Realistic expectations for Curtis Lazar?

[Harry Lime]

I also think that ottawa has been a strange place to play for the last couple of years. Zabinejad may end up as the biggest steal of untapped potential, but it wouldn't surprise me in the least to see Lazar come back with a strong season, just being out of that system.

[FlamesFanTrev]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

I don't believe that to be likely. In the improbable event that this happens I suppose it is possible that Lazar is kept on the roster for contract reasons, but when dealing with young, bottom six players it probably would not make a significant difference which of Lazar, Klimchuk, or Poirier is playing 8–10 mins a night.

I think the significant difference is Lazar's 180 NHL games played. If they all come into camp and perform equally, then I think Lazar's familiarity with NHL compete level, travel, and schedule gives him the edge. Personally, I don't think it's going to be close, and you might as well put Lazar on the Opening Roster in pen. As for where he slots in the lineup, stick with the pencil. I also think Lazar is a tough bugger with lots of energy, and a chip on his shoulder with something to prove this year. I think he's going to have a career year, which isn't a crazy expectation since his previous best was 20P.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

I don't believe that to be likely. In the improbable event that this happens I suppose it is possible that Lazar is kept on the roster for contract reasons, but when dealing with young, bottom six players it probably would not make a significant difference which of Lazar, Klimchuk, or Poirier is playing 8–10 mins a night.

From a track record perspective, I don't really see Lazar as any more accomplished than a number of forwards we will have in camp so I guess I would be surprised but not shocked if he gets beat out.

Not sure I am fully on board with the sentiment that it doesn't matter who plays on bottom six. Similar comments were made in the Kulak thread in relation to the bottom pairing. I hope GG is able to ice the best team possible, and is not constrained by contracts etc. If someone is good enough, I'd like them to be on the team.

[monkeyman]

I hope he explodes and has an all star season. Just so i can call him Curtis Lastar.

[Poe969]

I honestly still think he has potential to be a top 6 player. I think he's caught a few bad breaks and it's still in him to be the kid he was drafted to be. He reminds me a lot of Backlund, not in that they play the same style of game but for a while I thought that Backlund wouldn't be anything more than a third line guy. This year I don't think he'll be that amazing on the stat sheet but I still see him as a long term part of the team.

[TheKurgan]

Depends entirely on how Gulutzan decides to utilize him. If he gets solid third line minutes with the likes of Bennet and Versteeg I could see him getting upwards of 40pts. On the flip side if he spends most of his time with Stajan and Brouwer on the 4th line I would expect something in the 20pts range. Lazar has talent, just not enough to carry the play himself.

[GioforPM]

Lazar could easily have a decent year. His first couple seasons were better than Sven's, for example, and Sven has had a little resurgence with a decent centre and some ice time (and without the mono to get over). Lazar will have a decent centre on any line (including Stajan IMO). If Stajan and Brouwer are his "worst" linemates, that ain't bad (Brouwer will have a better year too, and Stajan's a pro who can mentor a guy like Lazar.

[united]

He wasn't a relatively high scorer in junior and hasn't shown much at the pro level yet. Considering he was inexplicably rushed into the NHL by the Senators, I don't put a ton of stock into the games played column of his stats, either.

I haven't been sold on him as anything more than a fourth line utility player yet, but I hope he changes my view on him quickly. However, I expect him to be gifted some minutes higher up the lineup at some point this season once injuries start piling up, due to his still present draft reputation combined with his acquisition cost. Whether he takes advantage and never looks back, or the gifted minutes are short-lived, remains to be seen.

7-10-17 is what I would normally expect, however given he will be gifted top six minutes at some point I'll say 9-16-25.

[Vinny01]

If Ferland does not work out on the top line the Flames will be back to rotating other players through other forwards. Lazar likely gets a shot pretty early on in this scenario

[FlamesFanTrev]

Originally Posted by united

He wasn't a relatively high scorer in junior and hasn't shown much at the pro level yet. Considering he was inexplicably rushed into the NHL by the Senators, I don't put a ton of stock into the games played column of his stats, either.

I don't get where this narrative is coming from. In his last year with the Oil Kings he had 76 points in 58 games including 41 goals, which was 12th in league PPG, 9th for goals and 4th for goals/GP. The year before, 61 points in 72 games including 38 goals. What is your threshold for "relatively high"?

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by FlamesFanTrev

I don't get where this narrative is coming from. In his last year with the oil king's he had 76 points in 58 games including 41 goals. The year before year before 61 points in 72 games including 38 goals. What is your threshold for "relatively high"?

Stephane Yelle once scored 104 points in 66 games as a junior.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

Stephane Yelle once scored 104 points in 66 games as a junior.

Decades apart. Junior numbers have changed over the decades just as other leagues have. Bringing up someone that old as a comparable is pointless.

[FlamesFanTrev]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

Stephane Yelle once scored 104 points in 66 games as a junior.

That's an interesting fact. So we have found out that he was relatively lower then Stephane Yelle was 2 decades before.

Seriously though if your 4th in G/GP and 12th in P/GP versus your peers in the same league in a given year, I would contend that your a relatively high scorer in Juniors.

[JohnnyTitan]

I just feel like I need to keep chiming in on the positive side of this thread.

I expect Lazar to be a Flame for at least six years.

It's a silly expectation...but I really like the player and believe this was a Treliving "Wizard" long-term move. We're gonna love this guy!

[FlamesFanTrev]

Originally Posted by Poe969

I honestly still think he has potential to be a top 6 player. I think he's caught a few bad breaks and it's still in him to be the kid he was drafted to be. He reminds me a lot of Backlund, not in that they play the same style of game but for a while I thought that Backlund wouldn't be anything more than a third line guy. This year I don't think he'll be that amazing on the stat sheet but I still see him as a long term part of the team.

Agreed. I think his bad break ranks right up there with Dubnyk in Edmonton. High expectations + No development time + a team strategy that doesn't compliment his playing style + mono = underwhelming results.

I also predicted 44 points for Lazar this year, and I'll stand by that. But I don't think he needs to be amazing on the stat sheet. If he gets 30 points, I think Brad T can pat himself on the back for a trade well made.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

...Not sure I am fully on board with the sentiment that it doesn't matter who plays on bottom six. Similar comments were made in the Kulak thread in relation to the bottom pairing. I hope GG is able to ice the best team possible, and is not constrained by contracts etc. If someone is good enough, I'd like them to be on the team.

That is not what I said and the analogous connection made to Kulak's situation from last year does not apply to my opinion here. What I said is that "it probably [will] not make a significant difference which of Lazar, Klimchuk, or Poirier is playing 8–10 mins a night." The difference here being that Lazar is a young player with potential who is jockeying with other young players with potential for a roster spot. Kulak was unfortunately overlooked on opening night for seasoned veteran Dennis Wideman and Nik Grossmann; both of whom were clearly on the respirator of their careers.

It makes a hell of a difference whether it is Lazar or Luke Gazdic playing on the bottom line, but this is not really a realistic scenario for the start of the season. Given the competition I am pretty comfortable with whoever of the kids grabs one of those spots. on the bottom two lines.

[Da_Chief]

25 Goals and 25 assists after Monahan and Bennett go down with season ending injuries and he centers Johnny Hockey. ahaha.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by FlamesFanTrev

I don't get where this narrative is coming from. In his last year with the Oil Kings he had 76 points in 58 games including 41 goals, which was 12th in league PPG, 9th for goals and 4th for goals/GP. The year before, 61 points in 72 games including 38 goals. What is your threshold for "relatively high"?

For a WHL player with high end offensive potential I would expect at least production around 1.3 points/game in his draft year. I am still bullish on Lazar's potential to be a really good player, but he does not really have the offensive pedigree one would expect for a burgeoning top-six forward. I think he will ideally top out as a #2–3 centre/winger who plays important minutes, kills penalties and can score 15 goals in a season.

[Fighting Banana Slug]

I would think Lazar will be seeing significant time on the 3rd and 4th lines this year, so I think anything more than 25 points is pretty optimistic. I am still excited to see him play regularly, and do think he has potential for more, but I would temper the expectations somewhat.

[FlamesFanTrev]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

For a WHL player with high end offensive potential I would expect at least production around 1.3 points/game in his draft year. I am still bullish on Lazar's potential to be a really good player, but he does not really have the offensive pedigree one would expect for a burgeoning top-six forward. I think he will ideally top out as a #2–3 centre/winger who plays important minutes, kills penalties and can score 15 goals in a season.

cool cuz he had a 1.310 ppg as an 18 year old.