Quoting: d4rk1ll4
I like your point of view. The step between 3rd center and 2nd center is a big one. But one thing I wonder is the partners of KK, our future 1st center. I like Lehkonen and Armia and the Finn-line-thing, but IMO, Lehkonen won't be a 1st line, and Armia won't be any top 6. Then, it could be a good idea to put KK with longterm wingers,
agreed
Ylonen is a year away from being NHL ready he was saying this summer
he thinks he's close but would rather develop to the point he know's he can vs he thinks he can . (smart lad)
i think another big factor for KK will which Veteran he attaches himself to on LW
last year it was Paul Byron who started with KK-Armia until his injury which allowed Lehkonen into play.
come feburary the line was back together because Lehkonen had struggled to provide a continued spark
i'm hoping this year he latches on to Drouin instead as long term that would be the most ideal situation
long term on RW and Center we kinda know what it will be
Poehling-Caufield have established history of success
KK -Ylonen the same thing but to a lesser extent as KK turned Pro so early
Suzuki long term i'm sure will carve out a top 6 wing spot i just dont know which side he'll play
our LW situation is a lot more Dire as we're dependent on Domi and Drouin long term with no stand out LW prospects who will be NHL top 6 ready in the next 3 years .
not that Domi/Drouin being here is bad at all ,its not but at the same time every other position has lots of depth options where as MTL would have to take a reliable Center in Ikonen or Olofsson and force them to wing which i dont like as i would prefer a natural goal scorer like ANA Comtois who we should trade for
there's just so much youth in our system but not enough quality on LW
although Teasdale is a stud he's better on RW as he's a mobile skater and he's our best LW prospect .
the only other LW even close is Pitlick who is crazy fast
Fonstad , Harvey-Pinard , Gorniak and Vedejmo are all long shots who will need 3 AHL seasons minimum to reach consistency and an NHL promotion
but they are likely to develop later as Aggistino ,Barberio and Vatrano have .