Since the team seems like it's suffering overall when it comes to any kind of offensive talent around Sale, do you think he's doing pretty well? I mean, PPG on a team that is barely scoring shit seems to be pretty good. I'm sure some of you guys have seen more, what are your current feelings?
I think his stats need to be taken in context. Yes, his PPG is sub-par for the OHL but he is still 2nd in points on his team. That team seems to be offensively starved.I'm not watching OHL, but just based on scoring comparisons over the years, PPG is really not good for an offensive player taken in the first round. Disappointing start for sure.
I thought Sale would torch the OHL and his potential problems would be more apparent in the pros. But he's not torching the OHL so far.
I think his stats need to be taken in context. Yes, his PPG is sub-par for the OHL but he is still 2nd in points on his team. That team seems to be offensively starved.
Also, he needs to adjust to NA ice. I never expected him to light it up this season because of that and will wait to see what he does in his 2nd year in NA.
I think his stats need to be taken in context. Yes, his PPG is sub-par for the OHL but he is still 2nd in points on his team. That team seems to be offensively starved.
Also, he needs to adjust to NA ice. I never expected him to light it up this season because of that and will wait to see what he does in his 2nd year in NA.
If you have already decided he is a bust, then I will not try to change your mind. But I am saying this is an 18-year-old kid who has only played 20 or so games on a different rink (NA). I am willing to give him more time and see how he does.It's the OHL, even on a bad team he should have the skill to lead by a big margin and score 90 pts. I don't believe the NA ice adjustment is that big of a deal. think there's something missing in his drive.
If you have already decided he is a bust, then I will not try to change your mind. But I am saying this is an 18-year-old kid who has only played 20 or so games on a different rink (NA). I am willing to give him more time and see how he does.
He's having a tough time adjusting. Goes through the motions of the game. We will see how he performs in the WJC.
yeah... he has a history of turning it on when it comes to international competitions so we'll see what happens then but he isn't the first european to come over and have a tough first year (Mesar comes to mind most recently) and I honestly think if he wanted to light the lamp in the O he could.I haven't decided he is a bust, he has plenty of time left, I'm saying this is a very bad start.
Sale going through the motions is like a theme from his scouting reports over the years.
Nobody called him a bust and I think those who don't want others to critique how his start has been haven't been watching any Colts games.Put me down with the group that thinks it’s awful early to be labeling this kid a “bust”. Seems real premature to pile on after a third of a season in a new country/league…
The point that I was trying to make is that this is his first season away from home. He is only an 18 year old kid after all. Maybe there is something missing from his drive but it is way to early to chalk it up to lack of interest and disinterest. It could be just taking the time to adjust not just to NA ice but also being away from home.Nobody called him a bust and I think those who don't want others to critique how his start has been haven't been watching any Colts games.
There are a multitude of factors that have played into his start. One is that it is a known thing that European players usually require an extra year of development in NA. Another is that Barrie really sucks this year and I don't think he has equally talented players around him to link the plays he wants to.
That doesn't mean that I think he is a bust. These are just reasons as to why he only has one point in the past 3 games despite Barrie scoring 13 goals. Beau Jelsma went undrafted and has 7 points in the past 5 games.
Sale's best game was his first where he was playing with confidence, dangling around players, making high-skill plays to find open teammates in high-danger areas; however, I haven't seen him play with that much engagement since. The reason we're saying it like it is is not because we think he's a bust, but because we see glimpses of the level he can play at.
Well, that could be a huge factor in his play so far.He's been playing with a pulled hamstring for several weeks now, according to Czech sources.
Well, that could be a huge factor in his play so far.
Just looking at the boxscores, Sale was not impressive. 3 of his goals/points were in the 8-1 win over Norway. Hopefully this can be blamed on the injury. They did roll him out multiple times in the shootout loss versus USASale has 5 points in 5 WJC games, and was pointless in today's (upset?) win over Canada.