Who takes a step back and a step forward this year?

[Cole436]

A great number of players last year had career seasons, whether they were young guns or vets.

Who do you think this year takes a step back in play and points, and who steps forward?

My pick for a player taking the next step this year won't be controversial, as it's Johnny Hockey. I think the sky's the limit for this kid and he'll break 70 points, establishing himself as a top flight winger in the game.

27-46-73

My pick for taking a step back is Sean Monahan. Monahan is a great player, but I think he was caught in the perfect storm last year playing with great playmakers in Gaudreau and Hudler. With Bennett coming into the team this year and changes coming into the top 6, I don't think Monahan hits the same numbers, at least for this year. He's going to be a top centre in this league, but I don't think he's there just yet.

24-32-56

[Yrebmi]

Colborne forward, Wideman back.

HM for Backlund forward. He'll be stronger

[CalgaryFan1988]

I think Jones is going to have a good year. Great shape, contract year.......

Easy choice is wideman for step back. Hard to duplicate last years numbers.

[Parallex]

Well that depends on what you mean by "step forward" I think that both JG and SM will take a step forward not because I think they'll get more points but because I think that they'll maintain their level of play while playing harder minutes. As for who takes a step back... Hudler, Jooris and Bouma.

[Regorium]

I think Joe Colborne is going to be huge this year. He seemed to have discovered how to use his size in the playoffs and showed aggression that we hadn't seen before. There were some undisciplined penalties, but that's easy to teach out of a player rather than trying to teach a player to unleash that sort of physicality.

I think Giordano is going to take a step back this year. I think the biceps injury is going to play with his mind for a bit, and even though I believe in his defensive positioning and play, I think his offence is going to take a step back until he believes in his shot again.

[Roof-Daddy]

I don't think Gio is in the Norris mix this season, and I don't think Hudler or Wideman will finish with the same high point totals either, so in that regard I think they all take steps back.

I don't think it will hurt the team that much however, as the improvement of some of the younger core and the addition of Hamilton and Frolik will more than compensate for any drop off in production from some of the veterans.

[Vinny01]

I think Gaudreau, and Monahan take steps forward up front. Backlund and Frolik will have career years as well. On the back end I think Hamilton takes a big step and will be a 50-60pt Dman.

I think Bouna takes a step back and scores under 15 and 30pts. Brodie might also take a step back if he is not playing with Giordano and I also do not see Wideman keeping up with his pace last year

[GreenLantern2814]

Hudler takes a step back - he's not a top-10 scorer in the NHL, certainly not without Johnny and Money. Wideman won't score 50 points, but he also (hopefully) won't be getting all of Giordano's PP time.

Toss up between Brodie and Gaudreau for who takes the biggest step forward - I wonder if we're not talking about Brodie as the best D on this team by the end of the year. Of our non-star players, I expect Colborne to have a really good season.

Gaudreau adapts like the Borg. Resistance is futile.

[Ozy_Flame]

Step back: Wideman and and Engelland.

Forward: Gaudreau, Bennett and Ortio.

[DownhillGoat]

Sadly I have to guess Hudler takes a step back. Love the guy but not sure he'll outpace last year. Wideman with less minutes is an obvious choice too.

Step forward? Just to echo the rest of the thread: Gaudreau, Bennett, Hamilton.

[GranteedEV]

Step Back - Engelland. Please. Just Step Back from the top 4.
Step Forward - Everybody.

[JiriHrdina]

Step back: Hiller
Step forward: Ramo

[Strange Brew]

Step back: Bouma, Hudler, Wideman
Step forward: Ramo, Colborne, Backlund

Guys like Johnny and Monahan continue to progress.

[dammage79]

Step forward: Hiller, Ortio, Arnold.

Step Back: Ramo, Jooris, Byron.

[Caged Great]

Forward - Gaudreau and Colborne
Back - Wideman

[Enoch Root]

Wideman simply won't get the ice-time to replicate what he did last year - no chance

Hudler probably doesn't get 76 pts, but he'll still be great

Backlund and Bennett on the plus side

[Vulcan]

If Giordano's shot stays weak I see Wideman scoring about the same with lots of PP time.
Forward - will be Backlund, Brodie and Ferland.
Back - maybe Hudler points wise but still just as valuable.
Goalies, who knows.

[kyuss275]

step back D- Wideman and Brodie. Only saying Brodie because there is a chance he plays with Engelland for most of season. Only so much he can do.

Step back F- Hudler (points only)

Step up D - Hamilton
Step up F - Frolik,Colbourne

Goalies- Have no idea. don't really think any of the 3 are going to be true 1a starters.

[activeStick]

Step Forward: Ramo, Brodie, Jones, Raymond, Gaudreau

Step back: Wideman

[EVERLAST]

Raymond...another step back....Gio...arm injury will be difficult to overcome and match last year so half step back

Step Forward......ORTIO, Bouma, Jones