Roto Exclusive : Guest Contributions and Featured Articles
Roto Exclusive : Guest Contributions and Featured Articles
Roto Exclusive : Guest Contributions and Featured Articles
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Nino Niederreiter<br />
Niederreiter had an atrocious year, posting only one measly<br />
point <strong>and</strong> a minus-29 rating in 55 games. Isl<strong>and</strong>ers’ coach Jack<br />
Capuano has still had positive things to say about him, but the<br />
fact of the matter is that Niederreiter is not ready to skate at<br />
the NHL level. Last year the Isl<strong>and</strong>ers chose to keep him<br />
around to gain NHL exposure despite the poor performance,<br />
but if there were to be a lockout, Nino would have the luxury<br />
of regrouping at the level he should. Additionally, the<br />
frustrating year will just add motivation.<br />
Derek Stepan<br />
Stepan has progressing well, but to get to that next level, he needs to find his offensive touch once<br />
again. During the last lockout, Jason Spezza <strong>and</strong> Eric Staal dominated the AHL, which led to a very<br />
successful NHL campaign once the lockout was resolved. Stepan might have a lower ceiling, but some<br />
added confidence could do marvels for his development.<br />
Ryan Johansen<br />
Johansen has a ton of potential, but he was most concerned with just keeping his head above water in<br />
his rookie year, where he posted a respectable 21 points <strong>and</strong> minus-two rating for the team who<br />
finished statistically worst in the st<strong>and</strong>ings. One thing you never want to do is instill an acceptance of a<br />
losing attitude, which is why it probably wouldn’t hurt for Johansen to get some time in for another club<br />
before re-joining the Blue Jackets.<br />
Chris Pronger<br />
It is possible that Pronger’s career is over, but it is also possible that a full<br />
year of rest (which he likely needs even if there isn’t a lockout) he would<br />
be able to return to NHL action after all. It might be a longshot, but the<br />
combination of rest <strong>and</strong> lack of media spotlight may just do wonders for<br />
Pronger’s career.<br />
Marcus Johansson<br />
Johansson is another player who would benefit largely from a lockout, specifically because he already<br />
has NHL experience <strong>and</strong> knows the level of effort <strong>and</strong> talent required to be a successful NHL player. He is<br />
also in that developmental stage where it is one thing to know what needs to be done, but it’s another<br />
thing to actually carry it out <strong>and</strong> be a consistent performer. Getting some confidence back in the AHL or<br />
even a European league should translate to a more confident <strong>and</strong> consistent Johansson once the NHL<br />
resumes play.<br />
~ Tim Lucarelli<br />
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