Jiri Tlusty
 

I just read that Tlusty might be the first choice to play on a line with E. Staal and Semin, so i am wondering what this will do for his fantasy value.

What kind of numbers do you project him to put up on that line if he stays there for the rest of the season?

I just picked him up from the FA thinking that it is definately worth a shot.

Let me know what you guys think about him

thx

Hello Jiri Tlusty, goodbye Tom Gilbert

I have been watching this situation long enough! I debated grabbing him last year, but had to grab him after reading the same news. I would say he is a lock to play with Staal and Semin and think he could put up great numbers this year. It is hard to say, but for every point Staal or Semin get, he should pick up one too, so he may not be far off PPG

Can't see him getting any top unit PP time, but he did play top unit with Staal at the end of the year.

Sleeper of the year IMO

If he plays on the Eric Staal line for the rest of the season, I'd expect about 20 pts from him. Under ideal conditions he might put up 40-45 pts in a full season. He's basically a plug that can play with Staal if CAR doesn't have a real player to fill that spot. My guess would be that he's a bottom 6 guy this season.

Think that may be underselling him a bit. You think his upside is only besting last year by 4-9 points?

Some guys mature at different rates and under different circumstances. He was a first round pick and was supposed to be a stud in Toronto, but it just never panned out. He always had a great offensive game, but I thought he was going the Patty O'Sullivan route.

Flash fwd to today and he is with a coach that he really clicks with, has shown great chemistry with Staal (pretty sure they will go with whatever is most familiar in this compressed season, which combined with Ruutu's injury virtually locks him in that top line spot), and has been playing very well in Europe, so he'll come to camp ahead of the curve.

All in all, things are looking as good as they possibly can for Tlusty. No reason to think he won't thrive.

May be a little overly optimistic, as I am with every guy I snag off the wire, but I think he emerges this year.

I see in today's ramblings, Angus has the top line in Carolina looking a little something like this:

Tlusty - Staal - Semin

Whoot!!

i think staal and tlutsy are the only guarantee in carolina's line-up this season.
semin seems like a good fit on the right side.... but

ruutu's injury sure messed things up.

jordan wanted out of pittsburgh so that he could play more offensive minutes than he was getting. but the curent situation in carolina leaves the team with a bottom six that is not capable of successfully playing against other teams top line. i think j. staal will need to eat these tough minutes again and I can't see skinner playnig tough minutes yet. he is a horrible defensive player and semin might be a better fit in those tougher minutes.... joikinen may be on the second line or he may need to center the third line. lots of question marks here - this team needs some rookies to come in and win some jobs.

then again, they could adopt the TB model and load up their talent on the top two lines and give them all of the easy minutes and give a bunch of overmatched scrubs the tough assignments and hope they don't get hammered every night. time will tell with this one.

Yeah, I was just spitballing.


So many combos. I see it something like this while Ruutu is out:

xxxx-Staal-Skinner/Semin
xxxx-J. Staal-Skinner/Semin

Those xxxx could be any of Tlusty, Bowman, Boychuk, Jokinen, etc. Does Jokinen stick at center and do the Hurricanes go three lines deep?

What?!?! You promised!! LOL

For sure lots up in the air, but considering all factors, I think it's Tlusty's too lose. Just makes the most sense, and he will come in flying, given his time overseas. REALLY starting to see the benefit of playing in Europe now.