The Search For The Next Big Power Forward

[fantasyhockeygeek]

By the definition laid out in the OP (30+ G, 50+ P, 150+ hits, 100+ PIM) Cory Conacher is the best prospect to hit that.

[Carcillo]

By the definition laid out in the OP (30+ G, 50+ P, 150+ hits, 100+ PIM) Cory Conacher is the best prospect to hit that.

Does Conacher have that hitting part in his game?

[sparrowtrini]

The only guys drafted that have a shot at coming close to that criteria are:

MFoligno(though 30G will not be consistant for sure) & KBeach(Though a major longshot until he gets some discipline in his life)

The problem, and its been touched on a bit already, is that most of the candidates will be role players(bottom 6). they need quality linemates (playmaking center) to get the goals. thus i believe Foligno is the closest most sure thing.

Zach Kassian has a shot to be a top 6 FWD(2nd/3rd line tweener) but definitely dont see him being a big goalscorer.

Ev u need to make a similar thread on "Next Power goalie". lehner would definitely top that list.

[JAGRFONTAINE]

Again look no further the Patrick Maroon

[Big Ev]

Again look no further the Patrick Maroon

He'll probably have high PIM if he ever makes it, but average stats, like 20-30 points.

[metaldude26]

At least one of Tom Wilson, Scott Laughton (small but could fit the bill), Radek Faksa, Henrik Samuelsson and Stefan Matteau, all first rounders from this draft, is going to get there.

Also throwing Teemu Hartikainen out there even though he doesn't take many penalties.

[ovi42]

I'll throw another vote in on Kassian. He's got sweet hands for a big man(under rates I'd say) and given Vancouver's depleting grit(Kessler, burrows and Bieksa being broken so much) I think he'll get his shot in the top 6 over the next couple years. If he can follow a solid development path, he'll do just fine. Maybe not 30+ goals, but I can see 20 goals, 60pts and 100+PIM for sure. He's also a bit of a nutcase from time to time which helps with these cats. I'm a big Kassian fan, hence him being on my squad.

[fantasyhockeygeek]

Does Conacher have that hitting part in his game?

Can't say for sure because the AHL doesn't track hits, but he's definitely a ball of action on the ice. This article certainly implies he's got that element to his game:

One of Thomas’s favourite phrases is to play “with some snot on your sleeve.” If a player is small, then he wants them to be like a Jack Russell terrier. Annoying, but fearless. A pest.

“He challenges me to be like that on the ice,” said Conacher, who was third on the team with 114 penalty minutes this season. “He wants me to go into the corners and not be afraid to take the hit to make the play. That’s what Stumpy did. He made a career of it.”

[sparrowtrini]

I'll throw another vote in on Kassian. He's got sweet hands for a big man(under rates I'd say).

Gotta disagree. may hit 20 but rarely and only if he plays with a good playmaking Center.

Totally expect him to be a bottom 6 Forward.

[Mr. Guru]

Draft eligible Stephen Harper.

If anyone has watch Erie play this year, there is no doubt you've notice Harper as a potential power forward.

[Wotan]

Besides names that have already been mentioned (Coyle, Tangradi, Beach, Kassian, Bjugstad) I also have NIEDERREITER on my radar.
Yes, I know about his last season, but I think he finally will emerge as one of the more physical wingers. He'll not rack up the PIMS in Lucic-style, but he'll get at least as many as Bjugstad who got mentioned earlier. The hits are already there and the scoring seems to be coming along as well - at least at the AHL level for now....

[Axeman33]

I'm going to throw another name out there that just came to me (surprised I havent thought of him yet):


Matt Fraser - Dallas

He had a great rookie year in the AHL. Scored a ton of goals and has a lot of sandpaper in his game.

[Big Ev]

Gotta disagree. may hit 20 but rarely and only if he plays with a good playmaking Center.

Totally expect him to be a bottom 6 Forward.

Not sure how he and Foligno are any different. You honestly think he will score 30 goals one day?

[DuklaNation]

With the basic criteria of 30, 50, 150, 100, only 3 players achieved that last season (Lucic, Hartnell, Clarkson). obviously you dont need to break those thresholds exactly but you get the point.

[jsuites]

With the basic criteria of 30, 50, 150, 100, only 3 players achieved that last season (Lucic, Hartnell, Clarkson). obviously you dont need to break those thresholds exactly but you get the point.

Clarkson only hit 46 points. Close enough though.