Otto Stenberg

[skilles]

What’s everyone’s honest expectations for him? Curious

Post draft he was viewed as a reliable middle six guy with good IQ, decent skill, and that’s pretty much how I still view him

Is that still the projection for you all? Anyone see more upside? I’d like to hope so given how talented Ivar is

I still believe he will be a top 9 swiss army knife.

Yes, but as the first call up I hope (after the first injury)

From my untrained eye, I think Kaskimaki might be more ready for the first call-up. Sternberg has passed the eye test and flashed a little bit of skill, but he really hasn't produced much in North America so far.

Kaskimaki netted 20 goals with the T-Birds and was (only) -8 on that team. But then again, Stenberg was a +2, so

The numbers say Kaskimaki but my eye test says Stenberg for sure but I think we probably see Kaskimaki as well at some point.

The eye test for me is not really close. I think Stenberg is ready for full time NHL but I like the depth in a first callup situation and the 13th forward will pretty much be a full time NHL player.

This is probably my starting line up.

Holloway/Thomas/Snuggs
Mcmichael/McTavish/Buch
Neighbours/Suter/Dvorsky
Toropchenko/Finley/Walker

I agree with you on this, skilles, and I think it's a good idea to let Stenberg dominate a bit as a pro. He's an NHLer for sure, but no reason to make him grind through on the 4th line and press box when he can play top-6 minutes in Springfield, building more chemistry with the other prospects as they continue their dominance from the end of last season. It could be good for his confidence to not trudge through it and get a chance to feel some scoring and winning and leadership like he does with Sweden. Make those Springfield guys force your hand.

Not to be a contrarian but there is no way RJ isn’t on the opening night roster unless he’s injured. They didn’t sign him to a 3 year, 6 million dollar deal to sit him.

I think your top 9 is spot on and that’s how I see it shaking out too (maybe flip Suter and Dvo). But that 4th line has RJ on it for sure.

I expect RJ to be in and out of the lineup and definitely expect Dvo to continue to play some center.

I'd say that RJ contract is the first move I'm not overly fond of. I'm sure it will provide entertainment though.

[Harry York 37]

Johnston will be wonderful, used as needed.

His personality is not unlike Noel Picard, in my recollection- charming and soft-spoken with some sincere self-deprecation. I remember my friends' mom's would fairly swoon over him at times. Lacking the mystique of a French accent... Johnston might be swooned over somewhat less.

The Guys will love him because he will square off with just about anyone who is capable of skating a shift in the NHL.

I predicted, unsuccessfully, last season- just before the disastrous start- that Mailloux's sweater would become popular by Christmas. I think I was about a year too early. I believe Johnston sweaters will appear in the stands two Christmases from now.

They seem loyal, likeable, and willing to give it all for the boys.

[Harry York 37]

Sime of the best things about Stenberg as a winger are-
He will play diligently every shift in all three zones,
He ill not be easy to play against.
He won't do anything foolishly or gutlessly that can tilt the ice and the momentum the other team's way.

(sigh of gratitude and relief)