Quote:
Originally Posted by jasonfilatov
As a Ranger fan I can tell you that Derek Stepan was our best forward last season. Best offensive forward above Nash and best defensive forward above Callahan. There is no chance in hell he doesn't make the team. The only aspect of his game that isn't superb is his speed and that has improved year by year. I expect him to be a top 6 forward. I am more concerned about Callahan's spot on the roster than Stepan's, even though Cally might end up wearing the "C".
Parise - Stepan - Kane
Ryan - Pavelski - Kessel
Pacioretty - Backes - Brown
van Riemsdyk - Kesler - Callahan
Galchenyuk
Suter - Shattenkirk
McDonagh - Carlson
J. Johnson - Yandle
Martin
Quick
Miller
Howard
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Stepan as the top line center is a stretch to say the least. Yes, he had a good year last year, but your homer is showing. I had him as my alternate, but you're right, there's a very good chance he's on the squad itself. Everyone is ignoring Pavelski as well. He could very well make the roster.
Matty and I love defensive guys, so our list is a little different, but Stepan could be a key player in this thing. I hope he is. Top line center is a stretch though.
Quote:
Originally Posted by bonzo48280
Blues winning the division over the Hawks this year? Hawks are potentially better, Blues got worse.
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There's no way the Hawks don't face a Cup hangover a little bit though. That's why I did that. Tarasenko is back and healthy, the Blues can still be scary good. Grabovski and Brunner are still being linked to St. Louis too. Alex Pietrangelo will be resigned, and they'll keep that stellar blue line looking real good.
Plus, there's the Olympics, and while it's cool to know, it sucks for the Hawks to be sending 12-13 guys to the Olympics. That's a heavy load on an already Cup hungover squad. It's a shorter offseason than normal + Olympics with a huge amount of their roster playing (not resting) = less points than their talent dictates they should have. It will be an interesting season in Chicago for sure, but I would be ready for them to underachieve what their talent says they should do.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ~Crashintome89~
You are dumb. You are really dumb. So dumb. so dumb.
He's climb in' up yo windows...
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Sorry. That's just like...my opinion.
Quote:
Originally Posted by bonzo48280
my goodness will I have the largest boner ever if Sharpie gets on the Olympic team. After the finals this year, I would now say Sharp is the most underrated player in the league because I don't think it's Bergeron anymore, meaning Bergeron is getting due credit.
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He certainly deserves it. I've been on the "Sharp is the most underrated NHL player" train for a long time. He's a natural sniper that's versatile, can play center or LW (although is more effective at LW), can win faceoffs, and is incredibly underrated defensively. Having a sniper that is never a liability defensively and can kill penalties is rare. Dude gets overshadowed by 19/88, but put him on a team like the Maple Leafs, and he's a superstar.