CAGE MATCH TOURNAMENT #1 - Early Peakers - VOTE HERE

[RizzeeDizzee]

Yes - you read the title correctly; it's summer cage match tournament time!

Since I just did a three part series on when players supposedly peak, I figured why not incorporate that concept into summer cage match tournaments? So this week I assembled a list of 17 skaters whom I believe are at risk for having already produced their best single season point total despite the fact that as of October 4, 2017 (which is the first day of the 2017-18 campaign) they?ll each still be younger than the supposed ?peak? age for their position according to my recent columns (i.e., 28.24 for defensemen, 27.73 for forwards). So that means to be eligible for the tournament, a defenseman must have been born no earlier than June 7, 1989 and a forward on or after January 13, 1990

Who should get your vote(s)? Whichever of the 17 players you think will never again - not in 2017-18 or ANY future season - score more than his current single season best point total, which is denoted in parentheses next to his name.

Can you vote for more than one player? Yes! In fact you can (and should) vote for as many players as you think have already posted their career best single season point total. In other words, don't just vote for the one player you think is least likely to ever top his current single season best point total -- vote for ALL players you think won't do so. That way the results will be more informative.

I'll come back on Wednesday to paste the link to the associated column, which will include a lot more key information about the players and why I think they belong on the list, plus several disqualifying factors (e.g., no one whose career high is 90+ being included, as well as no one who set a career high last season). But go ahead and vote now if you prefer - just be sure to vote with your head, not your heart, so that way the results can best benefit your fellow Dobberites in evaluating these players.

Next week will be the second tournament, where we'll do a 180 and look at forwards who might not have peaked despite the fact that they were born earlier than January 13, 1990.

[Princeton]

I voted Landeskog. Also think Palat might have peaked.

[RizzeeDizzee]

I voted Landeskog. Also think Palat might have peaked.

Thanks for the interest and vote. Remember though - you can (and should!) vote for all players on the list who you think already peaked. You're not limited to just one vote.

And it's amazing that after only 5 votes a full 13 of the 17 players have at least one vote. Hopefully that means I chose the list well.

[lucafen4]

Tyler Johnson & Matt Duchene were my picks. I have a hard time believing either will see 70 again. Duchene's 70pt season was a couple years ago. perhaps he sees 65+ again, but that won't be his norm - only way I see myself as wrong is if he ends up in a perfect setting for him and a perfect storm gathers.

TJ. his season seemed an outlier from the beginning. 55-60pt guy

[Irriducibile11]

I voted for 6 guys. (Ranked by likelihood) Johnson, Hall, Tavares, Landeskog, Duchene, Panarin.

Six may seem like a lot, but in today's game many players peak early and never repeat again.

[RizzeeDizzee]

I voted for 6 guys. (Ranked by likelihood) Johnson, Hall, Tavares, Landeskog, Duchene, Panarin.

Six may seem like a lot, but in today's game many players peak early and never repeat again.

Interestingly I voted for five of the same six, swapping in Carlson for Duchene.

[Irriducibile11]

Interestingly I voted for five of the same six, swapping in Carlson for Duchene.

You're a good man.

Carlson was kinda honorable mention, but I think he's the #1 offensive and PP option in the entire system for a high-powered team. As long as Washington is the team it's been over the last 2 years, I wouldn't exclude a 56-point season. Kinda like Duncan Keith. Also Keith had "only" two seasons with more than 55 pts, with 4 years in between them.

Thus, it seems a little more likely than Duchene getting 72 one day.

[StuntMan12]

Voted Landeskog and Johnson. Think much of the rest should be able to reach or get near to their career high point totals.

[kevinsrangers]

voted johnson. no way he hits 72 again.