Cage Match Tournament #1 - breakout forwards - FINAL round (VOTE HERE)

[RizzeeDizzee]

Welcome back to the Cage Match Tournament to determine the 2016-17 breakout NHL fantasy forward. Thanks to your record numbers of votes (I really appreciate that – a sincere thanks to all who cast ballots last round), 40 forwards from round one have been narrowed to just eight for this week’s final voting. For those who want to see the totals and excellent forum posts from round one, you can access them here (http://forums.dobbersports.com/showt...t-for-details) and here (http://forums.dobbersports.com/showt...t-for-details).

For this week’s finals, you can only vote for one player and there’s no division between age groups, so you’ll have to pick a true favorite among the eight who emerged. Voting will be open through Monday August 1st, so make sure your voice is heard before it’s too late. And please again use this thread to discuss why you voted the way you did.

Be sure to check out my accompanying Cage Match column - http://www.dobberhockey.com/hockey-h...-2016-round-2/. It includes more details on this round, plus analysis on round one voting and a long look at the eight finalists.

See you next week, when we shift to breakout defensemen for a one-week second tournament!

[RizzeeDizzee]

I decided to reveal my vote this time (note - last round I voted for Couturier, Ehlers, Trocheck in the under 23 bracket, and Bozak, Hornqvist, and Gallagher in the over 24 bracket) - it's Hornqvist. As you'll read in my column tomorrow, it's based mostly on the overwhelming likelihood that he's paired with Crosby all season. And simple math suggests that should put him in the best position, out of all these players, to get 65 next season. I'm looking forward to seeing how this turns out, and to hear your comments as well.

[RememberRobitaille]

Had to go with Gallagher. He's likely to get top line minutes both on the PP and at even strength. He was also on a 67 point pace last year before the injury.

[finnys_fanatsy]

Gallagher...voted with my team in mind but also believe he has the best shot.

[sharpp87]

I voted Hornqvist.
He's never done it but at 29 still in his best years.

I dont think either of them will even hit 60 pts but my bet would be on Hornqvist.

[bergman]

Gallagher.

Was on pace for just over 60 last year. Still young so don't think it's out of the question to suggest he could add an extra 5 points to his 82-game pace. Only obstacle is whether Radulov takes time away from him on the top line.

**Edit: his points per game adjusted to 82 GP was almost 62.

[Rehdaun]

No need to change my vote now. Selected Ehlers in the other poll and I'm selecting him here too. None of my other picks made it besides Gallagher and I was iffy on him anyway.

[Boogeypop]

I just don't see Gallagher putting up 65+ with MTL's lineup. Radulov will compete for top line billing so maybe he might be the PP 4th man.

I think Hornqvist is the guy because of the chemistry he was finally showing last season from January onward. It was a 65 pt clip.

[Sulla]

Ehlers for me

[Irriducibile11]

Rick, are you also gonna do a poll on the biggest fallers?

[The Comish]

I don't like any of them to hit for 65 points this year. I think Hornqvist has the best chance, but he'll have to play at least 80 games to make it happen and that's not a good bet either.

[RizzeeDizzee]

Rick, are you also gonna do a poll on the biggest fallers?

I hadn't thought of that - I'll consider it and ask Dobber. Next week is defensemen risers though, so there's definitely at least one more week of voting fun.

[gnarlycrow]

My mind says Hornqvist but my gut says Ehlers, I'll go with Ehlers, there is just something about him.

[horrorfan]

Just took a flier on Larkin, though not based on a lot of analysis. A strong rookie year with over 200 SOG, maybe with the loss of Datsyuk he'll get more ES and PP time it could happen. He'll need his linemates to score more as 22 assists obviously won't cut it. Others listed may be more likely but thought I'd go against the majority.

[RizzeeDizzee]

Just took a flier on Larkin, though not based on a lot of analysis. A strong rookie year with over 200 SOG, maybe with the loss of Datsyuk he'll get more ES and PP time it could happen. He'll need his linemates to score more as 22 assists obviously won't cut it. Others listed may be more likely but thought I'd go against the majority.

Your instincts might be spot on - as I noted in the article, among the players since 1990-91 who had 20+ goals, 20+ assists and 2.75+ SOG per game as a teenage rookie, each one of them had 63+ points in at least one of their first two campaigns.

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My mind says Hornqvist but my gut says Ehlers, I'll go with Ehlers, there is just something about him.

I'm 100% in the same boat as you regarding both players, although I opted for Hornqvist instead. But yes - to me Ehlers has the it factor that just screams huge breakout.