think expectations need to be tempered. He lit up a good league last year but one that is very different than the NHL and he did most his work on the PP.
- belcherbd

40-60 points.

- Marwood

To be fair, I said the same thing about Boeser last year and said we should be thrilled if he got 15 goals.

To be fair, I said the same thing about Boeser last year and said we should be thrilled if he got 15 goals.
- belcherbd

The hardest thing to do is be productive on a team with few weapons. Bo and Boeser being the first line will actually help Ep produce on the second line. PP1 he will be out there with all the other skilled players. I see 40 points as a bottom, he's going to get a lot of opportunity to produce IMO, he might not get as many points otherwise

Not "sucks" but I don't see him as a goalie that wins you a stanley cup. It also goes along with the defence infront of him.

My brother in law actually pointed it out that he hasn't had a SV% over .920 since his first season and that the best ones are usually more consistently above that mark. He's close to it every year but not above it. He would need to be a bit better.
- manvanfan

There's been worse goalies who have won a cup, but to your point, those guys usually had solid defenders in front of them.


You also said the defense sucks so Andersen's .918 sv% is pretty solid considering he played behind a defense that was poop, no?

Malkin won them that first Cup.
- kaptaan

10 years ago =/= now

There's been worse goalies who have won a cup, but to your point, those guys usually had solid defenders in front of them.


You also said the defense sucks so Andersen's .918 sv% is pretty solid considering he played behind a defense that was poop, no?
- Nucker101

When you consider he faced top5 in shots against and look at the quality, there really isn't much debate: Andersson is very legit. They need some defensive upgrades, but they are a legit threat. As much as I hate that it's true.

When was the last time EP played C? And he has never done it on the smaller ice surface. I hope he can have an Hirscher like season but that would also mean having EP play with Boeser.

Possible but a lot to ask a rookie to do.
- belcherbd

Well the one thing he has going for him is that his competition is weak as hell.


Horvat is set as 1LC.

Sutter isn't a good offensive player. Gagner is soft as butter and weak defensively, EP is probably better offensively than him. Beagle is a 4th line checker.

It's a kaleidoscope of arguments. Quite thrilling.
- Marwood

Popcorn and coffee. I know a couple of them are writing this down too

Wouldn't he have some underlying stats that hint at these deficiencies? Because he doesn't, but like if your argument had any merit wouldn't there be some evidence? like maybe he plays really bad when Sid is out (also not at all true, but you'd think so if what your saying had any legs). What I'm getting is you just don't like Malkin much. When his career is over and he is a first ballot HOFer, no one will be talking about because he rode Crosby's coat tails IMO. Same as Messier and Gretz, two very different players that brought what is needed to win.
- neem55

I think deficiencies may have been the wrong word. It's not that I think he's particularly bad at any one thing(apart from faceoffs obviously) but more that I would argue there are 5+ other Cs in the league who do multiple things better than him.

40-60 points.
- neem55

To be fair, I said the same thing about Boeser last year and said we should be thrilled if he got 15 goals.
- belcherbd

It's always good to set the bar low. Better to be pleasantly surprised.

The hardest thing to do is be productive on a team with few weapons. Bo and Boeser being the first line will actually help Ep produce on the second line. PP1 he will be out there with all the other skilled players. I see 40 points as a bottom, he's going to get a lot of opportunity to produce IMO, he might not get as many points otherwise
- neem55

I think the only way he hits 40+ is if he is playing with Boeser.

The suggestions so far have been play wing with Sutter, play wing with Gagner or play C with scraps. I can't see him putting up many points in those scenarios.

I think the only way he hits 40+ is if he is playing with Boeser.

The suggestions so far have been play wing with Sutter, play wing with Gagner or play C with scraps. I can't see him putting up many points in those scenarios.
- belcherbd

Eriksson-Pettersson-Boeser could work.
Eriksson-Pettersson-Virtanen would be interesting as well but obviously would result in less points

Bo and Brock certainly don't need each other to be good, so I wouldn't be surprised if they try splitting them up

I think the only way he hits 40+ is if he is playing with Boeser.

The suggestions so far have been play wing with Sutter, play wing with Gagner or play C with scraps. I can't see him putting up many points in those scenarios.
- belcherbd

We have some of those?

Eriksson-Pettersson-Boeser could work.
Eriksson-Pettersson-Virtanen would be interesting as well but obviously would result in less points

Bo and Brock certainly don't need each other to be good, so I wouldn't be surprised if they try splitting them up
- NorthNuck

It's always good to set the bar low. Better to be pleasantly surprised.
- Marwood

This.
I project EP too be top centre in Utica.😁

- Marwood

I mean we gotta do something with him

40-60 points.
- neem55

Yup.

It's always good to set the bar low. Better to be pleasantly surprised.
- Marwood

Anyone watching the Rogers Cup tennis?

Eriksson-Pettersson-Boeser could work.
Eriksson-Pettersson-Virtanen would be interesting as well but obviously would result in less points

Bo and Brock certainly don't need each other to be good, so I wouldn't be surprised if they try splitting them up
- NorthNuck

I think if they split them up it makes more sense to play Horvat with EP and Boeser with Gagner.