Quote:
Originally Posted by Oil Stain
Lucic didn't actually play those minutes though.
He played 940 minutes at even strength last year. 375 minutes with one of McDavid, Draisaitl or RNH.
That's 40% of his ES icetime with one of the Oilers few good forwards.
Lucic was also on the first PP with McDavid, Draisaitl, and RNH for half the season.
To say that Lucic scored 20 points from a bottom six role last season isn't accurate.
I think if the Flames are looking for a bounce back candidate from former Oilers, Talbit is much more likely to have a strong season.
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43% of Milan's total PP time during the entire year came during the first 11 games of the season. He was moved off of the top PP and down the Oilers lineup after the first month of the season - and from that point on Lucic did not sniff top six minutes (playing just 5 games with more than 15 minutes of ice time over the remaining 67 games). The talent he played with outside of the "big three" was absolutely AHL level and his production should come as no surprise as a result of that. Regardless of that his time with the "big" three almost came exclusively with RNH who was quite frankly caved in at even strength all year.
Look at the first half of the season for a player like Zack Kassian who prior to being placed on a line with McDavid had just 2 goals, 1 assist, and 3 points in his first 36 games of the year.. Producing in that bottom six (or nine for that matter) is next to impossible and expecting anyone to consistently do so with that supporting cast is laughable.