Cholowski's Ceiling

[KJoe88]

I believe Cholowski can be a #1 because he has all the tools to be just that. It’s why some defenseman are drafted. In hopes of said player reaching that potential.

But Cholowski has shown he’s capable of it. Execellent skater. Silky. Gets shots through pretty well. Etc. He has A LOT going for him. Easily the best defenseman we’ve had in the preseason.

His defensive game will improve. His gapping will improve too.

I’m shocked some don’t see it. Is he still a project? Mhm. But so far the project is a B+ with the potential to be an A+

 

[FMichael]

I believe Cholowski can be a #1 because he has all the tools to be just that. It’s why some defenseman are drafted. In hopes of said player reaching that potential.

But Cholowski has shown he’s capable of it. Execellent skater. Silky. Gets shots through pretty well. Etc. He has A LOT going for him. Easily the best defenseman we’ve had in the preseason.

His defensive game will improve. His gapping will improve too.

I’m shocked some don’t see it. Is he still a project? Mhm. But so far the project is a B+ with the potential to be an A+

I haven't seen many pre-season games due to the fact that many get blacked out where I live, but from what little I've seen - Cholowski seems to have his head on a swivel, and is a pretty fluid skater/passer, and looks ready to play in Detroit this season.

And for what it's worth - am I the only one who feels Kronwall was pretty error prone against the Leafs Friday night?

 

[lomekian]

Search the thread to see who said that.

I am responding to those who said that. Is it fixating to respond? Like how you are fixating on me calling out ridiculous predictions based on some preseason games?

You said something- I responded directly. I didn't scattergun 'a lot of you guys' hyperbolically, when literally 2-3 people have said anything of the sort.

 

[lomekian]

Announcers are by definition hyperbolic. He "won" a job on a defense that is in shambles and it seems like an AIS move. There's no one who is saying he's a Norris caliber guy, or even many worth listening to saying he's a first pairing guy. And no one seems to be talking about his defense, they are cowed by him producing offense in the preseason. Its very unlikely to translate to the regular season, but his defensive gaffs are much more likely to be magnified in it.

Maybe, maybe not. Player adjustment, success and impact are not linear developments. We have seen this many many times with NHL defensemen. If we want to be more like those teams drafting and successfully developing D, we need to move on from the trauma of DRW's failed attempts to do so over the last decade. Many of our D that failed had better resumes and better first looks than quite a few of the modern D around the league that we are desperate for. Unless you are seeing someone with real regularity it's hard to make a judgement call unless a player is either a cert or a no-chance-er.

Personally, I think Cholo will be back in the AHL very soon, simply because it would be better for him to have at least half a season at that level than getting bottom pair minutes in the NHL. Next season we will definitely have full time holes to fill, so much of this yesr's oppprunities will be auditions.

I guess it may also depend on if Sulak has a contract clause that allows him to go back to Europe if he doesn't make the big club

 

[RedWingzz]

Looks to me like he *could* become a 40 point, PP specialist. The vision is there, the speed is there. Who knows though...is he another Kindl/Smith, or will he maximize his potential? Regardless, I am excited about him. He has exceeded my expectations so far.

 

[jkutswings]

Are we really fighting about the Wings bringing up a talented kid - at a position of need - too EARLY?

Like, a recent draft pick has made incredible strides in the last two years, shown plenty of talent all the way through an NHL preseason, has only turnstiles and Swiss cheese for established NHL competition on the roster...and it's a BAD thing if he starts the season with Detroit?

If he was looking completely lost at both ends of the rink, then absolutely put him in Grand Rapids. But with what he's shown, letting him at least play the first 3-5 games while others are injured seems like a gimme of a layup on a silver platter.

 

[vladdy16]

He's played better in his last few games, than Kindl or Smith(or Kuznetzov or Wallin) have ever. I don't see there being a debate there.

There are plateaus or injuries or any number of things that can derail a career, but it seems pretty clear by now that he's an exceptional player. I feel like there's a weird bias against his game here, based on how striking his offense is/has been.

He's not an unbalanced player, and I rate his defensive awareness higher than his offensive talents. His offensive ceiling is the only thing that might hold him back imo, and he's off to a quick start eliminating that worry.

 

[sully6one]

It’s like politics, the opposite party is always wrong regardless of what they do. Same situation here, our kids aren’t ready, but if we sign veterans we attack Holland for not letting the kids play.

 

[jkutswings]

It’s like politics, the opposite party is always wrong regardless of what they do. Same situation here, our kids aren’t ready, but if we sign veterans we attack Holland for not letting the kids play.

If I was marooned on a deserted island with a lawyer, a politician, and Ken Holland, and I found a way to safety, but could only take 2 people with me...I would take the lawyer and the politician.

And I'd still start Cholowski with the big club, for at least a week or two.

No matter how much I want changes in the front office, talent is talent, and DC has shown enough to learn in the NHL a little longer.

 

[SCD]

No matter how much I want changes in the front office, talent is talent, and DC has shown enough to learn in the NHL a little longer.

We all are very aware that you want something you have no control over and it sucks for you.

But, do you have to inject the same rant in every thread?

 

[Winger98]

Good to see Cholo getting an extended look. Hopefully it helps move Green down the lineup.

If I was marooned on a deserted island with a lawyer, a politician, and Ken Holland, and I found a way to safety, but could only take 2 people with me...I would take the lawyer and the politician.

And I'd still start Cholowski with the big club, for at least a week or two.

No matter how much I want changes in the front office, talent is talent, and DC has shown enough to learn in the NHL a little longer.

need to make the raft out of something.

 

[lilidk]

If this year is Kroner final year we better pair him with young talent, so he can learn. I believe its more important than thinking about if young man ready or not

 

[jkutswings]

We all are very aware that you want something you have no control over and it sucks for you.

But, do you have to inject the same rant in every thread?

I responded to a post claiming that people were hating on Cholo just because they're anti-management, and no moves that Holland and Company make would get their approval. My point is that somebody can be an ardent Holland hater, and still support a player he drafted, if said player is showing reason for support.

 

[masta8]

Very glad Cholo made the opening night roster. I thought it was the most consistent young D all preseason. Very entertaining to watch, hoping he continues to impress!

 

[Blueliner70]

Here's a little something I wrote: Power Play helps fingerprint Detroit Red Wings Roster Decisions

 

[SCD]

Pronman: NHL rookie ranking at the opening of the season

15) Dennis Cholowski, D, Detroit

"Cholowski’s done nothing but impress throughout the second half of last season through the entire Wings camp, and he’s turned a skeptic in me into somewhat of a believer. He’s always shown he’s a great skater but his offensive game for me looks like he’s taken it to the next level, in terms of the confidence and skill he shows moving the puck. He could put up points right away and push the play forward."

 

[Hadoop]

Hoping he learns a lot this season and doesn't get discouraged, because any mistakes, small or large, will be punished by the more seasoned forwards he'll be up against (especially playing on the top D pairing).

 

[Leronziia]

Cholowski has an uncanny ability to gain possession of the puck, weave around oncoming forecheckers with his head up and subsequently make a tape to tape pass.

Underrated skill in the NHL where most of our defenders lack the skill/composure and resort to the dump off the glass.

Cholowski will be very, very good.

 

[jkutswings]

Clearly his ceiling is to score 82 highlight reel goals per year.

 

[TheMule93]

Hopefully that one giveaway he had that led go a goal doesn't discourage Han Cholo from being aggressive. It was a good idea he just needs to get rid of the puck a bit sooner even if he's not in position to get good wood on puck.

That's what I like to see from our dmen, activation in the ozone and being aggressive in general.

I think the main problem with that play was that a penalty was expiring which meant that CBJs guy in the box got out and was behind our defense leading to the odd man rush

 

[SirloinUB]

He has poise with the puck that we haven't seen in a prospect since Kronwall

 

[Pavels Dog]

It's a good sign when every time Cholo touches the puck I feel calm. Nearly all the time he makes a good play and his passes are SUBLIME. Big difference from our other D who keep passing the puck into skates.

 

[SCD]

It's a good sign when every time Cholo touches the puck I feel calm. Nearly all the time he makes a good play and his passes are SUBLIME. Big difference from our other D who keep passing the puck into skates.

Or only dump it up the wall.

 

[PelagicJoe]

I saw that he scored our first goal of the season when Inlooked at the stats. How did he look ?

 

[OldnotDeadWings]

It's a good sign when every time Cholo touches the puck I feel calm. Nearly all the time he makes a good play and his passes are SUBLIME. Big difference from our other D who keep passing the puck into skates.

Felt the same way. The poise and passing ability really stand out for Cholo. It was a rare treat to watch a Wings D-man make so many good plays on his backhand, whether he was under pressure at top speed on retrievals or spinning away from pressure at the point. He made some tough plays look routine and overall I thought it was an outstanding debut.