In Spezza's interview last game, he praised K a couple times, specifically his offense, including his acumen on the PP. I took that as Coach's speak for he needs to work on the defensive side of his game. Also, it remains to be seen if his skating will be sufficient at the NHL level.
At least there’s one guy in the org talking about something other than playing the “right” way. Everyone else wants every player to be grinding bitches.
I would say he’s the anti-Sprong. He’s pretty responsible.
Get him a summer with Andy O'Brien or Gary Roberts. Now that he's in NA and has some clout around him, I think getting access to the S&C programs needed to take that next step gets a lot easier. I don't know what's available to a 18-19yo in Finland but it's probably not as good as NA.
I’m sure they have a specific plan for him.
Absolutely need to prioritize centers the next couple of drafts if all things are close or equal in value. 100%, you win down the middle!
This draft we get our Whitney
There will be a couple chances. But the Rangers pick - if we get it this year - will be in the Groats/Yager draft range rather than top 5 range, so we may only get that calibre a prospect.
I don't know if I'd ever have used the term "solid" for Whitney. He was a top 4 d...but exceptionally flawed defensively top 4 d. He made Karlsson look like Slavin.
Well, they can always be used as assets to trade for what we need like Whits was, so I can get down with that.
I think you would be surprised in the difference between some training programs. When you go to AOB or GR, you're more or less going to fitness bootcamp. Other programs you might meet a trainer at the gym or work through a program that's been built for you. Go back and read about Pouliot circa 16/17-ish. He said he was always slightly chubby, but when it was coming down to "you either take the next step or your NHL career is in question," he spent the summer with Gary Roberts and walked into training camp with a 6 pack and was one of the best-conditioned players in camp. If your issue is speed and acceleration, that is definitely something that can be improved with the right programs in the offseason.
There's also plenty of good NHL players that are producing well that didn't produce so great in the AHL. Rust was hardly a major AHL producer. Rakell was meh as well. The key here is being reasonable with expectations, especially when he is young. If he comes in next year and plays 82, I would hope for something around 30 points (15-15), not 60 points. Then with each year, expect a little more, especially as ice time and line up promotions increase.
I agree with your list, but not in that order. Murashov and McGroarty would be 1 and 1A with Murashov having the most upside. Most boom or bust.
