Honka

[Hunter9]

Posted this in prospects discussion, but decided to move it here (can someone remove my prospects post?)

What are people's thoughts on Honka moving forward - he had a very underwhelming year? Have people soured on him, or are they still confident he reaches his potential?

[donpaulo]

He was struggling to make the roster on a nightly basis at first. Consistent effort and preventing goals against was probably the msg he got from management, so I believe he went out and did that.

I don't think anyone here believes that he is going to stay in the NHL playing as a defensive dman.

John's concussion opened the door a tad as well.

There are a few other promising defensmen in the pipeline behind him too.

NHL teams place a premium on skating defensemen and Honka fits that bill nicely

[Avalanche_Ambush]

As a Honka owner in a points only dynasty league I haven't soured on him but soured on his situation with the organization. With the emergence of Klingberg as the elite point producing dman and with Heiskanen in the fold, Honka will need to be moved elsewhere to have a chance at hitting his potential.

[rangerdanger]

not sure he will reach the offensive upside many expect. I see him more as a 2nd or 3rd pairing D. Maybe 2nd PP unit as well. I don’t at least think he willcomparewellwith his comparative D PRosprcts might.

[Jouko-Pouko]

Next season, I think Dallas starts with something like this:
Lindell-Klingberg
Methot-Johns
Heiskanen-Honka

Eventually, I see it changing to:
Heiskanen-Klingberg
Lindell-Honka
Methot-Johns

Honka will be behind Klingberg and Heiskanen for offensive opportunities, and he'll battle with Lindell for those opportunities. But good news is that they don't really have anyone else in the system who would be a threat for him, so unless they acquire a defenseman via trade, this group will stick together and they need to figure out who plays what role.

[berni67]

Maybe Honka will be in same situation as in Nashville in future, Subban, Josi, Ellis.

That's not too bad ?

[ericdaoust]

He's an NHL dman but I don't believe he reaches his potential.

[Axeman33]

As usually happens, if a guy with high expectations doesnt pop early on, people begin to let doubts creep in.

He's young on a team full of young D. Patience kids. In the D world he's still riding prospect status.

[donpaulo]

Well Hitch has retired so perhaps a new coach gives Honka at least a better shot at gaining more minutes

[Savvy1982]

Well Hitch has retired so perhaps a new coach gives Honka at least a better shot at gaining more minutes

Your optimism cheers this Honka owner up a great deal.

[lucafen4]

As usually happens, if a guy with high expectations doesnt pop early on, people begin to let doubts creep in.

He's young on a team full of young D. Patience kids. In the D world he's still riding prospect status.

I think it's partially that, but also partially lots of fantasy owners have game limitations and/or age limitations on their prospects, if they aren't seriously trending up when they graduate from that status, it's decision time. Honka appears to be trending to the drop decision more than hold.

[jaga86]

I think honka could be considered a buy low. The coaching change can?t hurt and if you could get him as a sweetener to a deal. Defenders seem to need a little more time and I am all for someone learning to play pro in the AHL. I think I?ll hold one more year.

In my mind, heiskenin is also a prospect that carries as much a risk as any top flight prospect. I expect honka to play more games in Dallas this season with pp time.

[agentzero]

Lots of offensive talent, but needs a lot of polish to make a big difference at the NHL level. He's got Klingberg to unseat, and I don't see that happening. He's not in the same class. Lots of time to develop.

As mentioned, he is in a battle with Lindell and Lindell is winning out due to a more rounded game. Heiskanen could really push Honka, either up or down the chart.

[DusterDave]

Too much depth on the Dallas blueline in front of him for my liking. Find a manager in your league that is a little high on him and deal him. I made this trade just last week: Zacha + Honka for Kadri.

[ericdaoust]

To clarify, I think he has a good future ahead of him as a secondary scoring dman. I just don't believe he will reach the sky-high potential that was once projected on him. He just hasn't produced like a star in the years leading to his promotion to the NHL. He should have made more impact by now.