No question. But I think it is poor strategy to base a re-building / personnel strategy on a hoped for exception.
In my long association with this game the immutable fact is that the single, most important distinction between house league and rep players; “A” and “AAA” players ; Junior A and CHL players and AHL and NHL players is their comparative skating abilities.
There are, of course, exceptions but I prefer to be guided in my decision making by pursuing probabilities rather than possibilities. Hence my position, that as of today, Tuch, who already has NHL level skating ( plus other positive traits such as size and physicality) will probably make the NHL before the more ‘skillful’ Florian Xhekaj.
I, like many here, was curious about this kid when we drafted him. I read those all too superficial scouting reports that depicted Florian as a large, rugged, and physical player who projected as a possible bottom 6 forward in the NHL. He was regarded as Xhekaj ‘Lite’.
Then I started to follow him in Branford and realized that this kid was no thug, but possessed above average straightforward speed and hockey skills. He was even playing on the Bulldogs powe play. Heck, he was even running the power play from the right point position. After watching Florian play for a couple of weeks I boldly suggested that Team Canada officials should have this kid on their radar as a player who could provide speed, skill and size to Canada’s WJC entry instead of the smallish, slow plugs that they usually seemed so enchanted with. I thought that Florian had more than enough skating, size and skill to be a factor ( certainly a physically intimidating one) against players of his own age group.
It is good to see Florian starting to flourish against pro level competition in the AHL. Its also instructive to see the Laval coaching staff place greater in game responsibilities on this young player.
Nevertheless, unless Florian improves his quickness , agility and edge work, he will not be able create the time and space he needs to flash very underestimated hockey skills at the next level. The goal he scored last game from what appeared to be an impossible angle, was no fluke. He makes multiple, creative plays every game. He sees the ice well. Florian has now caught up to the speed and pace of the AHL. He’s becoming more noticeable. Florian is no mere bottom line fill-in. He’s becoming a key player for the Rocket.
I think his upward trajectory will continue. While it probably not happen this year or even next year, this kid will be playing in Montreal and will be playing an important role.
Have I ever been wrong before?
Of course you have, but sports forums have no oracles of truth on them, TBH.
It's your evaluation of things, whether it is professional, amateur, or whatever. Room for error is prevalent in such evaluations when it comes to projecting an 18-year old, a 19-year old, a 20-year old or another youngster since, in a player's development, progression can occur at varying times, sometimes never, always depending on the level at which the player is playing.
Some okay AHLers go on to become 30-goal scorers in the NHL. Other top-of-the league AHLers, year after year, never make the jump to the NHL and stick at that level.
I'm more concerned about processing speed than skating speed once we reach some level of skating that, Imo, is a minimum.
If you're not fast enough to burn by opposing Ds, but can spot a free line mate regularly, plus use them on the fly to give a speed advantage over flat-footed Ds, then trail in on the play in support, adding defensive insulation in case of a turnover, that can be pretty good, assuming you aren't skating in molasses to begin with.
Beyond that, owning a decent shot, making plays in tight spaces, a proficiency at finding passing and shooting lanes, an ability to win puck battles, good vision of the ice around you and good hockey IQ to underscore developing patterns and future player positioning could combine to help you become a helluva player.
You can't be a pylon, though, but skating issues can be comparatively overcome with higher compete level, positioning and, especially, anticipation.
Mind you, some pylons like Sheldon Souray did manage to make a lot of money in the NHL, but that's more reaction and sideways mobility as a handicap that made him a pylon.
Also, in a race, the faster player may well be the first one to pull the foot off the gas.
In football, as a full back, I would burn most opponents in the first 10, 20, 30 and, even, 40 yards, but, if you kept going, you might catch up in the remaining yards to the goal line.
Not that the 10-yard gain or greater isn't any good, but I prefer it had been a touchdown each time I had gotten the early lead on an opponent.
