How many young players have we been frustrated with during their first years as pros and with the Rangers? How many of them did we question their maturity level, performance, and future ability to do well?
Dubinsky, Kreider, JT Miller, Buchnevich...all come to mind.
I think part of the issue with KK is the discrepancy between the player we thought we were getting with him and the player he may turn out to be. I think we were expecting a goal scorer. What we may get is an absolutely fine, two way winger, strong on the boards, strong with puck possession, responsibly defensively. He may never be that 35-40 goal scorer we had hoped for, but he very well may be a solid 25-30, 30-30 second line winger. And, if that happens, that is perfectly fine.
We need patience. He needs to mature. Yes, of course I am concerned with his first few years here. But, I am far from saying he is a bust or even a disappointment. This year is crucial for us to see improvement. But, even if he shows nominal improvement, I would still not give up on him. Some guys just take longer. Certainly, warning signs are there but there are also hopeful signs.
Personally, I would like to see him get second line minutes this year. But that depends on so many other factors, not even including his own performance.
Patience often pays off. Sometimes it doesn't. But KK deserves our patience.
