Re: Ekman-Larsson
Originally Posted by
RizzeeDizzee
If the data I located in my Cage Match column on OEL is to be believed, the answer is no. Instead, look at what Ryan Suter is doing in Minny and consider OEL as Suter 2.0.
The issues with OEL are SH Ice Time and low OZ% will conspire to keep down his scoring even if he gets tons of Ice Time, including on the PP.
I think this is a somewhat shallow representation of a player's potential. Just because he kills penalties and is forced to start in his end, his production can't increase ever? Those are factors that does limit his potential now, but his team is terrible. He doesn't really have anyone to pass to that can reliably distribute the puck, and no other elite finisher that would give him assists.
I'd want to see some analysis of the impact of teammates, because it does matter. A lot. Add Domi, Duclair, and a top pick this year and tell me that OEL isn't going to see more production playing with those guys in various situations.
Either way, OEL has far more upside than Muzzin. I get that he may not be worth trading for until his team starts to show these changes, but if you already own him I don't think people should be trading him away.. As for drafts coming up, then sure I would probably let someone else take OEL too early. All this does not change the fact that OEL has a ton of potential and stands to benefit from an improved team. If you have him, keep him. If you don't, then let him prove it. That's the only change I would make to your conclusion in that cage match.
12 team keeper
Points only: G-1, A-1, W-2, SO-3; weekly rosters: 7F, 5D, 2G; keep 20 of 25
F: Tavares, McDavid, RNH, Stepan, Okposo, Brassard, Stone, Scheifele, Zibanejad, Ehlers, Larkin, Lindholm, Namestnikov
D: OEL, Hamilton, Mo. Rielly, Parayko, Gostisbehere, Trouba, Theodore
G: Price, Dubnyk, Lehner, Hellebuyck, Greiss
2014-15 Champ