2013 Islanders Prospect Poll #5

[luki here]

However I agree to a point that Donovan, de Haan, Hickey are clearly a grouping. Its a matter of preference as to who you would take 1st 2nd or 3rd but none should be significantly above or below the other 2. Looks like Hickey is going to finish far below the other two as many others are getting added before him.

Donovan looked very confident and poised last year. I expect him to have a breakout season. Sometimes players can play exceptional hockey in their rookie year, time will tell.

 

[Mikkel]

Again: Donovan, add Hickey

 

[IslesRock4]

I know you secretly hate Hickey.

I personally don't consider him a prospect anymore. He still has upside, but I look at him like another Hillen type. Ultimately, he's a decent stop gap while Reinhart, Pulock, Mayfield, Pokka, and Pedan continue to develop. Donovan and CDH should be challenging him for minutes next season too.

It's not a secret, I'm no Hickey fan. I'm sure he's a great guy and I respect his dedication to the sport and how he simplified his game in order to make the NHL (although you could argue that the Islanders gave him a chance more so than he "made" the NHL). But his style of game is easily matched and improved upon by someone that's a couple inches taller. Unfortunate for him, but that's the way it works in the NHL. I would much rather see a healthy CdH in there than Hickey, as they bring a lot of the same things to the table and it's not like Hickey has offense that makes us want him in the lineup.

The Jack Hillen comparison is apt. Hope no one kills me, but I don't see he or Hickey having long NHL careers, at least not on marginally successful teams.

The problem with him being considered a prospect in this poll is that not many Islander fans view him as a long term player on this team. I think wherever he ends up in our rankings with be unfair to him, but you can't blame anyone on here.

 

[blinkman360]

It's not a secret, I'm no Hickey fan. I'm sure he's a great guy and I respect his dedication to the sport and how he simplified his game in order to make the NHL (although you could argue that the Islanders gave him a chance more so than he "made" the NHL). But his style of game is easily matched and improved upon by someone that's a couple inches taller. Unfortunate for him, but that's the way it works in the NHL. I would much rather see a healthy CdH in there than Hickey, as they bring a lot of the same things to the table and it's not like Hickey has offense that makes us want him in the lineup.

The Jack Hillen comparison is apt. Hope no one kills me, but I don't see he or Hickey having long NHL careers, at least not on marginally successful teams.

The problem with him being considered a prospect in this poll is that not many Islander fans view him as a long term player on this team. I think wherever he ends up in our rankings with be unfair to him, but you can't blame anyone on here.

I agree with it all.

 

[And You Feel Shame]

Voted Donovan.
Add Cody Rosen.

 

[bluechipbonzo]

Yes sir. +1

I'm printing and framing this.

 

[redbull]

Based on that logic then Hickey should be our #1 prospect even over Strome.

If you want to base your votes on what a prospect has already proved and playing time in the NHL, that is your right. Personally I'm voting on how I think a prospect will top out as a player assuming he reaches his potential.

Based on what I've seen from Hickey so far he could be a bottom pairing defenseman on a Cup caliber team, but even that isn't proven yet. Either way I see Donovan, Pulock, Reinhart, & CDH (and maybe even a few othe D prospects) all being higher up on the defensive totem pole assuming they can reach their potential. And that is why I'm voting all of them over Hickey despite none of them playing in the NHL yet.

I understand your point. But here's the distinction as I see it. Based on Strome's draft position, his junior scoring stats at a given age, it feels easier to project his offensive upside and eventual impact if he nears his max upside. This is relatively easier to do for high scoring forwards rather than goalies or defenseman that are much more difficult to project.

But look at how Nino's projected upside dropped after scoring 1 goal in 55 games. How quickly Lee went from that next big power forward to "he needs time". Seems like we expect the next Jeff Skinner and Erik Karlsson before guys play a game, yet, if they aren't superb the first season they suddenly aren't prospects anymore or are limited to a bottom pairing defenseman.

Many in this board questioned Tavares in his rookie season. The same who declared him a saviour before he was drafted.

Hickey, Donovan and deHaan are identical defenseman all one year apart. If they were being ranked as prospects a year ago, assuming Hickey was drafted by the NYI 4th overall, the he lost certainly would have ranked ahead of both deHaan and Donovan.

4th overall, 2 gold medals, all-star AHL, seasoned and ready to step in - would there be any doubt he is a top prospect? Let alone one compared to Donovan and deHaan who were drafted much later.

Would Corey Trivino had been rated ahead of Cizikas? Probably.

I know you are a pretty level-headed poster and I understand your point about Strome and max upside and likelihood of reaching max upside and potential impact at that level. And I agree with that. But it's surprising, especially on the three dmen that are almost identical players (size, style, projected upside) yet are treated so differently by the fan base.

 

[Chapin Landvogt]

Add Hickey

 

[InformTheMasses]

Mods, Please close poll. New one being added within the hour.

As always, thanks in advance.