TatarTangle
Registered User
I wish people would realize the chances of plucking Zetterberg and Datsyuk out of nowhere and end up developing into the players they are were extremely rare. I'm talking 1% chance rare. I've just grown tired of comparing young x player to Zetterberg or Datsyuk. Both are elite players. Tatar or Nyquist will never be elite. You have to keep in mind Zetterberg has arguably been one of the most dominant two-way players in the games for a long time and Datsyuk has been the most dynamic offensive player for a long time.Remember when Zetterberg and Datsyuk scored 30-40 points in their rookie seasons? Suggesting neither Tatar or Nyquist will blossom into two superstars at this point in time is premature. Kesler is past his prime and has an injury history. The Red Wings are already old and slow.
Elite ---> Superstar ---> Great ---> Good ---> League Minimum
Right now Tatar and Nyquist are good. Realgud. They have a ceiling of great. ****, I'm feeling okay, Nyquist may hit the Superstar level. Regardless, there isn't anything wrong with them being in the great category. I like great players on my team.
What people don't get when you start suggesting that Nyquist and Tatar are comparable to Zetterberg and Datsyuk is that they will, or are, in the same category of players such as; Tavares, Crosby, Malkin, Kane, Toews, Stamkos, JVR, Getzlaf, etc etc etc. I like Nyquist and Tatar as much as the next fan here, but they just aren't that good. To be *that* good is just as rare as the case of Datsyuk and Zetterberg.
Nyquist and Tatar will be great depth players. The Red Wings as a whole will be built on great depth players. Holland has done a fantastic job in that regard. But there isn't a Zetterberg or Datsyuk in the system.
edit: Mantha is probably the only prospect that has a chance of being elite. And we still have to see what he can do against people his own size.