2009-10 Rink Wrap: Mathieu Perreault
by Stephen Pepper on Jun 1, 2010 11:00 AM EDT
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PrintFrom Alzner to Varlamov, we're taking a look at and grading (please read the criteria below) the 2009-10 season for every player who laced 'em up for the Caps for a significant number of games during the campaign, with an eye towards 2010-11. Next up, Mathieu Perreault.
Mathieu Perreault
#85 / Center / Washington Capitals
5-10
175
January 5, 1988
1
$716,667 cap hit; RFA after 2010-11 season
N/A
Key Stat: Tallied six points (two goals, four assists) in his first eight NHL games, and zero points in his next eight.
Interesting Stat: His average 5-on-5 shooting distance was the shortest of all Capitals skaters.
The Good: Whether you call him Matty or Perry, Mathieu Perreault's exuberance, his soft hands in traffic, and his electric goal celebrations instantly captured the imagination of the Capitals faithful. In fact, a call to MeiGray revealed that his game-worn Capitals jerseys were pre-ordered seemingly moments after he scored his first NHL goal, at home on November 7th vs. Florida.
Perreault skated most often with Eric Fehr on the third line and, during his second recall in late March, centered a dynamic third group with Fehr and Jason Chimera, adding the perfect shiftiness and playmaking compliment to Chimmer's rugged style and Fehr's aggressive, north-south game. With the addition of Eric Belanger at the trade deadline and an otherwise healthy roster of centers, there was simply no room at the NHL level for Perreault to develop further with those two. And that left a lot of fans wanting.
Though it's a short sample size, it's worth noting that six of Perreault's nine points were tallied in the third period (and four of his five assists were of the primary variety).
Perreault showed good discipline during his time with the big club as well, committing just two hooks and and interference penalty while drawing nine penalties at 5-on-5.
The Bad: His 45.2 FO% won't cut it with the big club. (Though, as a point of reference, fellow pivot Nicklas Backstrom finished his first season in the NHL with a 46.3 FO%, and has improved steadily each season since under assistant coach Dean Evason's guidance.)
Perreault also finished with the lowest Corsi rating of all Caps centers with at least 20 GP, suggesting that his defensive game, at the NHL level, also needs some work.
His initial recall from Hershey energized the team and opened wide a lot of eyes of fans and the organization alike. However, as with many rookies, once the adrenaline rush of playing in the show wore off, consistent offensive production became difficult. Jose Theodore, acting as mentor for the young forward, said it best:
"I'm helping him a little bit with learning to be consistent, [which] is what you need to play in the NHL. When you get called up, you're so excited, you play like it's the Stanley Cup finals. But you have to make sure that you stay consistent in how you practice and how you play so that doesn't fade away."
We think he'll learn for next season.
The Vote: Rate Perreault below on a scale of 1-10 (10 being the best) based on his performance relative to his potential and your expectations for the season - if he had the best year you could have imagined him having, give him a 10; if he more or less played as you expected he would, give him a 5 or a 6; if he had the worst year you could have imagined him having, give him a 1.
The Discussion: Is Perreault a viable option for centering a scoring line on this Caps team in 2010-11? Do you see him breaking camp with the team in October, or starting the season again in Hershey and being just a phone call away? What will it take for him to earn a 10 rating next year?
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8
Maybe a little high, but I honestly didn’t think he’d get more than 5 games in the NHL and I definitely didn’t think he’d show the kind of ability to create in the NHL that he showed. He obviously needs to work on his strength and consistency, but his brief stint proved that he can open up the ice and create scoring chances. His average shot distance also demonstrates that he’s not afraid to go to the net.
He probably won’t be ready for a full-time NHL gig in 2010-11. He’s only 22 and if you look at his two best comparables (Marty St. Louis and Danny Briere) you notice that neither of those guys were able to stick in the NHL until they were 24-25. I think MP gets another look in the NHL next year, likely with even more games than this year (depending on injuries), but I don’t think he’s realistically a full time option to play C in the NHL until 2011-12 at the earliest. I’d like him to work on his strength in the off-season so he can hold up against the rigors of NHL hockey a little better than he did this year.
A 10 next year would be 60+ NHL games and 40+ NHL points, locking down a top 3 C position.
I waited all year for this?
by Rob Parker on Jun 1, 2010 11:17 AM EDT reply actions 7 recs
if you look at his two best comparables (Marty St. Louis and Danny Briere) you notice that neither of those guys were able to stick in the NHL until they were 24-25
Excellent, excellent point and one that I actually hadn’t thought about; I’m certainly guilty of assuming if he didn’t make the team next year, Perreault would be a “bust”. It’s funny how years of seeing guys get rushed into the NHL – and ruined as a result – can be undone by having guys like Backstrom and Ovechkin make it right away.
Would love to see him work on that strength/consistency as well, and see maybe half a regular season – the first call-up whenever a center is injured.
AO, Crosby, Malkin, Backstrom, Toews, Kane, etc. have really spoiled us. The last half-decade of draft picks have been better prepared for the NHL than any era before and the new rules really make it even easier for them to come in. It makes it easy for us to forget that normally teens don’t play in the NHL and that usually you don’t start to expect NHL performance until at least 21-22, and we’re already thinking that guys that age are at the “shit or get off the pot” stage.
I waited all year for this?
by Rob Parker on Jun 1, 2010 1:02 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
It’s so true – it’ll be interesting to see what happens with the weaker drafts over the next few years. I do tend to limit that attitude to forwards, though. I think the memories of Eminger are too fresh for me to want to rush defensemen, and the Penguins came very close to destroying Fleury by pushing him into the lineup so early. (Plus there’s the tiny amount of hockey knowledge I have that tells me defense and goal are positions that generally take longer to “perfect”…)
Guys like Perreault, though, are the types of guys who really show you how good -or bad – an organization is at developing players. Without the luck of an Ovechkin/Crosby/Backstrom-level talent, can you take a guy like MP and make him into a full-time NHLer? I think the Caps org has that ability but it’ll be interesting to see what happens.
Couldn’t have put it better myself….so I won’t. Rec’d.
Because now I can justify browsing and commenting during the work day with the argument that I am promoting my business.
by Sombrero Guy on Jun 1, 2010 12:58 PM EDT up reply actions
Another player you could potentially compare him to is Claude Giroux.
Mathieu Perreault is seven days older, one to two inches shorter, and five to ten pounds lighter than Claude Giroux. Both came up through the QMJHL. Both put up similar point totals in their last two years in juniors.
"Ovechkin, what is good in life?"
"To crush your enemies. To see them driven before you. And to hear the lamentations of their captain."
I think Giroux has always been ahead of MP on the curve, and those two inches are a big deal. I’d love it if MP could pan out like Giroux, but I’m not confident. If MP and Giroux were traded straight up I’d feel like we won in a landslide.
I waited all year for this?
If MP and Giroux were traded straight up I’d feel like we won in a landslide.
Jesus, yes. That’s not even the word for it.
Only YOU can prevent idiots from commenting!
by Knee high to a duck on Jun 1, 2010 3:55 PM EDT up reply actions
The Vote: Rate Perreault below on a scale of 1-10 (10 being the best) based on his performance relative to his potential and your expectations for the season – if he had the best year you could have imagined him having, give him a 10; if he more or less played as you expected he would, give him a 5 or a 6; if he had the worst year you could have imagined him having, give him a 1.
I never travel far....without a little Big Star...
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jun 1, 2010 11:20 AM EDT reply actions 2 recs
10
I wasn’t even expecting MP to make the team, now or ever. Getting called up, doing what he did (which was something we sorely lacked at the time, his hustle/hard work was appreciated), and getting me enamored with a guy who’s drastically undersized when I’ve said many times in private chats that size is almost a requirement.
I think where he starts is entirely determined by how the Caps feel about their salary situation, and how NHL ready Mackan is.. If the Caps feel next year there’s going to need to be some cap room around, I could see MP breaking camp in DC if Mackan’s not ready. If the Caps can find a center who’ll take a 1 year deal or less than 3 million, I see MP starting in Burgundy, Chocolate, and White.
All in all, if the guy can bring the hustle, hard work, and improve on his skillset, I’m 100% behind him breaking camp with the big squad next year.
"Don't mind WM...he's an all-around jerk."
His skillset is probably the one thing he doesn’t need to improve. Exactly what about his skills would you like to see improved? His skating, stick handling, and passing are already elite. I guess I’d like to see him work on that shot but “skill” ain’t what he lacks.
I waited all year for this?
Strength, conditioning, faceoffs, overall defensive game.
"Now wait a minute. This is just purely a social call. You know, just two adults getting a stew on, man."
by The Ghost of Bebop on Jun 1, 2010 11:49 AM EDT up reply actions
I’d say strength and conditioning. Maybe just continue to fine tune his game. Pure skill is what has gotten him so far; without it his size would have been too much of a liability. I actually don’t even think he’s that bad defensively, I just think he needs to be stronger to be able to battle at the NHL level for more than 10 games at a time.
I waited all year for this?
I think there are at most two other players on the Caps that have (and use) the skill to slow down a game to his pace like MP showed. The goal where I believe Pothier took the pass at the top of the face off circle after MP backed the D in is a perfect example. He completely pushed the D back and then slowed up and put his drop pass right where it had to be.
I waited all year for this?
The Caps are in an odd position right now, cemterwise. They have a galaxy-class 1C, no clear/true 2C to support their 40-goal scoring wing, two 4Cs, and two UFAs and Matty Perreault who can all play 3C, plus a first-round draft pick on his way in to dev/rookie camp.
The wild card is that draft pick, Marcus Johansson.
Ideally, he comes into camp, smokes everyone on the ice and emerges a clear/true 2C and takes the position he was drafted to fill with Brooks and Sasha on his wings.
But I don’t think that happens. I think he comes to camp showing that he needs a little work. Normally that wouldn’t be a problem – the Caps would ship him down to Hershey for a month or three of honing his skillz against the Baby Pens and the Charlotte Checkers. But his contract doesn’t give him that option. If he doesn’t make the team he goes back to his pro team in Sweden. Most likely for the entire season.
So then the question that most concerns Perreault’s status is do they keep Mackan with the team and try him at 3C or even 4C for a while, or do they forgo a year of his ELC? If they keep Mackan here at 3C or 4C, any chance for Matty to come up this year pretty much vanishes.
Unless Boyd Gordon gets hurt, maybe.
Not to hijack the Matty P thread with discussions of Mackan, but that raises an interesting point. As I understand it, Mackan has the option to stay in Hershey or go back to Sweden to play, which is required based on the CBA. He is not required to go back to the Swedish elite league. He has said that he’d go back if he doesn’t make the Caps, presumably because he’d make a lot more money in Swedish.
But why can’t the Caps convince him that Hershey (versus Sweden) is the best for his development and would most likely lead to him being called up one or more times during the season — perhaps to stay? It would seem to me that that would be a more desirable option for Mackan.
This interview with Swedish media from the day of his signing has some clues.
And I don’t mean to hijack the conversation, but even in Hershey, Matty and Mackan would prolly be in competion for the same spot.
My guess is that the Capitals would not have given him that out clause unless they’re pretty darn sure he’s going to make the roster. I suspect that they’ll have Mackan and Perreault in DC along with Belanger to compete for the second and third line center spots, with the idea being that Johansson eventually works his way into the second line role. If it doesn’t work, they shop for a center come March.
I think Perreault actually is going to get a longer look at left wing rather than center, too.
I think the out clause is now standard for anyone coming from SEL, as part of the transfer agreement between the two leagues.
#savethekittens!
Donation info for SAVES FOR KIDS 2010!! Make a difference.
7
First 10 games were great and warrant a 9 rating. Next 11 games were as expected and warrant a 5. It averages out to a 7.
MP has a lot of heart and a good bit of skill, but I can’t see him being a 2C or 3C for the Caps. His CORSI rating is not a fluke. While he is shifty and has a knack for offense, he’s just not big enough to consistently win faceoffs or play the solid, physical defense that’s expected of an NHL center. And that would offset whatever offense he brings to the table. It’s simply not enough for a team with Stanley Cup aspirations. As much as I like the kid and appreciate his heart and guts, I would hate seeing him matched up against a Malkin or Richards in the playoffs – it would be an opposing coach’s dream.
.
So my brother ran into ShaMo and Laich at Front Page in late March. He wished them "good luck" for the upcoming playoffs. When he told me this story I got really pissed and blurted: "You wished THEM luck?!? They need to wish us fans luck for the excruciating way they'll manage to break our hearts this spring." They didn't disappoint.
Have you been watching Briere? Guy has been PHI’s best forward in the playoffs and throughout his career has been a solid playoff performer.
I waited all year for this?
MP is no Dan Briere. Never will be. At best, MP is on the permanent AHL-NHL shuttle bus. He may get a season at 2C for a rebuilding NHL team and throw up 40 points, but he’s not a top 6 guy for a contending team. And he doesn’t fit the physical requirements to be anyone’s permanent 3C or 4C. (No way he’s 5’10" 175 lb. More like 5’8", 160.)
So my brother ran into ShaMo and Laich at Front Page in late March. He wished them "good luck" for the upcoming playoffs. When he told me this story I got really pissed and blurted: "You wished THEM luck?!? They need to wish us fans luck for the excruciating way they'll manage to break our hearts this spring." They didn't disappoint.
How can you definitively say all this? You are just the latest in a long line of people that said he was too small to make it, and yet he has continued to prove them wrong. Why is he no Danny Briere? What about Briere is so qualitatively different? Maybe a little more skill, but he’s tiny and not great at D as well. What about Marty St. Louis? The smaller guys take time to develop, but there’s no reason to just write them off; especially at age 22 when they’ve cleared every hurdle thrown at them.
I waited all year for this?
by Rob Parker on Jun 1, 2010 12:09 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Three reaons I think this:
1) The odds are against MP. For every Theo Fleury or Martin St. Louis that have cracked the top-6 forwards for an NHL team, there are 50 sub 5-8" dudes skating in the A, the O, the Q, WHL, NCAA, etc. that will never stick with an NHL club due to size limitations.
2) MP lacks the nastiness that smaller guys have. Dan Briere has a mean streak, Theo Fleury had a mean streak. Those guys played “bigger” than they were. MP does not.
3) MP is not what the Caps need right now. The Caps need a 2C that can play solid-two-way offense and is dynamic enough to create chances for Alex Semin. I don’t see MP filling that role. By the time the Caps release him he’ll be ~24. It’ll be tough to stick with any club permanently when he’s competing for the 2C slot with teenage first rounders.
That’s why I think he won’t pan out to anything more than a journeyman. Now if he was a legit 5’11" 180…different story. And if he was 6’2" 200 and could keep the same skill level, he’d be an all-star.
So my brother ran into ShaMo and Laich at Front Page in late March. He wished them "good luck" for the upcoming playoffs. When he told me this story I got really pissed and blurted: "You wished THEM luck?!? They need to wish us fans luck for the excruciating way they'll manage to break our hearts this spring." They didn't disappoint.
1) The Odds are against everyone. For every 6’5" D in the league there are 50 Joe Finley’s that couldn’t skate well enough. The NHL is the elite of the elite, so the odds are in nobody’s favor. Almost everyone has limitations, it’s about overcoming them and there’s no reason to think MP can’t do it considering what he’s done so far.
2) Dan Briere loves his stick work, but he’s not tough or physical. You can use “nasty” but that doesn’t do much for me, and it’s certainly not the reason he’s in the NHL. He’s in the NHL from his skill. Oddly enough, you ignore Lady Byng winner Marty St. Louis.
3) The Caps need cheap secondary scoring, in whatever form they can find it. If they “need” someone to “create chances for Alex Semin” then that’s a reason to get rid of Semin; not a reason to ignore MP (a guy that created chances for Chris Clark and Tyler Sloan!).
If if if. If he was bigger and had the same skill he’d have been a 1st round pick. His whole life he’s been undersized but been a better player than the other guys around him. You (and many others) will continue to rule him out because he’s small. I’ll just sit here and wait for him to prove you all wrong.
I waited all year for this?
Also as much as you can call B.S. on listed height and weight for MP it’s true for many of the players.
Morrison and Belanger were listed at 5’11" and 6’ both 185 as well. I call shenanigans on that. If you turn those guys sideways they disappear.
Other examples of smallish players that come to mind are Patrick Kane, or Zach Parise. Even the MTL mighty mites Gomez, and Gionta ect…
Having stood next to him recently I would guess MP is likely around 5’9" 165.
the Capitals have got to be among the worst in the league when it comes to adding extra inches and pounds to their players.
#savethekittens!
Donation info for SAVES FOR KIDS 2010!! Make a difference.
Note the lucky lady is snuggled right up to Brooks. IIRC, the boys took Matty out clothes shopping after their appearance because his callup was extended and he ran out of clothes.
and they found clothes at the NHL store? I thought the players get all that Caps stuff for free from the team.
Oddly enough, you ignore Lady Byng winner Marty St. Louis.
Who happens to play a much, much grittier game than Briere.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Jun 1, 2010 9:12 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
7
If George goes long on the 2C this summer I just can’t see him cracking the big roster next year (except through injuries), but count me in on the Chimmer-MP-Fehr cabal when he does.
For a 10, let’s say 20 goals in 50+ games, tap his FO% up to ~50%, and continue to remind me of this guy.
More norrissey, less morrissey
I love that guy. What a nice comparison, though I think MP is more skilled and lest feisty.
I waited all year for this?
It would be hard to imagine a Selke at this point for MP, but the game sense and his ability to make his wingers more effective is NHL quality right now at 22.
More norrissey, less morrissey
He won’t win a Selke but who cares? Most guys don’t and that doesn’t mean you can’t still be a quality NHL player.
I waited all year for this?
When McPhee drafted MP, he noted that the scouts rated his “hockey sense” far above other players his age. The kid understands the game which is probably why he was able to score so many of his goals from close in. The puck tends to find players with that uncanny sense of knowing where the puck is going to before anybody else. That said, if he starts the season as the Caps #3 center, that’s probably not a good thing. Speed and skill can only get you so far when you’re 5’9". You can’t afford to make the same kind of mistakes that a 6’2" player can or you’re going to end up on IR or worse. Perrault will see time in the NHL next year. Maybe 20-30 games depending on injuries to other players, but he really needs a full summer in the weight room and then a season in the AHL learning how to play with his added bulk. Someone used the Doug Gilmour comparison and while they might be similar in size, Gilmour was one tough hombre. Perrault’s never going to be that type of player, but for him to succeed in the NHL, he’s going to have to get tougher and that’s the value of one more year in the A.
I agree with most of this. As I said before, I disagree with the Gilmour comparison a little bit (though I’d love to see MP, or anyone, get the most out of their skill set like Gilmour did). Gilmour was a little bigger and scrappier than MP/Briere/St. Louis. All of those other guys are great at finding open ice and exploiting it. It seems like the puck just squirts to them. I suspect that a problem that takes these guys a few years to figure out is that through their youth they are just faster and quicker than everyone else so they had no problem finding the open spots in a defensive zone and manipulating defenses. Now there are a lot of bigger players that can skate as well as them (or almost as well) and it is much harder to find that open space. Learning how to read the play to find those open spaces, and then battle to maintain possession when defenses close in on you, is probably the biggest thing MP has to learn to be a full time NHL guy.
I waited all year for this?
There’s the saying in baseball about AAA phenoms who never make it to the bigs because they can’t hit the curveball. I think what you’re describing is the NHL curveball. Small guys are at such a disadvantage in this league because the players are so much faster and bigger than what they’re used to. The attribute all small guys who succeed in the NHL seem to have is enourmous courage. Thankfully, MP appears to have plenty of that. If he can add that extra bulk without losing speed and quickness, he should be able to play, but it’s not going to be easy. There’s a reason why a player who was the MVP and leading scorer in the Q fell to the 6th round. The odds are definitely stacked against someone his size.
4
and that’s generous. Zero points in eight games for a scoring center, with weak defense, says it all.
Does anyone believe this guy is really 5’ 10"? He’s closer to 5’ 8". His skills and/or heart are not strong enough to overcome his small size. I suspect he’ll get several more chances next year but I don’t anticipate any improvement, sadly. I’d want to see 25 goals next year, and a regular spot on the 3rd/4th line, to get a 10, along with significantly improved defense.
He managed to make Chris Clark and Ty Sloan look like viable NHL forwards. You don’t seem like you expect much from him, or are very high on him, so I’m curious as to what expectation you had for him that he failed to meet? Based on your comment, it sounds like you didn’t even expect him to get an NHL sweater at all this season.
I waited all year for this?
but what were your expectations coming in to this season? Because, quite honestly, the 4 you gave him doesn’t seem remotely connected to “his performance relative to his potential and your expectations for the season.”
#savethekittens!
Donation info for SAVES FOR KIDS 2010!! Make a difference.
by RedBirdie on Jun 1, 2010 12:03 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Zero points in eight games for a scoring center, with weak defense, says it all.
Seeing as how he played 21 games in the NHL and the rest of the season and the playoffs in the AHL, no, no it doesn’t say it all.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Jun 1, 2010 9:49 PM EDT up reply actions
8
I had no expectations of note for him this year…figured me might see 1-10 games of action due to injuries, no extended (4+ games) recalls. So he was pretty far above expectations to get into 21 games, let alone score 9 points in those games and generally look solid.
The Discussion: Is Perreault a viable option for centering a scoring line on this Caps team in 2010-11? Do you see him breaking camp with the team in October, or starting the season again in Hershey and being just a phone call away? What will it take for him to earn a 10 rating next year?
MP is not, IMO, a 2C, or even a full-time 3C…at least not next season. Still too many issues with size/stamina/defense at this stage of his career. I expect either him or Johansson to start the season with the caps in the 3C role. If it’s MP, I don’t really think he will last more than 20 games or so before being sent back down, with occasional recalls still possible. So my baseline expectations would probably be for ~25-40 games and 12-20 pts (about .5 points-per-game). With that said, to get a 10 he would have to lock down that 3C spot for the entire season, while also showing the ability to occasionally fill in on higher lines as needed. He would also need to check in at closer to .7 ppg (~50-55 pts), and improve his defensive game and faceoffs (both of which are likely requirements if he is to lock down that 3C spot anyway).
any chance he can pack 10 lbs of muscle?? I worry about him holding up long term throughout a full NHL season.
The NHL may have more skilled hitters, but the AHL hits aren’t sneezable, and a lot of guys are out for blood, from the few AHL games I’ve attended. I’m not worried about his physicality holding up, I’m worried about his mental.
"Don't mind WM...he's an all-around jerk."
9
‘Cause I really didn’t believe he’d even get a couple of coffee this year, and he not only got that, but he became an effective energy line depth center for them. Although I wish he could have scored a bit more, he made guys around him better, and there were a couple of games that Boudreau actually threw out his line more in a period when the rest of the squad looked lethergic. Not bad for a guy who I thought was a least two years away.
I think Perreault’s got an open shot at the roster next year, and I think he’ll be used on the wing almost as much as center to give him playing time and test his scoring ability. He’s got to improve his faceoffs and his offensive consistancy, and the real question is whether he can hold up an entire NHL season and be effective.
8
Never expected him to play more than a few games in the NHL and didn’t expect him to have such an impact. He plays like Pete Rose out there — constantly hustling and playing with all heart.
A 10 next year? He comes up and proves he can play 82 games. He doesn’t need to play 82 games, just prove that his game isn’t going to taper off. I’m putting my expectations very low since I just don’t see him being ready for the NHL yet. Lack of size and because of that lack of stamina.
All the king's horses and all the king's men
Couldn't put Humpty together again
10
Never even paid attention to him in the off-season because I thought he’d never even get a sniff in the show. Figured he’d struggle to even stay in the Bears lineup.
Looking forward to great things, a 10 next year would be playing the while season as an effective center for the caps at either the third or even second line center.
Great. Now I have to change my name to "Jaromir meet Alex".
by Chris meet Alex on Jun 1, 2010 12:26 PM EDT reply actions
8 based upon little to no expecations. i have a real hard time seeing him as a full time 2C in this league. however, i never bet against guys his size. guys like that get their opportunities by performing, not because they “look” like what an nhl player should look like. i would like to see him get a shot next year to play on more of a full time basis before any determinations are made.
i think if the team makes a move for a 2C then it makes it tougher for MP to get a sweater out of camp. so much depends upon what happens w/ flash and the teams thoughts (and the cost) of BMo. i think it they go all in on volchenkov, then maybe they have no choice (i.e. cap money) to get that 2C so they may resign BMo and give MP a shot at 2/3C.
to get a 10 he would have to be up for the full season and deliver consistent results. also improve he defensive game….
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
7
Expectations were to see him for a handful of games as an emergency replacement, and he earned more than that through his initial burst of energy that he provided in those first few games. Good skill set, great energy, good skater. He clearly needs to work on strength, but he’s also young. We get spoiled when we see the Towes, Backstroms, Ovi’s, etc of the world, and have to remember that more normal players generally take time to fully develop.
I think MP is well on his way to becoming a key member of this team, even if it’s not with the big club for the entire season.
8
Wasn’t expecting him up here for ‘09-10, let alone the impact he had on his first stay. I wonder if he knew that his first trip up was to impress (which he did), while his second shot was just a temporary stay? That may have played into his not-so-thrilling results. Either way, he did impress me enough to bump up his score. For a 10, he’d need to show more consistant results. I agree with many of you that off-season conditioning would help.
As far as next year, I can see him in the Caps line up, but as 3C rather than 2C, where the Caps should make a move to pickup instead. Having Fehr as the big body and Chimmy as his fast running-mate could really get that line going. I’d also like to see him on the 2nd unit power play, where he really seems to do well.
"It hit me on the pants. I had protection. It felt good. Why? I wanted to win."
8
with his size…i had zero expectations on this kid this season although i liked him at the dev camp.
brought a lot of energy and was productive at first…then sorta cooled…still WAY WAY WAY above expectations…brought a lot of energy and hustle…like!
7
No expectation for him to play in the NHL at all last year and from everything I saw, he seemed to make something good happen offensively almost every time he was on the ice. He’s also damn fun to watch play.
When he was on he really wreaked havoc with other teams with his ability to win pucks from much larger opponents in the corners and was really slippery behind the net. He seemed equally comfortable in traffic or in open ice. He assisted on a Tyler Sloan goal against Marty Brodeur!
His defense needs to improve but you could probably say that about 85% of offensive prospects in the ahl, especially those who played in the Q.
The whole issue of size is interesting. MP has been a small player all of his jr and professional career and at every turn he has been told “you’re too small to play in the NHL. You cant do this.” He has been beating bigger players for a while now, yet he has battled through it and now finds himself in a position to make an NHL team in the fall and I wouldn’t bet against him….he is motivated to beat the odds and has already demonstrated that heart and skill can trump size.
A Solid 7
I was hedging on 8, but it’s tough to give an 8 to someone who played only 21 games. I agree with a lot of F&Bs assessment of the guy. I will say that unless he can crack the top 3 lines at center, he would be better off playing in Hershey one more year. There’s no need to rush him to the NHL. Having him play 7 minutes as a 4th line center in DC is not as valuable as 18 minutes as a regular in Hershey.
He will get his chance, no doubt.
A 10… make the team and stick the entire season in a top 3 center role, preferably on a second scoring line.
I also think one more year in Hershey would do him some good, but if he shows he is ready in training camp, then let’s get him in there and see what he’s got.
Washington Capitals 2009-10 = Quebec Nordiques 1994-95
--- D'ohboy
I was hedging on 8, but it’s tough to give an 8 to someone who played only 21 games.
It’s easy to give someone an 8 for playing 21 games if you only expected 10 games out of him.
"Don't mind WM...he's an all-around jerk."
I don’t know. For all the guys who don’t make the team, I don’t expect any NHL games, but to get a high number they would have to stick longer than 1/4 of the season. Either way, 2009-10 was definitely a success for MP.
Washington Capitals 2009-10 = Quebec Nordiques 1994-95
--- D'ohboy
by MikeL-Pivonka on Jun 2, 2010 9:40 AM EDT up reply actions
I was hedging on 8, but it’s tough to give an 8 to someone who played only 21 games.
Funny, as a lot of people didn’t hesitate to give a ten to someone who’s played 29 games (and is a former first round pick, compared to MP’s sixth round drafting).
They're coming.
I didn’t give him a 10… I gave him a 9, only because he might have played more games in the NHL if it wasn’t an Olympic year (the Caps had to limit his NHL games so he could play in Hershey during the Olympic break.)
Washington Capitals 2009-10 = Quebec Nordiques 1994-95
--- D'ohboy
by MikeL-Pivonka on Jun 2, 2010 9:41 AM EDT up reply actions
Didn’t say you gave him a 10, I’m saying that it’s funny that so few people are giving a sixth round pick the same score they gave a first rounder who only played a few more games.
They're coming.
by Bald Pollack on Jun 2, 2010 11:18 AM EDT up reply actions
6- lets not get too carried away
He did better than what an undersized AHL callup would be expected to do. He showed flashes of good offesnive instinct, but that was balanced by his mediocre defensive play. He scored a few points right off the bat, and looked energized, but did so against Florida and some other middlings. He faded very quick, and thats why he gets the 6.
The Way is riddled with deep, dark holes.
oh, and I dont see him as a viable option next year. Its a key position and this teams focus should be on preparing for the playoffs. He’s a just a call away, he can fill in and get a shot during injury callup, but the center needs to be a straight, strong spine down the middle of the team, and not the bent, crooked one we have now. To get a 10 next year he’d have to steal the show and star in the 2nd Coming of Matt Perrault.
The Way is riddled with deep, dark holes.
by The Jade Donkey on Jun 1, 2010 5:17 PM EDT up reply actions
8
i only expected him to be called up as an emergency for 5-10 games. so his 21 games greatly exceeded my expectations for him. i also didnt expect him to generate that many chances in the games he played. i didnt think 2/3 of his points wouldve come in the 3rd period. yeah he is small, but he has demonstrated that his size doesnt matter as much as everyone thought it would. i also think he is pretty good in the corners. he has a lot of potential, and if he really bulks up over the summer, then i could see him having a legit chance at being 3C.
rock the red!
Realistically, he gets a 7 or 8 from me, because he’s still young and improving. But I just frakking love the guy, so I gave him a 10.
The entire British Empire was built on cups of tea, and if you think I'm going to war without one, you're mistaken.
Ramblin' on.
8
What expectations? Although he did rock at development camp I didn’t expected 9 points in 21 NHL games, which explains why I gave him an 8. It seems clear that he needs time to develop his two way game and consistency. I really like his skill set though and his close in scoring style which this club obviously needs given what we saw against Montreal.
He probably won’t be ready for a full-time NHL gig in 2010-11. He’s only 22 and if you look at his two best comparables (Marty St. Louis and Danny Briere) you notice that neither of those guys were able to stick in the NHL until they were 24-25
I like this comparison and its definitely what MP should be aiming for.
The other poster who said he will only amount to a career Journeyman is being a little premature. Give him a few more years before you come to that conclusion!
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