Expectations for a new season

[youloser1337 1,124]

Intro:

 

Expectations for the next season are at an all time high for Justin Lose. Not only is this a contract year, but with a crowded core this could make or break his spot in the future. There are rumors that he will be placed on the first line after his hard work over the offseason. This will be his ultimate test this season. Also for the Riga Reign, this could be their big breakout season with a surprise trip to the playoffs last season.

 

Expectations:

 

Let’s start with the expectations for Justin Lose. If he wants to keep his first line status, he will need to keep pace with the other first liners. Of course with training camp ending today anything can happen with the lineup. We won’t know the lines until game day. The bare minimum expectations that we are setting for Lose is to beat his goal / point total from last season. 

 

Last season he posted 23 goals and 41 assists for 64 points and a -11. Those numbers weren’t as bad for a rookie campaign. He finished in the top 5 of rookie scoring and came back during the second half of the season. To prove that he is a first liner he should have more than that. With his contract ending and if he wants a big payday he will have to surpass those numbers. 

 

Some realistic expectations would be 30 goals and 50 assists for 80 points. Of course the best outcome would be a positive +/- rating. This would be a very solid showing for Lose. Not the top player in the league numbers, but something to make the league take him seriously.

 

Exceeding expectations would be 50 goals and 60 assists for 110 points and a solid +/-. This is obviously a stretch goal for Lose and not entirely realistic. This would cement him as one of the top players in the league though. This would tie the Riga’s GM in a tough bind if he puts up these numbers. He would have to lock Lose down to not lose him to free agency. Lose has stated that he would love to bring the cup to Riga.

 

Team / Playoffs:

 

This team now has a great mix of rookie / sophomores and veterans to make a big splash during the season. Personally I don’t see how they miss the playoffs this season. With a season of experience they seem to only get better. The big question is if they make it out of play-ins or make it to the big dance. After losing in the play-in 3-1, you can count on Riga to put up more of a fight if they make it back.

 

Conclusion:

 

Those are some of the expectations for Lose this season and even some for the team itself. Will this be the breakout season that he promised last season during his rookie campaign that never happened? With the season starting soon only time will tell. Will Lose even stay on the first line during the season this time?

[Greg_Di 1,030]

Good article describing Justin's expectations in a contract year. Good details about the player, the team and playoff hopes. The article is paced well. The only thing I would add to make this article better is some sort of picture. It always helps liven up an article and gets the reader more engaged.

8/10