ROOS LETS LOOSE POLL: Season to Season Scoring Increase Streaks

[RizzeeDizzee]

What goes up must come down? It's normally as true in terms of a player's scoring rate as it is true in general. But some skaters defy the odds and their scoring rate climbs, climbs, again, then climbs some more. The question isn't if, but when that climbing will stop, which brings us to this poll.

The 20 voting choices are all players who've seen their scoring rate (not necessarily their points - their 82 game scoring rate) increase at least the last three seasons, or, if they've only been in the league for three seasons, saw them score at a higher pace in their second season versus their first and then higher in their third than their second. Who should get your votes? Any and all of the players you believe will see their scoring rate increase in 2023-24 versus 2022-23.

As usual, please post in the thread to say who you voted for any why. It's more fun and informative that way.

[RizzeeDizzee]

I voted for the following players:

Buchnevich - how could I not, when he's never not seen a scoring gain from one season to the next
Eriksson-Ek - between what he's showed and the Wild's cap crunch making them unable to sign big names, he should be able to continue to improve
Hayton - I can't see how anyone doesn't vote for him given his trajectory
Hughes - I know it's a tall order to do better, but I think he's extraordinary and has another gear to get him into MacKinnon territory
Kotkaniemi - this time last year I thought he was never going to figure things out, but it looks like he is, and I see him making a big jump in scoring this coming season
Suzuki - he's getting back a healthy Caufield, need I say more

[random-d]

The Stutzle Tkachuk tandem seems inevitable. Ottawa probably should have done better last season so it stands to reason that this next year they make some serious headway and these 2 should be a big part of that. Hayton is a gimme, Suzuki should improve slightly, likewise for Hughes. I like Cozens to continue an upward trajectory as well. Those are the ones I would bet on, I could go either way on most of the others. I think team trajectory will be a major factor for guys like Buch and McAvoy and I'm not confident Dunn didn't just have his career year even though I think he could still post solid numbers.

In hindsight I might have chosen Kempe too but it seems like a fluid roster situation at the moment so the "would I bet on it" factor doesn't quite click for me.

[loppantorkel]

I didn't vote for:
Buchnevich
Giroux
Hughes - I think he'll be around the same number, but maybe not exceed it.
Matheson
Thompson
Tuch

The rest seem more likely to increase their scoring rate, due to age, increased roles or team circumstances.

edit: Robertson was left out too. 109p seems tough to beat for any single season.

[Eskimo Brother]

Voted for:

Cousins - BT & improving team around him. 70pts makes sense
Hagel - Increased role on TB.
Hayton - Better team around him while the young stars haven't yet taken over his ice time either.
Hughes - 110pts+
Kotkaniemi - 45pts shouldn't be a hard bar for him to clear unless the Canes bring in another 2nd line player or two and push him down the lineup.
Suzuki - Read the article out tomorrow, it explains it

[lusshouse]

Voted for :

Stuetzle + B Tkachuk : I think the OTT duo will continue to improve on last year.
Hagel & JEE : I think they'll continue to thrive on roles that will continue to grow on good teams.

Lafrenière, Hayton, Kotkaniemi : Such low tresholds for young guys still below or at their BT.


Finally, I hesitated a lot for Suzuki, and it might be a 'homer' pick, but I think this team might not be playoff bound, but will continue to rise again both offensively and defensively. He'll be C1 with Caufield, and hopefully, enough depth to leave Dach on the other side. This trio is the combo that maximised their offensive output the most last season.

[Pengwin7]

I think several guys will keep scoring more, but my most likely five:

1. Hayton
2. Kotkaniemi (esp. if Jordan Staal doesn't come back)
3. Lafreniere
4. Cozens
5. Suzuki

On D, I'd probably pick Matheson - as I expect the MON PP1 to continue to improve.

[PenguinHunter]

I voted for Cozens, Suzuki and Joel Eriksson Ek

[chuckcouples]

I voted for the following:

JEE
Hagel
Kempe
Lafreniere
McAvoy
Stutzle

[stevegamer]

I voted for these guys:

Young, trending up, and not at a huge number already
Dylan Cozens
Barrett Hayton
Alexis Lafreniere
Brady Tkachuk

In/near prime, role seems solid, and possibly both role and team will improve:
Joel Eriksson-Ek
Brandon Hagel
Mike Matheson

Just because he's one of my favorite players, and the team is getting better, and his role is also safe:
Claude Giroux

Didn't vote for this guy, but he's got a low bar to clear:
Jesperi Kotkaniemi

[RizzeeDizzee]

For Laffy to not be picked by nearly a third of voters - despite him only having to post a point per every other game to improve - says a lot

[tweetdrivr]

For Laffy to not be picked by nearly a third of voters - despite him only having to post a point per every other game to improve - says a lot

He was among my votes…

[Pengwin7]

Lafreniere actually had a drop to 11.9% shooting last year (he was 17% previous two).
He only had 4ppp, with the other 35esp.

There's some space for him to improve even if he's getting only the same minutes.

He had to cede some time to Pat Kane and Tank when they came in.
He gets those minutes back (assuming they sign elsewhere).

NYR has $71m of $83.5m spent.
They have 9F/6D/1G and this doesn't include pay raise for K'Andre Miller (Laf will have to take some bargain-bridge).
https://www.capfriendly.com/teams/rangers

So NYR is patching in 4th liners, a D7, and a back-up goalie.
There's not much of a threat for anybody coming in and stealing his PP2 minutes of 3rd line minutes.