GDT: Stars @ Avs, 2024-25 Preseason game 1, 7:00pm MT

[The Mars Volchenkov]

Kovy has had a great camp. They’re moving him around a lot and testing him in different roles.

 

[GirardSpinorama]

Nah, I don't think the Avs messed up his development and I don't really believe an organization really CAN mess up a player's development. They can slow it down, yeah, but they either got it or they don't. Like Kaut, Foudy already has a questionable skill level, couple that with a wonky work ethic and you have a "prospect" who's just not worth the trouble.

Slow down is messing up development. So its kind of semantics here.

 

[Pokecheque]

Slow down is messing up development. So its kind of semantics here.

Not really, it's not like a guy who's got NHL talent will just miss the league entirely because of mishandling by the organization and/or coach, it just might take longer. Conversely it might also get sped up if they do things right.

Stephen Weiss is a prime example. Mike Keenan went out of his way to try and destroy that guy's career but he still managed to make it to the big show as an impact player. Took him a while (and injuries cut it short) but it still happened.

 

[RoyIsALegend]

Avs fans .. I'm wondering how Kovalenko looked? I watched a ton of Torpedo games last year, don't think his stat line last season fully does a justice. He was pretty dominant, PPG until the injuries started hampering him a bit, still had good numbers. I'm not overly familiar with the Avs depth players but I thought he'd be a guy that would slot right into that top 9, especially with Landeskog and Nichuskin out. Good mix of skill and tenacity but his play style seems to effect his durability

Wrong account, Evan!

 

[Leviathan899]

Most fans here think Ritchie will go back to junior btw. We're just pleased that he's showing promise in camp. He may get a few games just because of the injury situation, but I doubt many think he will stick around.

Fair enough. I do think he’s close to NHL ready, skill and smarts wise, but physically he isn’t ready and I just fear that since the prospect pool isn’t that deep, they might rush him in. Which I think would ruin him long term. But yeah I get the excitement, he is going to be good in the future.

 

[The Mars Volchenkov]

Wrong account, Evan!

 

[GirardSpinorama]

Not really, it's not like a guy who's got NHL talent will just miss the league entirely because of mishandling by the organization and/or coach, it just might take longer. Conversely it might also get sped up if they do things right.

Stephen Weiss is a prime example. Mike Keenan went out of his way to try and destroy that guy's career but he still managed to make it to the big show as an impact player. Took him a while (and injuries cut it short) but it still happened.

Was Keane his coach for his entire career? If not, its hard to day its not proper development that rescued his career.

 

[Pokecheque]

Was Keane his coach for his entire career? If not, its hard to day its not proper development that rescued his career.

Point remains, getting those key development years disrupted so badly did not ruin him.

Keenan was always notable because I felt there was always one player who absolutely flourished under him, whether it was Pronger, or Olli Jokinen, etc. And there was always a player or two who suffered, like Weiss, Kristian Huselius, and so on. He would’ve been a much better and more successful coach if he hadn’t been such a megalomaniac.