Michael Stuart: Is it time to start worrying about Colin White?

Pierre convinced me that he and everybody in the New England area are basically Bergeron. So clam down!

Pierre convinced me that he and everybody in the New England area are basically Bergeron. So clam down!
- AdamFrench

Jim Benning convinced half of Vancouver that Brandon Sutter is basically Bergeron, so it could be worse.

Jim Benning convinced half of Vancouver that Brandon Sutter is basically Bergeron, so it could be worse.
- Michael_Stuart

I'm not a huge fan of Shawn Simpson, but his constant digging at McGuire on the radio about how adamant he was regarding White = Bergeron has been a fun segment.

White's not playing any worse than JGP did for the first six years of his career. Kid's only 22, I wouldn't get too up in arms since the Sens need dollars on the team to hit the floor. Fine with him taking his time - we'll see if that holds two years from now if he doesn't improve.

White's not playing any worse than JGP did for the first six years of his career. Kid's only 22, I wouldn't get too up in arms since the Sens need dollars on the team to hit the floor. Fine with him taking his time - we'll see if that holds two years from now if he doesn't improve.
- Bartacus

Exactly. He's been fine.

How do you feel about the chances new ownership will be in place, that can afford to spend more? Sooner, rather than later?

How do you feel about the chances new ownership will be in place, that can afford to spend more? Sooner, rather than later?
- kaptaan

I don't have any information to suggest that a change is coming, so until then I just assume that the status quo will be ongoing.

I was surprised by the White signing when it came out. It seemed premature. I am not surprised by the slow start. Am I “worried” about White? Not to that extreme.

When compared to current roster players, I am slightly concerned I will be worried when I watch his play offensively. There isn’t much obvious natural skill like a Duclair and there isn’t much hard-nose-do-anything-you-have-to-do-to-get-a-goal style of play like Tkachuk. I am seeing a lot of Lazar similarities. To me that is concerning. Not fair to worry just yet, but I when I watch him play, I am not thinking “his luck will go his way soon” because I simply don’t see him getting robbed of high-quality chances.

I believe the current plan is to find an elite centre at some point in the draft and White/Brown will be the teams 2nd and 3rd line centres once Pag is traded. Both White and Brown (Brown has shown flair at times) have struggled so it will be interesting to see how they respond.

I was surprised by the White signing when it came out. It seemed premature. I am not surprised by the slow start. Am I “worried” about White? Not to that extreme.

When compared to current roster players, I am slightly concerned I will be worried when I watch his play offensively. There isn’t much obvious natural skill like a Duclair and there isn’t much hard-nose-do-anything-you-have-to-do-to-get-a-goal style of play like Tkachuk. I am seeing a lot of Lazar similarities. To me that is concerning. Not fair to worry just yet, but I when I watch him play, I am not thinking “his luck will go his way soon” because I simply don’t see him getting robbed of high-quality chances.

I believe the current plan is to find an elite centre at some point in the draft and White/Brown will be the teams 2nd and 3rd line centres once Pag is traded. Both White and Brown (Brown has shown flair at times) have struggled so it will be interesting to see how they respond.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

I don't even think that it has to be him being robbed, because I do agree with you - if the guys on the ice around him are potting goals, he'll start adding a secondary assist here or there.

How do you feel about the chances new ownership will be in place, that can afford to spend more? Sooner, rather than later?
- kaptaan

I think it depends what you quantify as sooner rather than later........I think a sale within the next 3-5 years is inevitable. Melnyk has no other significant sources of income, and this team loses millions of dollars per year. the overall value of the team will probably take a hit once the lebreton deal is 100% dead.......his net worth is shrinking every day, and his debt grows pretty much at the same pace.

I think the key is will he be forced to sell before or after this team is ready to compete and start paying out some big contracts.

AA and the capitals 2nd for White.

Perhaps a few games in Belleville to wake him up

Worried? Kinda.
Hitting the panic button? Absolutely not.

I've never been sold on his offensive abilities. I always felt he'd turn into another Pageau. A 3rd line center who is capable of elevating his game offensively if put in the perfect circumstances. Point is - I'll never EXPECT White to be a consistent 20 goal, 50 point player.

Hopefully I'm just being harsh. But you'll have to excuse me given Ottawa's record with mid-late first round two-way centers. Not ONE has ever panned out in regards to developing into a legit top 6 player. Maybe Turris.

Turris was picked #3 by Arizona in 2007.

Ottawa picked Jim O'Brien 29th in 2007. Maybe he is a better example.

Turris was picked #3 by Arizona in 2007.
- Storman

Well aware of this. But we developed him. And yeah, an early first, but my point still stands.

Ottawa picked Jim O'Brien 29th in 2007. Maybe he is a better example.
- Storman

How is Jim O'Brien a better example of a two-way center drafted in the first who developed into a legit top-6 forward?

Yeah, I caught that too....after I posted. Oops!

Mind you, O'Brien does illustrate your first point which I totally agree with.

It's maybe time to start worrying about the backlog of players that's starting to develop on the team. White was signed under the assumption that he'd be playing a top-6 role, but they now have Pageau playing over 18min/gp, and Tierney still playing in more critical game situations. Brown is getting some of the remaining offensive role time, Anisimov plays over 14min/gp, and White seems to be kind of just caught in the mix. Factor in having no fixed linemates, and a S% that's down to under 6%, and that's a recipe for a slow start. But at the end of the day he has a versatile skill set, a good attitude, and a solid work ethic.

So no, I'm not really worried about White... but they will start doing harm to their young core players if they don't keep moving out some of the congestion in the system and create opportunities for them to get meaningful playing time. In terms of names, that means all of Namestnikov, Ennis, Boedker, and at least one of Pageau or Tierney by the end of year.

Mind you, O'Brien does illustrate your first point which I totally agree with.
- Storman

Haha. Totally, man.

It's maybe time to start worrying about the backlog of players that's starting to develop on the team. White was signed under the assumption that he'd be playing a top-6 role, but they now have Pageau playing over 18min/gp, and Tierney still playing in more critical game situations. Brown is getting some of the remaining offensive role time, Anisimov plays over 14min/gp, and White seems to be kind of just caught in the mix. Factor in having no fixed linemates, and a S% that's down to under 6%, and that's a recipe for a slow start. But at the end of the day he has a versatile skill set, a good attitude, and a solid work ethic.

So no, I'm not really worried about White... but they will start doing harm to their young core players if they don't keep moving out some of the congestion in the system and create opportunities for them to get meaningful playing time. In terms of names, that means all of Namestnikov, Ennis, Boedker, and at least one of Pageau or Tierney by the end of year.
- khawk

Very valid points. Plus he's been battling the dreaded injury bug this year.

It's maybe time to start worrying about the backlog of players that's starting to develop on the team. White was signed under the assumption that he'd be playing a top-6 role, but they now have Pageau playing over 18min/gp, and Tierney still playing in more critical game situations. Brown is getting some of the remaining offensive role time, Anisimov plays over 14min/gp, and White seems to be kind of just caught in the mix. Factor in having no fixed linemates, and a S% that's down to under 6%, and that's a recipe for a slow start. But at the end of the day he has a versatile skill set, a good attitude, and a solid work ethic.

So no, I'm not really worried about White... but they will start doing harm to their young core players if they don't keep moving out some of the congestion in the system and create opportunities for them to get meaningful playing time. In terms of names, that means all of Namestnikov, Ennis, Boedker, and at least one of Pageau or Tierney by the end of year.
- khawk

This is a great point.

This is a great point.
- Michael_Stuart

Can we get my man Khawk a ribbon or something?