Have always loved how he explodes offensively. Just hits you in the mouth when you least expect it. On draft night, I thought he had a good chance if one thing happened, and it just hasn’t happened.
If he had a major growth spurt vertically. Unfortunately he’s still 5’9” and that might be pushing it. As thick as he looks, he’s still only 177lbs.
So we all know the concerns. There’s not one thing that will make him any different than any other small, power player.
We just won’t know, until he puts on an NHL sweater and plays NHL games. There’s no marinating in the KHL or AHL for him. He’s much more the older school Brenden Gallagher, than he is Cole Caufield. There’s 50 of him right now, playing really well in other pro leagues. Just not in the league that counts. Those guys don’t play in leagues against 6’5” monsters, who can skate. Let alone 6’4” bottom six wingers who can skate, trying to snuff you out.
All the signs point against him.
I’ve always loved Kantserov’s game. They drafted him, knowing they were getting exactly what we’re seeing. The problem is, they also drafted him, praying he has that growth spurt.
So like I said, good chance at some point he comes over and gives it a try. The odds are firmly against him though. He’s just not sneaky quick enough to keep his nose clean. He’s gonna get hit playing the game he does. Hit by freight trains.
That’s when we’ll know if he can handle playing in the NHL.