Centers -
Tage Thompson – Grade: A; Has built on last year in many ways with some dominant performances thus far this season. Mario-esque in how he does things offensively, it's still amazing how far he's come.
Dylan Cozens – Grade: A-; A nearly point per game center who has excellent transition and entry ability who is still growing at only 21. Consistency is the only missing piece and when he gets that, watch out.
Tyson Jost – Grade: B; Surprisingly useful as a waiver pickup and one of the only players who takes the puck and himself to the net; has had a major impact on the Mittelstadt-Vic duo.
Peyton Krebs – Grade: B-; Settled in as a solid contributor to their energy line over the last 6 weeks; one of the few forwards who seems to spark them into involvement/draw them into the fray.
RW -
Alex Tuch – Grade: A; Still the straw that stirs the top line’s drink; plays fast, plays large, and plays the whole length of the rink
JJ Peterka – Grade: C+; Fast and at times involved, still working out how to succeed at the NHL level; when he’s on and attacking with speed with Quinn, it brings a dynamic to the team they don’t have anywhere else
Kyle Okposo – Grade: C+; Consistent effort and they get exactly the same thing out of him and Girgensons game after game – grinding below the goal line.
Victor Olofsson – Grade: C-; the return of his issues at 5-on-5 up until the last week of the season has been a step back overall; can provide additional scoring off the wing but they need to get what they’ve had the last 5-ish games down the stretch
Vinnie Hinostroza – Grade: D; Has not built on and badly regressed from last season; does not take space when a lane to the net is offered, peels off from going into traffic, and does not have the shot to score from the range where he disengages from the rush
LW -
Jeff Skinner – Grade: B; has had a heater around Thanksgiving, has his usual chaos at both ends of the rink, still creates goals, still gives up chances against…
Jack Quinn – Grade: C; Every time he looks like he’s going to start improving, it’s as though he reads his own press clippings; has struggled to make the right decisions often – passes when he should shoot especially
Zemgus Girgensons – Grade: C+; the usual Gus – suppress the shots, play below the goal line, grind.
Casey Mittelstadt – Grade: C+; having moved to wing, is having some success generating chances with his linemates; oft-crapped on by Sabre Twitter but is it really warranted?
Rasmus Asplund – Grade: D; second only to Hino in how his game has fallen apart from last year to this IMO
Tage Thompson – Grade: A; Has built on last year in many ways with some dominant performances thus far this season. Mario-esque in how he does things offensively, it's still amazing how far he's come.
Dylan Cozens – Grade: A-; A nearly point per game center who has excellent transition and entry ability who is still growing at only 21. Consistency is the only missing piece and when he gets that, watch out.
Tyson Jost – Grade: B; Surprisingly useful as a waiver pickup and one of the only players who takes the puck and himself to the net; has had a major impact on the Mittelstadt-Vic duo.
Peyton Krebs – Grade: B-; Settled in as a solid contributor to their energy line over the last 6 weeks; one of the few forwards who seems to spark them into involvement/draw them into the fray.
RW -
Alex Tuch – Grade: A; Still the straw that stirs the top line’s drink; plays fast, plays large, and plays the whole length of the rink
JJ Peterka – Grade: C+; Fast and at times involved, still working out how to succeed at the NHL level; when he’s on and attacking with speed with Quinn, it brings a dynamic to the team they don’t have anywhere else
Kyle Okposo – Grade: C+; Consistent effort and they get exactly the same thing out of him and Girgensons game after game – grinding below the goal line.
Victor Olofsson – Grade: C-; the return of his issues at 5-on-5 up until the last week of the season has been a step back overall; can provide additional scoring off the wing but they need to get what they’ve had the last 5-ish games down the stretch
Vinnie Hinostroza – Grade: D; Has not built on and badly regressed from last season; does not take space when a lane to the net is offered, peels off from going into traffic, and does not have the shot to score from the range where he disengages from the rush
LW -
Jeff Skinner – Grade: B; has had a heater around Thanksgiving, has his usual chaos at both ends of the rink, still creates goals, still gives up chances against…
Jack Quinn – Grade: C; Every time he looks like he’s going to start improving, it’s as though he reads his own press clippings; has struggled to make the right decisions often – passes when he should shoot especially
Zemgus Girgensons – Grade: C+; the usual Gus – suppress the shots, play below the goal line, grind.
Casey Mittelstadt – Grade: C+; having moved to wing, is having some success generating chances with his linemates; oft-crapped on by Sabre Twitter but is it really warranted?
Rasmus Asplund – Grade: D; second only to Hino in how his game has fallen apart from last year to this IMO