Quote:
Originally Posted by Nelson
Being a veteran isn’t necessarily about age. Lazar is only 23, but he’s played 245 NHL games compared to Czarnik’s 59 and Foo’s 4. Also, he’s arguably the Flames’ worst forward. I think it’s close. However, there’s no doubt he’s replacement level and should be replaced. The problem is that he has 1st round status and the Flames paid a 2nd round pick for him so he has some value to the organization. But he is lousy and he is a veteran and he is in the way.
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I'm not here to sell Lazar as my leading break out player for next season. He just may not have the ability to move his head into the pace needed to play at the NHL level.
But there's a lot of data that suggests the kid was coming on as a pretty decent fourth line player last year.
His numbers ...
Played 65 games and as a body of work it doesn't look great.
Relative corsi to the team the worst
Relative scoring chances splits to team, 10th worst (moving towards middle)
But high danger chances he's actually 9th best. He gets in on pucks and he keeps the noise down defensively, which is what you want for a fourth line guy.
His splits get more interesting
His first 20 games:
CF% 46.1%
SCF% 45.2%
HDCF% 39.2%
His next 20 games:
CF% 50.1%
SCF% 50.2%
HDCF% 48.2%
His last 25 games:
CF% 55.5%
SCF% 55.4%
HDCF% 60.0%
That's a pretty substantial move in getting things done, especially as the Flames season fell apart.
Not picking on you specifically, but sometimes an old narrative takes hold and fans don't let it go.
I don't think Lazar is ever moving into the top six, he can't think the game fast enough to use his tools. But he's dummying things down and becoming an effective bottom roster player that has speed, heart and hits more than most Calgary depth players.