I remember someone (Brian Burke?) saying Ryan Miller worked out but NEVER got any bigger - although, as a goalie, being lanky would be for the best. I just think between vitamins / supplements / the right kind of food and a workout coach, everyone would get there.
Same with stats. I'd happily trade 20 points a NHL season for someone who plays a hard 200 foot game but many posters (I am guilty of it, too) love those flashy totals.
It would be nice to be one of those guys.
Right, like saying that Catton should be drafted over Iginla purely because of point totals. Points obviously matter, but it’s not everything in scouting because scouting is about projection. If it were all about taking the guy scoring the best at 18 in whatever league they’re in, then scouting would be totally unnecessary.
^^ Yup. ^^ There is so much more to a player than stats - maybe that's why so many 1st rounders flop.
As a Devils fan, calling Jack Hughes one of the better finishers in the league is absolutely crazy. When he’s playing well he’s a chance generating machine. Far from a great finisher, just gets more than enough chances to make it count by being a decent finisher.
Not sure you that’s a good example. Hughes and Bedard are #1 overall picks and two of the most talented players in the entire world. Shouldn’t use them to suggest it’s getting easier to stick at center unless we’re talking about comparably talented players. As others have mentioned they may not last at center and Hughes in fact has already been moved off center recently.
It's the opposite. Players need absurd talent to play in the playoffs as small centers.
Well the thing is one player is way more developed than the other one. One is much more raw, scouts and GM's base these picks on upside and development not who the best more polished player is right now.
I think Catton is the second best player in this draft, so I think it’s close to comparable levels of players.
Watching Rossi in jr was obvious he doesnt have the explosive skating to be a top line center in the NHL or even a 2nd line center on a contender. I dont see any team winning anything with him in a top 6 role as a center even if they have a power first line center. Not fast or dynamic enough of a skater.
Not sure many people if anyone would say Catton is anywhere near the same planet as Bedard and Hughes talentwise but that’s your opinion.
I'm assuming that was due to the shoulder and not something that is likely to be a long term thing.
I would not be surprised if it was long-term. Or at least a hybrid situation playing him with someone who is a center as well and can take certain responsibilities at times.
Probably not further than that. Although Minnesota could use a Buium more, but I don't think he'd slip that far.
They need a Center and that would be good value at 12th.
Agreed, but drafting like that would actually outperform many teams' scouting departments. I believe someone did that with the Canucks a while back.
You might argue a few other players slightly over him, but it wouldn't be some reach. I think it'd be like when NJ took Luke Hughes. Would they 100% have taken him if Jack wasn't on the team? I don't know, as you could definitely argue Brandt Clarke was just as good, maybe slightly better.
Agreed. Silayev will go super high because of his size. But the rest you listed, I like more. Siliayev isn't bad, but I think he's more Zadorov/Myers than the next Hedman.
