My assessment of the forwards this season. The letter grade reflects both what the are bringing to the team, as well as how well they are doing compared to how well I thought they would be doing at this point.

Connor Bleackley (C+) - His high level of skill is overshadowed by the complete lack of effort that he has put into his game since returning from the Avalanche. The fact that he has put up five points in his last eight games is nothing short of miraculous, given how much energy he expended to do it.

Brayden Burke (??) - Only got into one game before sustaining a long-term injury. Was hoping to see him put some pressure on a few of the underachieving veterans on the roster at the moment, but I guess that is on hold for a few months.

Cole Chorney (C-) - Has been a healthy scratch the last four games, and doesn't really seem to be helping or hindering the team, or really improving as a player. Unfortunately, like everyone, he is still aging...

Jeff de Witt (B-) - Watched his progress last season, and didn't think he had a great season. Was injured all of training camp and most of the pre-season, so I was a bit surprised when he made the team. He has had a few decent scoring chances, and even a goal despite limited playing time. He also hasn't made a lot of defensive mistakes. Should see his ice time increase more and more moving forward.

Devan Fafard (C-) - He is a better player as a forward than he ever was as a defenseman. Unfortunately, he was a below-average defenseman. The fact that he is still on the team as an overage player has to speak volumes of his character and off-ice qualities, as the team has ignored a few overage players that have been released by other teams, that have a considerably more diverse game, or would address the teams' weaknesses.

Scott Feser (C-) - He skates hard, not the hardest hitter, but finishes all of his checks. Only seems to be able to serve up weak, fluttery passes/clearing attempts that get constantly intercepted, and I am pretty sure that most goaltenders in the league could strip the puck off his stick, let alone the defensemen and forwards. Was really hoping for a LOT more from him this season.

Wyatt Johnson (B-) - Speedy skater, and is easily the best defensive forward on the team by a long shot. Doesn't generate as many scoring chances as he could with his speed, but seems to cash in on the ones that he does more often than not.

Presten Kopeck (B-) - Another speedy skater that navigates well through traffic, and goes hard to the front of the net. Has a decent shot and works well on the wall. However, he seriously neglects the backcheck at times, and is not strong defensively overall.

Brooks Maxwell (C-) - He is still as good of a penalty killer as he ever was, and cuts off passing lanes well, but has never taken his offensive game to the next level, and as an overage forward that has been seeing first and second line minutes for nearly three seasons, this just isn't acceptable.

Mason McCarty (C+) - Hasn't had a ton of ice time, and only been in half of the games in the first ten, but actually had a few breakaways and decent scoring chances. He seems to struggle on the wall against big defenders, and needs to get stronger.

Adam Musil (A) - He has had a great start, and has easily been the teams' best forward so far. Protects the puck well with his big frame, and has got a fantastic shot. He controls the play for long stretches in the offensive zone, and finishes his checks. If Bleackley keeps pissing away games, Musil could easily have twice as many points as him by the end of the season.

Meyer Nell (C+) - Hard worker, and has put up a couple of nice goals. Puts himself into scoring position well, and really skates hard, but like a few of the other forwards, has struggled to stay with his defensive assignment in his own zone so far.

Grayson Pawlenchuk (B+) - It is really shocking that he only has three points so far, as he hasn't taken a game off, always backchecks so hard, and has had so many glorious scoring chances. Needs to work on forcing the goaltender to work to make a save, rather than missing the net, or shooting the puck directly at his chest.

Evan Polei (C+) - Came to camp ten or twelve pounds lighter, and in fantastic shape compared to last season. He is a physical force when he is on his game, and creates havoc in front of the net. Has a lot of hockey sense, and picks off a lot of passes. He has had a couple of fights so far that were absolute beauties! On the negative side, he has also clearly taken a handful of games off in the first ten, and needs to give a much more consistent effort.