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Official Armchair GM Thread 2015-2016

I hope Kadri improves his faceoff percentage. Not because I necessarily think that it would make a world of difference, I'm just sick of hearing people complain about it.
 
CarltonTheBear said:
I'm not sure I'd worry too much about Kadri's offensive stats last season. At even-strength he produced at virtually the same rate as 13/14 where he put up 50 points. It was just his powerplay scoring that went into the toilet, but for whatever reason the entire 2nd unit just couldn't get anything done last season. I'm sure he won't repeat his 6-PP-point season again.
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*cough-Clarkson-cough*
 
herman said:
CarltonTheBear said:
I'm not sure I'd worry too much about Kadri's offensive stats last season. At even-strength he produced at virtually the same rate as 13/14 where he put up 50 points. It was just his powerplay scoring that went into the toilet, but for whatever reason the entire 2nd unit just couldn't get anything done last season. I'm sure he won't repeat his 6-PP-point season again.
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*cough-Clarkson-cough*
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aaaaaaAAAAAAACHOOOCLARKSONSUCKEDHARDERTHANTHEVACUUMOFSPACEOOOOOOooo
 
CarltonTheBear said:
I'm not sure I'd worry too much about Kadri's offensive stats last season. At even-strength he produced at virtually the same rate as 13/14 where he put up 50 points. It was just his powerplay scoring that went into the toilet, but for whatever reason the entire 2nd unit just couldn't get anything done last season. I'm sure he won't repeat his 6-PP-point season again.
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I'm not worried too much but to be honest I thought the 50 point season was a little disappointing too. So I'd still like to see him re-establish himself as an offensive player before I started getting overly concerned about his two-way play.
 
Nik the Trik said:
CarltonTheBear said:
I'm not sure I'd worry too much about Kadri's offensive stats last season. At even-strength he produced at virtually the same rate as 13/14 where he put up 50 points. It was just his powerplay scoring that went into the toilet, but for whatever reason the entire 2nd unit just couldn't get anything done last season. I'm sure he won't repeat his 6-PP-point season again.
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I'm not worried too much but to be honest I thought the 50 point season was a little disappointing too. So I'd still like to see him re-establish himself as an offensive player before I started getting overly concerned about his two-way play.
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Well that put him in 81st (or a tie for 79th, not sure how to read that on NHL.com) among NHL forwards in points that season.  I wouldn't consider that disappointing since he was still 2nd C most of the season.
 
Potvin29 said:
Well that put him in 81st (or a tie for 79th, not sure how to read that on NHL.com) among NHL forwards in points that season.  I wouldn't consider that disappointing since he was still 2nd C most of the season.
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It was disappointing in the context of ultimately hoping that Kadri would turn into an elite forward. He dropped from being 4th in the entire league in points per 60 at even strength to 128th.
 
Nik the Trik said:
Potvin29 said:
Well that put him in 81st (or a tie for 79th, not sure how to read that on NHL.com) among NHL forwards in points that season.  I wouldn't consider that disappointing since he was still 2nd C most of the season.
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It was disappointing in the context of ultimately hoping that Kadri would turn into an elite forward. He dropped from being 4th in the entire league in points per 60 at even strength to 128th.
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Well we knew as early as April of that season not to expect Kadri to repeat those types of numbers (I know I brought it up at least twice during his 13-14 season).  Mirtle wrote about it in April of 2013: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/leafs-beat/leafs-nazem-kadri-one-lucky-man/article11176186/?page=all.

So if it was disappointing it only really should have been to those unwilling to accept that his production in the shortened season was unsustainable, which would account for his points per 60 being 4th in the entire league.  A guy not getting consistently 1st line minutes/opportunities was unlikely to repeat those kinds of numbers over 70+ games.
 
Potvin29 said:
So if it was disappointing it only really should have been to those unwilling to accept that his production in the shortened season was unsustainable, which would account for his points per 60 being 4th in the entire league.  A guy not getting consistently 1st line minutes/opportunities was unlikely to repeat those kinds of numbers over 70+ games.
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But there are drop-offs and then there are drop-offs. 4th in the league was probably unsustainable but I don't think that necessarily meant a drop to where he's been the last two years.

This isn't to say Kadri got bad or is a bad player. Just that I'd like to see him get time to re-establish himself as a really good offensive player before worrying about his defensive game too much.

Moving up to the 1st line(which fingers crossed is still what happens) isn't going to be just increased ice-time and better linemates. It's also going to bring tougher competition and more responsibility. In light of the various extraneous issues with Kadri I'm just concerned with putting too much on his plate and not just letting him get back on the track that sees his production increase rather than level off.
 
I think we have to remember that most or these guys are still kidz, a certain amount of immaturity (hell my son is 22 and acts 14).  They say the brains are not fully formed until 22-24.  Some grow up a little bit later. So why don't we give them a little more slack and say by the time they are 27 is what we can judge them on.
 
Bullfrog said:
While he obviously has to work on his defensive game within the team concept, I agree he needs to be let loose on offense with heavy power play time.
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I want to see both from Nazem and I think he can do it.
 
LuncheonMeat said:
Wow, that's one of the worst teams I've seen in a long time.  Well done!!  :D  Is this an Auston Matthews capable roster?  Perhaps.
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The trouble with talk like this is that what you are hoping for is at best like a 20 percent shot or whatever the new lottery is. After all we were only one likely ball away from McDavid until the Iron Mistress of Probability took out her sword of doom and slashed our hopes and dreams to ribbons.
 
http://www.tsn.ca/ducks-sign-stewart-to-one-year-1-7m-contract-1.330289

Well there goes every roster I was trying to assemble for this year.  See ya next summer.

:(
 
Zanzibar Buck-Buck McFate said:
The trouble with talk like this is that what you are hoping for is at best like a 20 percent shot or whatever the new lottery is.
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Maybe. Although on the latest Marek vs. Wyshinski podcast both guys expressed feelings that not only was Matthews a player worth maximizing your odds at(Jeff Marek put it out there that he very well might have gone ahead of Eichel in this year's draft) but also that while next year's draft lacked a McDavid like talent in general the top 5 might be stronger than this year's.
 
I'm a little bummed out for the completely irrational reason that if the Leafs are going to lose a ton next year I wouldn't mind seeing the occasional face-punching but, well, best of luck Zach!
 
Nik the Trik said:
I'm a little bummed out for the completely irrational reason that if the Leafs are going to lose a ton next year I wouldn't mind seeing the occasional face-punching but, well, best of luck Zach!
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I am interested in how the Leafs are going to respond to any crap that comes their way.  Avoiding hits like Kessel and Raymond would do I hope is a thing of the past.  Seeing opposing players skate past Colton Orr was tough for me as an Orr fan.  Too bad for the Leafs that there isn't an alternative to sticking up for team mates but being void of hockey skill.

Being able to throw a hit and take a hit like Winnipeg Jets is the team toughness I hope the Leafs will have some day.

I have liked Zach's game since he was playing for the Wildcats here in Moncton.
 
Britishbulldog said:
I am interested in how the Leafs are going to respond to any crap that comes their way.  Avoiding hits like Kessel and Raymond would do I hope is a thing of the past.  Seeing opposing players skate past Colton Orr was tough for me as an Orr fan.  Too bad for the Leafs that there isn't an alternative to sticking up for team mates but being void of hockey skill.

Being able to throw a hit and take a hit like Winnipeg Jets is the team toughness I hope the Leafs will have some day.

I have liked Zach's game since he was playing for the Wildcats here in Moncton.
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Teams are always going to have, and win with, players who aren't particularly physical. The Blackhawks had the second fewest fighting majors in the NHL last year. The team with the fewest was the Red Wings. I don't think either team is a team people would say you could walk over.

Toughness is valuable in the sense of being able to take hits but throwing knuckles around doesn't really seem to really mean much in that regard. Like I said, I'd just be watching it for the entertainment value.
 
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