CAGE MATCH TOURNAMENT #3 - "Never Again" Totals - VOTE HERE!

[RizzeeDizzee]

All good things must come to an end, and this week marks our third and final installment of the Winter Cage Match Tournament series. This week we shift gears from wondering whether players who are performing much better than was expect are in fact achieving their "new normal", to deciding the same question about skaters who are underachieving versus predictions.

As you can see above, each player has been put in a "Never Again?" points category, and the way you decide your vote will be based on whether you think that skater will produce at or above his "Never Again?" number in 2017-18 or ever again. If you believe he'll rebound and hit that "Never Again?" threshold this season, next season, or any season down the road, then do not vote for him. If, instead, you think the best he will do this season and in the future will be less than that his "Never Again?" number, then he should get your vote.

As with the previous other tournaments, you can vote for multiple players, so cast your votes for as many (or as few) players you think will never again hit their "Never Again?" number. Be sure to also post a comment explaining who you voted for and why, since the goal with these tournaments is to have a fun time but also to provide fantasy insight.

Note that if you're surprised that some players made the list and other didn't, as will be explained in the full column on Wednesday I decided not to include any players over age 30. I figured a decline from them is less of a surprise as it might be from these 16 choices, each of whom is 30 or younger. I also tried to include players who are on rosters or radars in most leagues, which is why some arguably deserving players (cough cough.....Bobby Ryan, Ryan Strome......cough cough) didn't make the cut either.

Lastly, one quick scheduling note - there will be no cage match next week as I work on my content for the Midseason Guide. But be sure to check back on January 10th for a return to the normal cage match format. If you have any suggestions for some matches you?d like me to cover once I resume with the normal column, you should also feel free to make a recommendation in a post here as well.

[gooding74]

I went with the higher-end guys (Crosby, Backstrom, Benn) since it's very difficult in today's NHL to reach those numbers. Also Okposo because I think injuries have slowed him. Otherwise the rest of the players have at least an outside chance at hitting those point totals again.

[lucafen4]

Duchene only for me... Never count Sid out... I don't think I would have chosen him if this said never again 100+pts

[Axeman33]

I dont count any of them out to hit their previous numbers. To say "never" is too harsh a word for me to bite on. If they have done it once, there's nothing to say they won't do it again at some point.

[RizzeeDizzee]

I dont count any of them out to hit their previous numbers. To say "never" is too harsh a word for me to bite on. If they have done it once, there's nothing to say they won't do it again at some point.

I understand this logic and the whole never say never mentality, but technically everyone has a never again number. It's just a question of when or how high.

[Axeman33]

When they retire Ill say never.

[stevegamer]

I voted for Backstrom, O'Reilly, Okposo, Atkinson.

Atkinson is "barely did this once with a perfect storm of situation", so that's an easy one for me.
Okposo I think is done as a major scorer, he's under 30, but barely.
O'Reilly needs to get back to being a #1 center to get there, I think. I don't see any teams where he might be that, other than Montreal, Ottawa or maybe Vegas. Probably missing one or two, though.

Backstrom's was the one I vote for that I think has the best chance, because the Caps could get really hot. However, he needs to keep #1C & #1 PP duties, and that may be a tall order. Unlike O'Reilly, he could go to a number of other teams and have that usage.

[cheese_cake]

Brassard, Foligno and Okposo

[blayze]

I dont count any of them out to hit their previous numbers. To say "never" is too harsh a word for me to bite on. If they have done it once, there's nothing to say they won't do it again at some point.

Jeez, could you be any more of a party pooper?


Backstrom, Benn, Duchene, Atkinson, Palat stood out for me

[StuntMan12]

As much of your guys' favorite singer famously said "Never say never". I think most have the ability to do so, if you twisted my arm and made me select some that won't reach those totals, it would be Foligno, Okposo, Duchene.

[Axeman33]

Jeez, could you be any more of a party pooper?


Backstrom, Benn, Duchene, Atkinson, Palat stood out for me

LOL! Sorry blayze.

Call me the optimist I guess.

[lucafen4]

I'm close to Axe on this one... but I still took Duchene.. if Duchene wants to prove me wrong, I think he should call Dustin Brown.

[RizzeeDizzee]

I'm glad to see all the votes, and how close the voting totals are. There's still plenty of time to cast ballots, plus add comments with your views on why you did or didn't vote for certain players.

And I'd still be interested to hear cage matches you'd like to see in 2018, so please chime in with ideas.

[The Comish]

The only one that truly stood out for me was Foligno hitting 50 points again.

[Axeman33]

You need to put a "none of the above" option.