Dayton Musicmen Player Grades after 25 games...

Thirty percent of the 82 game CCHL regular season has passed and it's a good time to see how the boys are performing. We'll use a traditional grading scale with A being the best and F being the worst grades available. In the case of a player being traded to Dayton, a grade will be assigned. In the case of a player being traded from the Musicmen, no grade will be awarded. 


FORWARDS: 


Jay Beagle: GP-25, 6/7-13 pts. - A strong season for the veteran 3rd line/PK specialist. One of three Musicmen with a good +11 rating helps Dayton's stingy defense keep them in most games.  GRADE: (A)

Pierre-Edouard Bellemare: GP-23, 1/3-5 pts., - Another 4th liner who brings defense first to his game. Good mentor for McCann and on of the team's best checking forwards. GRADE: (C)

Blake Comeau: GP-25, 7/5-12 pts. - Comeau's value doesn't come offense, but rather his stellar defense as witnessed by his league 6th best +11 plus/minus rating. Veteran leadership and responsible play is and has been his calling card for a long time. GRADE: (A)

Evgeni Dadonov: GP-25, 2/11-13 pts. - Another disappointment in the goal scoring department with just 2 tallies so far. In the NHL, Dadonov posted a 14.4% shooting percent last year yet is limping along at just 3.92% - another candidate for a goal scoring breakout before too long. GRADE: (C)

Ryan Dzingel: GP-25, 10/9-19 pts. - Dzingel has played on each of the top three lines and done well regardless of where he's asked to play. GRADE: (A)

Rocco Grimaldi: GP-0, 0 pts. - GRADE: (Incomplete)

Taylor Hall: GP-21, 9/8-17 pts. Coming off an injury-riddled NHL season, the team has limited Hall's ice time in an effort to keep him healthy. GRADE: (B)

Evgeny Kuznetsov: 25 GP, 2/15-17 pts. - Holding down the pivot on the team's 2nd line, Kuznetsov has put up 17 pts. but just 2 goals on the year, more is needed. His shooting percentage of 2.99% compared to his NHL number of 10.9% suggests an adjustment may be coming soon. GRADE: (B)

Evgeni Malkin: 21 GP, 8/11-19 pts. - Since arriving in Dayton several weeks ago, Malkin has taken over the top line center slot and performed very well. On pace for 30 or more goals and a 70+ point season. GRADE: (A)

Jared McCann: GP-24, 2/2-4 pts. - Reduced to the 4th line, McCann is developing and will likely graduate to duty on the team's 3rd line. Solid checking forward. GRADE: (C)

Daniel Sprong:  GP-13, 0 pts. - Sprong  - despite great talent - hasn't really got a chance to show what he can do in the lineup. 13 games played but just 3-4 shifts and just 3 minutes of ice per game won't give him the opportunity he needs. Using Batherson instead of Sprong shows Corfield's confidence level. GRADE: (Incomplete)

Drake Batherson: GP-5, 1 pt. - 5 games isn't much to grade anybody but Batherson has been averaging 16 minutes per game and skating in a top 6 role. We're expecting a bit more from the rookie. GRADE: (Incomplete)

Juho Lammikko: GP-2, 0 pts. - GRADE: (Incomplete)

Up next - defense and goaltenders...