They can’t easily scratch him this year. Unless MB acquires a fourth line C and plays him as a second liner. I could see that happening.
Player Discussion Jesperi Kotkaniemi - Part 20 - Second line centre edition?
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Ozmodiar
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- Oct 18, 2017
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I agree. Adding strength will help his skating, no doubt , but what he needs the most is to improve his technique and get reps practicing. Power skating.
I’ve seen post-growth spurt Midget players - limited strength- with excellent edge work. I’m not talking about board battles, just open ice agility.
Kents polished head
Formerly Tough Au Lit
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Oh believe me, I'll be more than happy to eat crow if it's ever served. Why would I be "scared shitless"? If the guy takes the next step, the Habs are better off. And, you know, I'm kind of a fan of that team.
You know what is unbearable around here? It's the ludicrous claims around here made by people who claim the guy had a progression curve worthy of a 3rd overall pick. It's people who come up with BAGS of excuses for the guy, going as far as saying Julien "decided he was tired". As far as saying Ducharme didn't know what the hell he was doing when he scratched him in the Stanley Cup Finals. As far as suggesting that if he hadn't gotten injured in 2019-2020, he would have been the guy who would have had Suzuki's chance, and that all what transpired since then is a matter of circumstances. As far as saying he only gets leftovers for linemates, when the kid played with guys like Toffoli and Anderson for huge chunks of the past season/playoffs.
Those ridiculous claims make it hard to actually come here level-headed without everyone thinking you're biased against the kid.
But so far? If things keep going to way they do? Yes, absolutely, passing over Tkachuk to draft Kotkaniemi was a huge mistake. To suggest the opposite at this point in time is just wearing pink-coloured glasses. He sensibly improved his skating and balance? Well, good for him. But that's not nearly enough.
We're talking about a 3rd overall pick. A guy we picked instead of Tkachuk, who's already one of the best power forwards in the game and soon-to-be captain in Ottawa. A guy who was an obvious NHL-talent with bloodlines, and who was ready for the show back when he was drafted. People have every right to expect a lot more than what they've been served so far. And listening to Bergevin in his press conference, we're obviously not the only ones.
outside of the usual lineup of "bust brigade" posters, the majority of habs fans that see the immense talent and potential that JKO has aren't at all concerned about the "possibility of seeing JKO as the #2C next year"... it's moreso the concern that he will be, yet again, held to a unreasonably high standard and given the silly short leash we've seen that leads to line and usage yo-yoing at any sign of difficulty.
Give the guy relatively consistent minutes/linemates (ie set him up for success), and there's every reason to believe that we'll be rewarded with a solid development jump. That doesn't mean "elite #2c", nor should it be the bar a 21-year old player that is still physically maturing should be held to.
if we see him get something akin to the support Suzuki saw this season, that saw him navigate a 3-week slump with 1g/1a over a 9 game stretch (where he actually saw his ice time go up near the end of it, averaging over 18m/game through it), as opposed to getting relegated to the wing/revolving door of linemates and 12-14min/night ice time the way he was handled this season, then there's every reason to feel confident he'll have his best season yet.
The point is that people who are optimistic about KK aren't the ones constantly whining about KK's lack of progression and saying that drafting him was a mistake and that he'll top out a 3rd line C. Why would they be concerned about KK potentially playing as a top 6 C next year when they've been wanting him to have that role for a long time?
To be fair the majority of posters that are "scared" hoped Danault will be back.
And it's not even entirely about KK, it's the entire center group as a whole that's concerning. Way too many question marks going into the season.
Kents polished head
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What you're saying makes little sense.
The people who were optimistic about Galchenyuk were not whining about his lack of progression neither. They were finding a bunch of excuses for him. And Kotkaniemi's progression curve is absolutely underwhelming for a 3rd overall pick. I don't think any sane person expects a lottery pick to "just improve his skating and his balance" in the first 3 years following his draft. I don't think anyone had such low expectations when he was drafted. If they had, well they set the bar pretty damn low.
As for playing on the top-6, mind you, we can also play Poehling as our 2nd line center. Doesn't make him any more of a good fit there. The sole decision to put Kotkaniemi on the 2nd line won't magically make him a better player. People who are concerned right now are concerned because they want the Habs to do well, and they're concerned because the guy we're about to put in a most critical spot hasn't proven he belongs there. At all.
Kents polished head
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I'm skeptical to the highest point about Kotkaniemi. And I still wouldn't have taken Danault back for 5.5M. This contract is pure madness.
Generally, I absolutely think it's time for Kotkaniemi to take on bigger responsibilities. But to do so with the next best center being Evans? That's a bit silly IMO. I've been advocating for a stop-gap, middle-6 C ala Wennberg or ala Bonino. Wennberg less so when I saw the term. Bozak is another name. I think people underestimate how much having a veteran C in the lineup is crucial. I think the potential value of a Bonino or a Bozak in a prospective Canadiens lineup is not as low as 2 / 5.5 of Danault's value. And I absolutely take Bozak and Hoffman on the lineup before I take Danault alone.
I didn’t say he did it cause he didn’t like the kid.
every player tires over an NHL schedule, doesn’t matter the age.
it was just a convenient excuse to get Thompson in
You ok ?
I just stated facts, never suggested any coach was out to get him.
just because you have a vivid imagination, that doesn’t make it my reality.
There are pre-teens who post here that you can get away with posting these kinda replies…I ain’t the one though lol.
Check out what Boston has behind Bergeron…
Habs are young at center but their young players have played some big time hockey in big time moments the last 2 years.
They’ll be just fine.
What I'm saying makes complete sense. The difference is that KK has better vision, and hockey IQ than Poehling. I can see him improving next year if he's given top-6 duties next year. Name a player that has regressed when given more ice-time and responsibilities. Players like Suzuki and Pacioretty didn't become top forwards without getting top 6 ice time. The only concern to say is whether he can improve his conditioning enough to handle the additional ice-time over an 82 game schedule.
Kents polished head
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If it was that easy, anyone could become a good player. Anyone.
It's ridiculous how anyone would suggest the contrary.
This is not that old gameboy Pokemon game in which any pokemon who fights gains experience/levels we're talking about here pal. This is the NHL. The best league in the world.
So you think KK is done developing as a player? This is the best we'll ever see from him? Look, I think that KK can become a better player and he has a far better chance of reaching that potential playing top 6 minutes. Don't know why that's such a debatable opinion.
It's funny you brought up Boston when they just signed Haula for the exact same reasons I'm talking about... And maybe they expected Krejci to be back also...
OldCraig71
Juice Arse
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- Nov 17, 2014
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I'll preface by saying I'm happy that the Habs gambled on a big skilled centerman with their pick. I think KK will be a great top-6 center with some jam in his game.
I find hilarious though that people criticize the pick by bringing up Brady. He's a fine player, don't get me wrong, but the obvious miss here was Hughes, not Tkachuk. Hughes is exactly what we lack on our blue-line and he produces more than BT as a defenseman. I wouldnt trade KK for Tkachuk, but I would trade him for Q. Hughes in a heartbeat.
I find hilarious though that people criticize the pick by bringing up Brady. He's a fine player, don't get me wrong, but the obvious miss here was Hughes, not Tkachuk. Hughes is exactly what we lack on our blue-line and he produces more than BT as a defenseman. I wouldnt trade KK for Tkachuk, but I would trade him for Q. Hughes in a heartbeat.
Archijerej
Registered User
Really? We are scared that a player on our team goes out and produces? Give your head a shake.
I would LOVE if he did well next season.
Archijerej
Registered User
I was being sarcastic lol…I know who Erik Haula is.
I’m down for a clear upgrade as a #2…but not retreads like Haula who will just serve to block Kotkaniemi’s progression even more.
Good thread that applies to Kotkaniemi
That's the thing though. Maybe not you in particular, but some posters skeptical of KK don't think he'll produce if he's given the role of 2C next season.
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