Hi,
I started reading this thread out of pure curiosity as to what the kings fanbase preferred with the 2nd pick. Around half way through I really started to feel an urge to share my opinion. The extreme preference to QB on this board is honestly very interesting to see. In my opinion not only would ST fit the roster better, but his electric ability to dictate play and create offense is an ability very few have. I really just want to comment on some of the reasoning for the strong preference of QB over ST.
So to start, I need to express the lack of respect for the DEL as pro leauge is kind of silly. Just take a look at Moritz Seider. People thought the Redwings were crazy for drafting him so high. He only put up 6 points in the DEL the season before he was drafted. After the draft he put up nearly 4 times that amount of points in the AHL. Yes he played 20 more games in AHL. That does not change the fact that he put up .44 ppg in the AHL compared to .21in DEL a season prior. So when an 18 year old gets nearly a ppg in the DEL yes it is actually an incredibly big deal(hence the consensus top 3). Combine that with his play at WJC, which considering USA, Russia, and Canada are littered with top NHL talent and Germany was the 2nd worst team there his play was impressive, but the fact that he was able to not only stand out against teams like the US and Russia is incredible, but more importantly to this thread he stood out against Canada a team comprised of CHL all stars and top NHL picks not just the OHL.
First, the thing I have seen mentioned on this board a lot is size. As a person who has played high level hockey and against various top 10 picks(Provorov I played against most) I have to say size means nothing. My brother played against, and with a few times, Johnny Gaudrea since he was 10. As you can guess JG was tiny his whole life and no exaggerations every 2 years from age 10 to 20 you'd listen to his competition say next level it will catch up with him. Obviously it never did. Because size ultimately means very little unless your say Chara where size is the forefront of his game.
Next thing that TS is knocked for was shot. I have to say you know shooting is probably the easiest skill to develop in all of Hockey right? Development could be as short as half a season if the player commits to progressing the way you imagine a professional would. Shift that development to skating and the development curve extends time wise extensively. From half a season maybe 1 full one to multiple years. And in reality elite Edge work is typically developed at younger ages then honed/perfected in the NHL.
Last one and somehow it does not factor into most peoples thought process on here is Hockey IQ. Hockey IQ is a tool the separates the best from the rest. It obviously will not mean much without the elite intangible skills. But if a player has elite skills what separates the best from the elite? IQ. I'm really not certain its teachable either. What made Crosby and Gretzky the greatest ever? IQ. Their master level control and understanding of the flow of the game is what makes them the best. At their heights its like watching a player who's mind is five steps ahead of everyone else on the ice. Without the elite skill, as I said earlier, it obviously will not amount to much. But IQ in tamdem with with Skill is what the Best Ever have over every single other elite skilled player. I genuinely think IQ is the hardest skill to develop if it really can be. QB has good IQ so with his skill he obviously will be good. However, TS possesses a hockey IQ that is quite frankly off the charts. Combine IQ with silky and creative hands, incredible skating, and ability to create space makes watching TS play is so reminiscent of Patrick Kane it chilling. His elite edge work and more specifically his mitts give me flash backs to Pavel Datsyuk as well. QBs play gives me strong sensations of Eric staal. I also genuinely see a ton of JVR too though, mostly with their style of play in front of the net, goal scoring ability, shot, size, raw talent.
Before I conclude I need to address the Malkin comparison. No QB will never be Malkin one of the greatest players ever and I dont say that to be rude him. He will be fantastic, but in truth Malkins greatest strength is also his Elite IQ. He developed his technical skills more after he was drafted but he his IQ was nearly as good as Crosby's at one point in his career. QB's technical skills are great but his Hockey IQ is not close to Malkin and unfortunately I personally can not see that ever happening.
Overall you will get great player and yeah QB is good. If you're mad the kings pick ST though I feel sorry for you. To me ST, again just my opinion, is going to be the better player and potentially one of the best in the NHL fast. His IQ will make his game translate to the NHL quickly and will make the entire team better.
I was genuinely hoping the kings fans would want to take ST mainly because I think he is better, but also I love the sport and I think a German born player going to the 2nd largest market in the US would help grow the game exponentially on a global level. Oh well though, I wish your franchise the best because their success is also important for the growth of Hockey as a whole.
