So you think a C that had 77 points at 24 years old last year and pacing for 82 at 25 so far isn’t worthy of a 1C role?
At his size, ideally no, not on a cup contender and pacing means nothing a dozen games in, or do you think Adam Gaudette will actually score 50 goals? Most players hit their offensive ceiling by 24/25, so he'll likely never b an elite #1, but that's not to say he's not good. He's a good #1 for a rebuilding team
So what do we make of his 77 points last year at 24? That’s not pacing that’s on a full season.
Ideally, perhaps not, but given his obviously higher offensive ceiling, he's certainly far more suited to the role. Not to mention the fact he is 3 years younger, hasn't likely hit his offensive ceiling yet and still has room to fill out in his frame. 31 fanbases & 32 front offices would prefer him over Suzuki, you can be assured of that. And again, his 77 points is less than 1 ppg and is more likely to be his offensive ceiling than Timmy's 90 points.
What does size have to do with being #1C on a cup contender?
And Bedard is 5' 9", but those are are generational talents out SEVERE outliers, not the Timmy's and Suzuki's that are the actual subject of my comments. And for real are you seriously asking what size has to do with being a great hockey player?? Like seriously??
I don't see the link with size and being a #1C on a contender, if the player is 5'11 and large framed like Suzuki. I gave you Point as an example too who is not generational. Datsyuk was even smaller at 5'10.And Bedard is 5' 9", but those are are generational talents out SEVERE outliers, not the Timmy's and Suzuki's that are the actual subject of my comments. And for real are you seriously asking what size has to do with being a great hockey player?? Like seriously??
I guess you didn't read my other comments then cause yes, Suzuki not having a high enough offensive ceiling was the main thrust of my initial point. And I always choose my words carefully and I have been saying ideally for a reason. Of course there's multiple examples of smaller centres winning cups, but that doesn't make having an undersized centre ideal. JG Pageau was a great 3C but at 5'9" his height is a drawback and something he had to overcome and no, is sure af not at all ideal.
Also, the Caufield's and DeBrincat's of the world are next level tiny who's heights are huge drawbacks that only those with the most elite of skill sets could ever hope to overcome. Hockey is a physical sport full of high speed collisions, so size is a HUGE issue and the bigger the better is the default starting point. Mario would not have been Mario if he weren't 6.5' tall, regardless of his insane skill. Take a foot off his height and he's Theo Fleury, a late rounder, fringe HOF'er, not a first ballot, multi cup winner, first overall type of guy
Jack Eichel won the cup as the #1 C with a career high 82 points
