we miss leo k
Joined: Feb. 2018
Posts: 5,961
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I get you're trying to get engagement, but there are a TON of stretches on this list.
Podkolzin & Dylan Cozens both were everyday players who put up solid numbers for middle-6 guys this year, so I'm sure both teams are happy with that. Lassi Thomson put up 11-28-39 in 79 AHL GP since coming over from Europe in the middle of last season, and even looked okay with 5 points in 16 NHL games as a 21 year old. Ville Heinola probably feels old because he made his debut pre-COVID, but he's just 21 and still has time to grow. Cal Foote played 52 games for the defending Cup champs last season, so I think he's developing in a more sheltered role but has to be considered someone progressing well. Nils Lundkvist made his NHL debut in his first NA season and held his own at both levels. Quinton Byfield had some injury issues but literally *just* turned 20 so he's got a ton of runway.
Then you've got guys that are less "busts" and more "need to show something big this year" like the Rangers quartet, Ollie Wahlstrom, Nicolas Beaudin, Kirby Dach, Kupari, and Spencer Knight. The only guys I feel comfortable are saying look like busts are Juolevi (5OA in 2016), Nolan Patrick (2OA in 2017 but it's more injuries than ineffectiveness), and Howden (27OA in 2016 so it's not like the ceiling was -that- high)