Roster review: #17 David Legwand

[dudacek]

Continuing the roster review with one of the summer's quieter acquisitions

 

 

 

#17 David Legwand C (one year left left at $3 million per, age 34)

Ottawa 80/9/18/27/1/32

 

Something that may be an eye-opener for those who have him pegged as nothing more than a salary dump: David Legwand would have finished fifth in scoring on the Sabres last year. Two years ago, his 51 points would have had him in first. He might be 34 and nearing the end, but he is still a former 2^nd-overall pick who has played more than 1,000 NHL games.

 

He played 14 years with Nashville Predators, most of them as a solid 2^nd-liner. He peaked at 27 goals and 63 points in 2007, but maintained about a 50-point full-season pace since then before falling off statistically last year.

 

 

Focusing on recent years, Legwand has shown he can take faceoffs, play a solid two-way game and contribute on special teams. Ottawa fans say he has lost a step and dropped down the lineup as the season progressed. He’s also said to be good in the room. Tim Murray indicated Ottawa insisted Legwand be part of the Lehner deal, but he has to have his fingers crossed he can be a positive influence on another pair of centres drafted 2^nd overall.

 

 

Links to the rest of the series:

Anders Lindback: http://forums.sabres...nders-lindback/

Pat Kaleta: http://forums.sabres...patrick-kaleta/

Johan Larsson: http://forums.sabres...-johan-larsson/

Matt Hackett: http://forums.sabres...1-matt-hackett/

Andrej Meszaros: http://forums.sabres...ndrej-meszaros/

Phil Varone, Zac Dalpe, Jerry D'Amigo: http://forums.sabres...e-dalpe-damigo/

Mikhail Grigorenko: http://forums.sabres...ail-grigorenko/

Tyson Strachan, Andre Benoit: http://forums.sabres...han-and-benoit/

Mark Pysyk: http://forums.sabres...w-3-mark-pysyk/

Tim Schaller: http://forums.sabres...9-tim-schaller/

Matt Ellis: http://forums.sabres...-37-matt-ellis/

Cody Hodgson: http://forums.sabres...9-cody-hodgson/

Tyler Ennis: http://forums.sabres...63-tyler-ennis/

Chad Johnson: http://forums.sabres...3-chad-johnson/

Nick Deslauriers: http://forums.sabres...ck-deslauriers/

Cody McCormick: http://forums.sabrespace.com/topic/23505-roster-review-8-cody-mccormick/

Rasmus Ristolainen: http://forums.sabrespace.com/topic/23511-roster-review-55-rasmus-ristolainen/

Josh Gorges: http://forums.sabrespace.com/topic/23515-roster-review-4-josh-gorges/

Matt Moulson: http://forums.sabrespace.com/topic/23526-roster-review-26-matt-moulson/

Marcus Foligno: http://forums.sabrespace.com/topic/23528-roster-review-82-marcus-foligno/

Zach Bogosian: http://forums.sabrespace.com/topic/23530-roster-review-47-zach-bogosian/

 

 

Edited July 29, 2015 by dudacek

[Sabres Fan in NS]

Who?

 

He must have arrived during my fast.

[deluca67]

I have zero expectations for Legwand. If he is forced into the lineup and contributes, OK. My focus is on the future of this franchise and the young players not on a 34 year old salary dump. 

Edited July 29, 2015 by DeLuca1967

[sicknfla]

Whatever role he plays he will be an upgrade to who he replaces. I would rather have a career NHL'er who lost a step in my bottom 6 than a career AHL'er who doesn't belong in the league. We have seen enough of that the last few years.

[Patty16]

Whatever role he plays he will be an upgrade to who he replaces. I would rather have a career NHL'er who lost a step in my bottom 6 than a career AHL'er who doesn't belong in the league. We have seen enough of that the last few years.

 

I was trying to put together my thoughts on Legwand but you nailed it. 

[woods-racer]

He is a great insurance policy for a team that needs depth and experience.  I going to assume that GMTM knows him as a person also and must feel his personality/leadership/work ethic will be on par with Gionta and Gorges.

[nfreeman]

It would be great to get some value out of him, but it sure feels like he's playing out the string.

[TrueBlueGED]

The guy had 27 points last year, so he's not dead. I don't think he should get an opportunity over Larsson on the 3rd line, but he should be able to contribute as a 4th liner and be another good veteran voice to have around the kids.

[Samson's Flow]

Well he was my choice in the revised Tom Webster contest, so here's hoping he still has a few useful years left in the tank and can put up some points on the third/fourth line.

[dudacek]

Whatever role he plays he will be an upgrade to who he replaces. I would rather have a career NHL'er who lost a step in my bottom 6 than a career AHL'er who doesn't belong in the league. We have seen enough of that the last few years.

 

Very well put.

I guess this is what depth looks like.

[qwksndmonster]

The guy had 27 points last year, so he's not dead. I don't think he should get an opportunity over Larsson on the 3rd line, but he should be able to contribute as a 4th liner and be another good veteran voice to have around the kids.

This is what I'm expecting out of him, but only for ~40 games.

[Huckleberry]

This is what I'm expecting out of him, but only for ~40 games.

 

Yeah i expect him to be gone by the trade deadline, unless we are doing surprisingly well :p

[Taro T]

The guy had 27 points last year, so he's not dead. I don't think he should get an opportunity over Larsson on the 3rd line, but he should be able to contribute as a 4th liner and be another good veteran voice to have around the kids.

Agreed. His addition doesn't hurt and allows the team to have 2 vet centers all year (minus ths handful of games both Legwand and Cody Mac are both broken; also assumes ROR doesn't face any suspension).

 

FAR better C situation than what they were in prior to the draft day trades. Girgs / Larsson being THE vet to supplant Cody did not instill warm fuzzies. ;) (2 years ftom now, it would. This year, not so much.)

[IKnowPhysics]

Looking at his player usage, he's consistently been tasked with playing defensive minutes.  He's responsible.  His quality of teammates dropped substantially from NSH to DET to OTT, resulting in an expected drop in point production, but his quality of competition also dropped, which is a little alarming.  He'll still play well defensively, but without good line mates, he could struggle to contribute depth scoring.  He tops out at 45 points, but on this squad, it's difficult to see him posting more than 35 points as a bottom-six defensive forward.

[Huckleberry]

I actually expect alot from Legwand this year, 37 years old and wants a shot at the stanley cup.

[JohnnyK]

I think he will do well as a stop-gap to start the season (if he makes the team) and be phased out as the year goes on.  He could be a solid veteran in the locker room and help the young kids! (which they are)

Sorry about the line through everything!!!!

Go Sabres!!!

[Marvelo]

After 15 years with Nashville, (top year 2006-7: 27G, 36A, 44 PIM) he got traded to the Wings for the playoff stretch. He left Nashville holding records as the leader in all offensive career categories. That offseason, he got traded to the Sens, to help with leadership (ahem). Again, he was there for one year (9G, 18A, 32PIM) and got traded to the Sabres. If he remains healthy, I can see 15-20G/A for 40 pts. 

Edited August 11, 2015 by 716