J-P

DId a search on "years away" within this topic just for the fun of it. Lots of posts like "3-5 years away from the NHL", "need time in Utica", "years away from being a center in the NHL", "will not be a 1st line center" etc. Hindsight is everything but nevertheless I think he's looked pretty ok at C this year ;-) Even spotting a 44% face-off percentage which is quite ok for a rookie.

Yeah I can agree from the eye test as well that he's been fine for the most part. If he just starts putting the puck in the net once in a while on some of the EP feeds nobody will complain.

Ha ha all my kids are millennials I agree about earning a call-up. You win with the old Detroit model where call-ups were almost always ready (and more than that in many cases). From what I’ve read it seems like JD’s trending in the right direction the last few games so let’s hope that continues.

Exactly, That's why they should spend most of their time in Utica and not in the press box or as fringe players with the Canucks.

Dahlen's father was a #7 pick back in -85. He himself never played in the minors but he had a long career in the NHL, was always a hard worker and never struck me as entitled in any way. Jonathan really doesn't give that impression either from what I've seen on the ice and in interviews etc. previous seasons. I haven't watched JD play in Utica, but if he doesn't get what it's all about that would surprise me. Gotta remember though that like a lot of the other players in Utica he's still a kid and probably quite sensitive to the atmosphere within and around the team. LIke I said I haven't watched Utica, but it appears as if there's a leadership void, and if so, I don't get that. Benning and crew seem so focused on leadership, playing the right way etc. so how could it not be just as important on the farm?

Loui is 3rd on the team in scoring and despite the 5 game losing streak and poor production (along with everybody else on the team really) during that span he's still on pace for 45 points which is low level 1st line production and high level 2nd line production nowadays.

Going out of your way to hit a rookie in the last 3 mins of a tied game way after the puck's moved on is inexcusable for a veteran D. Show's poor judgement, low intelligence, low compete level (focusing on the wrong things and not about winning)... Thought Del Zotto had a decent game otherwise but I just lost it when he made that hit.

You mean since Edler's also at least half a goalie? And yeah, it reallys shows now that he's missing on D...

Nah, not so far. EP of course could do both offense and defense from the start, Bo and Boeser got it pretty quickly, but most rookies don't. As I said I agree that Green doesn't tolerate cheating on D, and that makes it that much more difficult to be in a position to score for a new player. In Gaudette's case I'm not sure what his offensive ceiling is, time will tell, but I also agree that a stint in Utica soon - scoring in a 1st line role - would probably be good for him.

There are young players that can do both offense and defense of course... But not saying you're wrong in general, I agree, and I think it's one of the reasons why Goldy hasn't produced as hoped while instead being a much more competitive and effective defensive player this year.

Yeah, you worry about his shoulder, but Jake seems to be doing fine now and he had a couple of shoulder surgeries if I remember correctly...

Kole probably needs 1-3 years in the minors to become a real pro. After that we'll likely know if he's big league material or not. Could be that's it's determined faster than that, or he might be a late bloomer and require even longer in the minors (each prospect has their own development path of course). There's not much more to it than that, he's not a can't miss prospect but shows promise so we'll just have to wait and see.

Still believe OJ will be a minute eating 2-3 D in a year or two. Exactly the type of player needed on a winning team behind a #1D which will hopefully be QH.

Think people are forgetting how much better Goldy is playing compared to last season. Especially defensively and with a much improved compete level, but he's taken strides offensively as well. I say let the kid play and later on in the season we'll know if he has a future here or not.

Hughes and Joulevi are definitely awesome prospects but will be rookies next year and as a whole the top 6D above is very average. Hutton, Stecher and Guddy are #5-6D on a good team at best, Tanev a #3-4.

No question Virt's been real gud And will still be better!

Hutton looked pretty bad a few times against Buffalo, and still has problems with positioning when forwards come at him with speed. He's obviously been much better than last season but I wouldn't count on him being on the roster next season. But let's see how the season unfolds...

I think Tanev's been very good this season at transporting the puck away from danger and avoiding hits, feels like he's really worked at improving that part of his game. But I also question how he will fare in the playoffs and I would definitely move him for an ok offer, but I doubt Benning sees it that way.

His eyes seeing only net...

Ha ha that IS funny.

Lind and Boucher are listed as week to week, haven't seen what happened to Lind.

Yeah Stecher’s been good. DP hasn’t been awful overall defensively actually, but I cringe every time he has the puck. Also getting very sheltered minutes which helps stats.

Made a rough giveaway in the 3rd but played a solid game otherwise, especially on d with many really good backchecks. As long as Jake is still improving everything’s going to be real good...

Nice to see BB really get going! His best game of the season by far, seems like he's beginning to stop thinking and just acting on instinct.

I'm sorry, I know DP was +3, had the game winner and played 25 mins last night, but he just isn't an NHL player in my eyes. Misses assignments, regularly coughs up the puck, his passes are almost never on the tape, he completely disrupt any flow on the PP etc. etc. He's just not fast enough in his processing and thus his passes and decisions are always just that tiny bit late. Guess coach Green sees it differently, though?