In Ottawa's case, it's kind of in the air. If you assume that none of our UFAs will be re-signed, and accept that Phillips won't be moved and will get ice-time, then the biggest need is one or two good wingers. After that, considering the budget, it's prospects at right-wing and defense.
I would agree with Josh, but I would say LW instead of RW. We've got Stone and Ryan on the RW for the foreseeable future, and I it is still hard to guess whether Lazar projects to a RW or C at the NHL level, but I'm leaning RW at the moment. At C we've got Turris and Zibanjed.
I know there's still a lot of doubt as to whether he could be a number one center in the NHL, but remember, he was a project when we drafted him, and his development was hindered by whatever injury it was that kept him out of his last WJC. He's still at an early stage in his develoment. At 19 the most games he'd played in a season was maybe 50 or 60. Most top prospects out of the CHL play 80-90 or more a year, between league, playoffs, international tournaments and maybe AHL or NHL stints. He's still very early in his develoment curve, and I think that curve us steep. He put up pretty decent numbers this year in limited playing time. And just watch him attack defenders one on one. Shades of Jamie Benn.
Sorry, digression. Point being, the biggest weakness in the organization, both for players and prospects, is on the LW. Hoffman, Prince and Schneider have potential, but are big question marks. And on the roster currently we have one top six left winger.
I would agree with Josh, but I would say LW instead of RW. We've got Stone and Ryan on the RW for the foreseeable future, and I it is still hard to guess whether Lazar projects to a RW or C at the NHL level, but I'm leaning RW at the moment. At C we've got Turris and Zibanjed.
I know there's still a lot of doubt as to whether he could be a number one center in the NHL, but remember, he was a project when we drafted him, and his development was hindered by whatever injury it was that kept him out of his last WJC. He's still at an early stage in his develoment. At 19 the most games he'd played in a season was maybe 50 or 60. Most top prospects out of the CHL play 80-90 or more a year, between league, playoffs, international tournaments and maybe AHL or NHL stints. He's still very early in his develoment curve, and I think that curve us steep. He put up pretty decent numbers this year in limited playing time. And just watch him attack defenders one on one. Shades of Jamie Benn.
Sorry, digression. Point being, the biggest weakness in the organization, both for players and prospects, is on the LW. Hoffman, Prince and Schneider have potential, but are big question marks. And on the roster currently we have one top six left winger.
I'm really excited to see what Zibanejad could amount to. I think he's one of the most unique young players in the league. He has the size to battle for pucks and play a gritty/physical game. He has a great shot, especially his one-timer. He's got speed and good defensive awareness. He's got good hand-eye. He has great hands. He's going to be a great player.
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