Boo's a great guy and very easy to root for, but to me it's clear that unless he carves out a niche for himself as a 4th liner... he's not going to make it in the league. I don't see the hockey sense there, this is a guy who has passed on wide open nets into defenders feet more than once.
The big question is, is he afraid of contact? Those concussions can scare a guy, and Boo's had his share of brain injuries.
I absolutely agree with what you put down. But I just don't see it happening.
I concur in part with your comments.
Concussions, etc. -- yes, this is a significant unknown risk factor. And while we think he appears ok/good atm, and presumably team does also or they would not have cleared him.
And yes, don't have to be a doctor to know that having already had one/multiple concussions, etc sets up increased likelihood of relapse or you get one that takes you out permanently.
Those are legit factors already established running in the background.
We can't change them we can only hope for the best and proceed accordingly.
Whether Boo graduates to top shelf, is a 4th liner, anywhere in between, or craps out entirely, the injury factor/risk is already what it is and has no further consideration unless/until/if there is further injury.
As to subsequent ?, also valid, is he afraid of contact?
Watching from what TV gives and not seeing first hand at a game live and able to focus on him exclusively, I cannot speak more authoritatively, nor do I claim to be in his mind. That said, I am not seeing him shy away from contact. I think he is turning on speed when in the clear, but being careful both to not get caught or abandon defensive assignment. I think he is trying to think his way into situations, not responding purely instinctively but not overthinking things either. In short I think he is trying to acclimate. This is a gradual process and it is early but as to early returns it is so good so far.
Thus, if his bell gets rung big time the wrong way, he may go buh-bye, but at this point, it looks like there is more reason to be optimistic.
Now, as to"
"...unless he carves out a niche for himself as a 4th liner... he's not going to make it in the league. I don't see the hockey sense there..."
This is not an entirely unfounded or unwarranted perspective, however I ask you to recognize Boo is a work in progress and while you may indeed be right, I don't see it profitable to jump to that conclusion.
I would also ask you to recognize that general hockey sense overall yields to individual instances of chemistry.
Chemistry wise, Boo may only click to x degree with most on average, more with a few others, less with a different few. However, remember I am specifically saying the experiment requires a legit shot to work with Kreider, due to the speed etc., synergy factor.
It is entirely possible Nieves is 'ordinary' when comboed with most, but is a most useful, complementary cog coupled with Kreider. Notice I did not say Nieves would be extraordinary with Kreider. THAT is a reach pushing into an overreach at present.
I am not pushing Nieves into all star status, I am just saying on paper, he looks like a complementary fit, can't miss as to being productive with Kreider [how productive remains to be seen]. If they get the correct RW, that would be a further +.
Zib unfortunately likely needs to be moved so we avoid any issue with pending NMC which my only concern is as to upcoming expansion draft.
Hayes hopefully does a chapman, goes away and returns
Assuming Kreider is 1LW, basis of what constitutes first line, if Boo can match as a stop gap/useful cog, it will push returning Hayes, Chytil, Howden down until one of the latter 2 or Kravtsov emerges as superior outright 1C choice.
All of this is good basis to conduct my experiment.
You may be right, but at this point I would gamble the chemistry w/Kreider [given adequate time to succeed] would overcome other scenarios w/less chemistry.
Thank you for the constructive comment.
