Quote:
Originally Posted by Red
What argument did I put forward? That a 25 year old with 0 NHL success may not pan out?
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You have a strange definition of success.
Relative to his limited opportunity, he has had success. Last year in 98 5-on-5 minutes, he had three assists for a 1.83 P/60. To put this into perspective, this would have been the fourth-best point production rate of anyone to log 75+ minutes on the Calgary Flames after Gaudreau (2.46), Monahan (2.20), and Ferland (2.06). This was more 5v5 productivity per minute than current roster players' production last year including Neal (1.78), Tkachuk (1.69), Ryan (1.59), Lindholm (1.48), Backlund (1.47), Bennett (1.35), Jankowski (1.34).
In addition, when Czarnik was on the ice, the Bruins posted a 58% CF and 54% xGF%. Matthew Tkachuk led the Flames forwards in these categories with 57.2% CF and 53.6% xGF. Of course Tkachuk has a bigger sample size and against better competition but the obvious point to be made is that if you're making your team outshoot the opposition when you are on the ice, it's usually a sign that you are anticipating in the passing lanes, winning races, winning puck battles, and generally making solid plays in the neutral zone with the puck. All.. you know.. indicators of so-called "NHL success". Which I would rate higher than zero.
And of course you're going to point out that Czarnik only played 98 minutes last year and therefore the sample is meaningless. You're right. That's also why any claim he has had zero success is meaningless.