Quote:
Originally Posted by gvitaly
I would also gamble on Dube taking a bigger step than Yamamoto this year. I don't know if Yamamoto will get more points, as others have mentioned it largely depends on opportunity, but I expect Dube to be the better hockey player this season.
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If Yamamoto gets more points it'll be a slam dunk he'll be the better player because Yamamoto's overall game is stronger.
Yamamoto is strong on the forecheck and a responsible player in all three zones. He's a tireless worker all over the ice. The Oilers started working him into the PK rotation last season as well.
Even if the offence doesn't come, Yamamoto could have a Paul Byron type of career.
It seems unlikely that Yamamoto will pop so much offensively this year that he will be priced off the team. The first unit gets all the PP time and he won't be part of that. Also, his first season scoring at a ppg pace was very unsustainable. In the range of 30-40 points seems like the reasonable max he will do.