Holtz , Benson, Stankoven

[Pengwin7]

Stankoven
Benson
Holtz

A lot of this is team upside/opportunity.

I really doubted hard on Stankoven - but everything I've seen suggests he's going to be good scoring NHLer.
Dallas is still a deep team with balanced attack.
Pavelski may be retiring this summer and Duchene probably moves on to a team that offers him big money.
This opens up a LOT of minutes for Stankoven, but I'm not sure if that opportunity beats what Holtz could have.

I like Benson, I think he's going to be a good player... but BUF just has too much of a logjam of talented forwards.
As a Peyton Krebs & Jiri Kulich owner, this team looks 3 lines deep for next 5 years.
If you own any of their forwards, you just don't love this for ice-time.

Hard to be big on Holtz when they have 4 forwards making $7m+.
That's your PP1 forwards: Meier, Hughes, Bratt, Hischier.
If one gets injured or moved though... boy... I'm all over Holtz really fast.
It's happened before. A trade. A major injury.

Next 3 years:
Pegged Scoring / Upside


Stankoven 65 / 85
Benson 60 / 70
Holtz 55 / 95 (if he were to nose onto PP1... 10% chance in that though)

[rataylor22]

Benson
Stankoven
Holtz

I don't think there is a clear tier break between the first two and Holtz, and I wouldn't add a significant asset to Holtz to get either, but I do think the first two will separate themselves from Holtz in the next few years. People can whine about players deployment all they want, and I do think Ruff has made some mistakes with Holtz, but at the end of the day Ruff has generally trusted young players with ice time and Holtz hasn't earned it yet. Even if you personally disagree, one coach has made that assessment and there is a pretty easy scenario where the next coach makes that assessment too. So far that assessment hasn't happened with Benson and hasn't happened with Stankoven (in a much smaller sample).

As for the competition piece....I mean yes, but Benson has so far beaten out that competition and I see no reason to think he won't continue to. Quinn has to show he can stay healthy and that his injuries wont have changed his abilities. Benson has consistently beat out Savoie in Kootenay and so far in Buffalo. And Skinner is in his decline phase and Tuch doesn't have the offensive talent to keep up with Benson.

[Darkwing Puck]

I'm pretty sure Stankoven is the best player in the NHL.

[Axeman33]

I still prefer Stankoven over Benson but it's close. Holtz is lagging way behind these two at this point and I dont see that changing anytime soon. Potential trade could help boost his value but as it stands today, he's not in this conversation.

[SeaDawg]

Stankoven

smallish gap

Benson

significant gap

Holtz

[zambronies]

Benson and Stankoven continue to impress!

[Bubba55]

Holtz!! Why, cause I own him and I don't own Benson or Stankoven. Simple as that! Holtz, seriously........please god make it so.

I have to agree with the consensus here, but I'm far from giving up on Holtz, I think he can be as good or better than the other two, but he needs something to happen to put him on a surer and more progressive career path. Further, we have all seen young guys flourish early on only to take a step or two backwards before they get things fully sorted out and back on track and that is a real possibility that both Benson and Stankoven are potentially susceptible too. We'll see in a year or two, but ya, right now, I'd rather own the other guys ...............

[zambronies]

It could STILL be Holtz lol!! I own stankoven so.im covered- :P but my earlier point still stands- they're all basically 90+ assets who just need the right situation to thrive.

I'll even agree with the order others have listed but I just dont think its time to wrote Holtz off yet- if you give an honest eye to the CONTEXT of his situation
... hes still got a real shot!!

But yea stanky leg has looked great...

I think based on what the original poster asked, ranking Holtz a step below the other two is the right move. But to your point, there are many players I have been high on early in their careers that fizzle out, and players I have been lower on that turn into studs. So there is definitely a universe where Holtz turns into the top player here in the future.

[Belexus75]

I think based on what the original poster asked, ranking Holtz a step below the other two is the right move. But to your point, there are many players I have been high on early in their careers that fizzle out, and players I have been lower on that turn into studs. So there is definitely a universe where Holtz turns into the top player here in the future.

I personally think he is as skilled as other 2 with few extra tools in his toolbox, but his opportunity is hindered atm. With Toffoli moving on, atm there is a spot in top 6 doe him next year. However, NJ's moves over the summer will dictate how they feel about it. If they bring in someone else i will start to worry about Holtz. Otherwise im still very optimistic he will be close to what his buddy Raymond is.