Re: Is Kuznetsov amongst the absolute elite officially?
I firmly believe Kuznetsov is the best player in Washington, but I don't think he can score over 90 pts. I think he is limited to 80-85 pt range most seasons, and possibly less than that once Ovechkin slows down. How many more years can OV score 40+ goals? This past season Ovechkin, like many NHLers, feasted on the power play and went from 33 goals the year before to 49 this season. Kuznetsov, although a great player on his own, definitely benefited from OV's resurgence. Will OV score 40+ next year? Maybe. But soon enough he will slow down and then Kuznetsov will have a harder time reaching 80+ pts and 90 is pretty much out of the question.
I also think losing Carlson to free agency will really hurt the power play, which will also impact Kuznetsov's production next year.
This past season is hard to gauge for many players, but for some more than others there are signs that they won't be able to repeat. I have confidence in Mackinnon, for example, to come close to repeating next year (but I consider him elite). Giroux, Voracek, Kuznetsov, and many others...I'm not so sure.
12 team, H2H, salary cap
1 pt/G or A, 2 pts/W, 1 pt/OTL, 1 pt/SO
Forward: B. Point, M. Necas, A. Debrincat, T. Zegras, J. Bratt, L. Raymond
Defense: J. Morrissey, A. DeAngelo, S. Gostisbehere, D. Doughty
Goalie: T. Demko, E. Merzlikins
Bench: M. Rossi, C. Glass, M. Maccelli, M. Dumba, K. Shattenkirk, F. Andersen
Prospects of Note: L. Stankoven, J. Lekkerimaki, D. Yurov, B. Clarke
League has been running continuously since 1997-98