Kings Prospect #4

[King'sPawn]

I guess I just don't get the grading system then... I mean the examples you used were both servicable NHL players by what 21-22? Sure they had their careers de-railed due to their issues but they were both high potential, NHL ready at a young age, and yet they are less in your view than say Andreoff who while solid tops out at probably a third liner? I get you have to factor in NHL readiness into judging prospects, but it shouldn't to me be the sole determining foctor or really even a large part of picking the best. I mean in your own words you like Andreoff because "he is a very safe prospect."
At some point you have to stop playing it safe and try to swing for the fences. Trevor Lewis was once thought to be a 2nd line two-way center, and instead he's a solid 3rd line checking forward. Doesn't make him a bust. Just means he didn't reach his full ceiling. Zykov in my eyes is at worse a 3rd/4th liner in the NHL. He has all the tools to make it even if his scoring doesn't translate to the NHL level.

I put an emphasis on NHL readiness, as that suggests a higher likelihood of reaching that potential. That's all I'm saying.

And I strongly disagree with anointing a raw18 year-old as a guaranteed NHLer, which you're suggesting by saying he will, at worst, be a 3rd/4th liner.

Just because he doesn't meet his potential doesn't mean he's a bust. I said no such thing. But I don't know if he would be as effective in a lesser role, hence the question mark for me.

And frankly, I saw a better skillset and use of body from Prokhorkin at the same age, so at the very best, Zykov would be #5 for me. But I like Gravel and Andreoff a lot.

 

[King'sPawn]

[mod]

And it's not like I called his list insane and didn't explain it. I explained why it truly is crazy to me. By my reasoning and the way I feel prospects should be judged is a completely different way than KP. I respect him and his opinion but I absolutely and completely disagree with it.

I have no problem with people disagreeing, and in fact welcome the discussion, because I have a lot to learn. And I know I have quite a head scratching list at times. I am sure 99% of people are open to discussion.

But your response wasn't encouraging discussion. Calling someone's list terrible and bat **** crazy based off their criteria, and saying they are WRONG for using their criteria, isn't going to provoke a constructive discussion.

I post my thoughts up here hoping for debate and discussion. So far you either aren't receptive to my intent, or you don't realize how insulting your response was and how much it can discourage others from sharing their thoughts.

I am sure you don't mean to come across that way, but it honestly takes away the enjoyment of a discussion with you. And I'm sure my defensive disposition at times can be a pain to overlook.

 

[Tatsdzyuk]

Ebbert

 

[CNS]

I completely agree with KP on this post on soooo many levels. Most (not all) voters here see a shiny new toy and the new guy that has created some buzz, but at this moment I just don't see Zykov getting anywhere close to playing in the NHL for at least 3 or 4 years. I hope he proves me wrong. He is barely 18 now. Barely. He fell to #37 for a reason unless everyone else is blind, Russian or not. We'll see.

I totally get that but as with Holden, I quite liked what Zykov did this year. While shiny new toys do tend to get hype, I genuinely feel that Zykov has higher upside than Pearson and Vey AND I think he's likely to hit that upside. I've seen Zykov play a good handful of games and every time I came away more impressed.

Like I said earlier, after Zykov is where it gets actually interesting. Now there's legit debates going on as to where a lot of prospects fall and I'm curious to see who walks away with the #5 spot here.

 

[kingsfan]

[mod]

And it's not like I called his list insane and didn't explain it. I explained why it truly is crazy to me. By my reasoning and the way I feel prospects should be judged is a completely different way than KP. I respect him and his opinion but I absolutely and completely disagree with it.

Label it what you want. There's constructive discussion, and there's condesending cockiness, and your responses in the prospect poll threads have trended much farther towards the latter than the former.

 

[theone17]

da rassian Zykov!