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On Peter, does anyone else notice that his game is becoming more, I don't know, JT Miller? Doesn't have the same snarl or (periodic) explosiveness, and has better defensive awareness (and defensive-give-a-shit), but the point is that, strangely, there's a power forward aspect creeping into his game.

I had goals for Peter based on the early games -- take the puck to the opposition more (quicker play), try more crazy stuff, keep the feet moving (when team has possession), and shoot. In the first two categories, I think we are seeing significant improvement. In the latter two categories, there is some improvement, but he still is letting the perfect be the enemy of the good too much.

But I like the trend. I was skeptical of Peter trying to be tougher and stronger because I worried it was not going to help in those latter two categories (especially if the strength wasn't Sedinly concentrated in the legs). But he's using the strength to good measure, he's winning more one on one battles that depend on strength, and he seems hard to play against. Peter is trying to come out of this with a new model -- Peter 2.0, reinvented as an elite two way center with some power forward tools to add to the sniping and dangle. Don't get me wrong, he's no Sasha Barkov yet, but if he can complete the cycle, he might just earn that paycheck.

UWSaint wrote: ↑Mon Dec 01, 2025 8:45 am Don't get me wrong, he's no Sasha Barkov yet.....

I've noticed Petey is more physically engaged and assertive than before - and not just with the odd reverse-hit either.

I suspect this has Foote's fingerprints from the summer all over it. I suspect Foote may have told Petey what he expects from him in terms of style of play. If that's the case, we may see the result of Foote trying to get Petey to evolve his game the same way Stevie Y had to evolve - albeit at a younger age than when Stevie did it. Less flash/more defence, less risky/more responsible. Maybe it's a matter of building up the rest of Petey's game to give him a floor of confidence which helps him get get back to acting off his offensive instincts again. It could also be a matter of tailoring his game to the fact he may have sustained injuries in the past (wrist/knee) which have left him unable to totally play the way he used to.

Who knows? Would love to see Alien Petey again, and if this new style helps him get there so be it.

UWSaint wrote: ↑Mon Dec 01, 2025 8:45 am Don't get me wrong, he's no Sasha Barkov yet, but if he can complete the cycle, he might just earn that paycheck.

If he had 2 more goals and 4 more points on the year, I would say that he is earning that paycheque.....a 1.0 PPG player that does what he does in the defensive zone is, perhaps, a stretch to be paid $11.6M this year (and perhaps next), but by 2027-28 that AAV would be a win for any team if the player is scoring 35G/82PTs while shutting down the opponent and being a key factor on the PK.

Think Anze Kopitar.....but actually putting up more points.

He pocketed $14.5 million last season and set to do the same this season.

If he were getting $7-$8 million a season would he be earning his keep as an elite turd line centre?

Ohhhhhhh, he blocked another shot.....

Came to camp 25lbs heavier proving it was a shotgun wedding and promptly aborted the season.

...ask and ye shall receive.

Topper wrote: ↑Mon Dec 01, 2025 1:29 pm He pocketed $14.5 million last season and set to do the same this season.

Meh, as a fan I don't care how much they pocket, I just care about the AAV on the salary cap.

I've been one of the more (if not most) Anti-Petey people round these parts, and even I'll admit that he's stepped in the right direction this year compared to the past season and change. I see the warts still, but have to recognize what's there when it's there.

He needs to maintain this now and continue the upwards trajectory.

donlever wrote: ↑Mon Dec 01, 2025 1:48 pm ...ask and ye shall receive.

It has been lacking round here.

Disagree....i believe the conversation has taken a major and more cerebral upturn.

Topper as a more permanent resident would add greatly to that I do agree.....

donlever wrote: ↑Mon Dec 01, 2025 2:15 pm Disagree....i believe the conversation has taken a major and more cerebral upturn.

Topper as a more permanent resident would add greatly to that I do agree.....

Maybe you misunderstood what I meant, or I misunderstood what you meant.

I meant your second comment here and presumed that was what you meant by "ask and you shall receive".

Maybe indeed....

The ambiguity is deafening.

Conceivably certainly....

Topper wrote: ↑Mon Dec 01, 2025 1:29 pm He pocketed $14.5 million last season and set to do the same this season.

If he were getting $7-$8 million a season would he be earning his keep as an elite turd line centre?

Ohhhhhhh, he blocked another shot.....

Came to camp 25lbs heavier proving it was a shotgun wedding and promptly aborted the season.

He's manning the switch,

the switch for which,

will quiet the bitch!

Mëds wrote: ↑Mon Dec 01, 2025 2:05 pm

Topper wrote: ↑Mon Dec 01, 2025 1:29 pm He pocketed $14.5 million last season and set to do the same this season.

Meh, as a fan I don't care how much they pocket, I just care about the AAV on the salary cap.

I've been one of the more (if not most) Anti-Petey people round these parts, and even I'll admit that he's stepped in the right direction this year compared to the past season and change. I see the warts still, but have to recognize what's there when it's there.

He needs to maintain this now and continue the upwards trajectory.

I wonder whether this form of play raises the floor when things are going wrong. Are we seeing something similar to a pro golfer that decides to rebuild his swing? Or Neil Peart changing his grip on the drumsticks?