Who had all the tools but just couldn’t make it?

[Stand Witness]

Usually, what holds a guy back and keeps him as a AAAA player is either size or skating. Who are some guys who put up solid minor league numbers, had decent size and could skate but just couldn’t crack the NHL as a full time player/underwhelmed in the NHL?

I’m wondering about guys who we sit back and go “how did that guy not become a player”.

 

[GreatSaveEssensa]

Alexander Burmistrov with the Jets. He seemed to have all the tools to be a speedy high scoring, playmaking winger in the NHL. It seemed he was another young guy who was rushed into the NHL way before he was ready. I always though he would one day break through and show his true potential. I was very wrong.

 

[Aladyyn]

I still believe the only reason Alex Nylander hasn't stuck in the NHL is because he pisses coaches off

 

[PaulD]

Brian Fogerty

Bruce Boudreau

Aaron Brand

 

[57special]

I still believe the only reason Alex Nylander hasn't stuck in the NHL is because he pisses coaches off

Nope...zero "want to" in his game. I've watched him aquite a bit in the AHL, and it's simply not there, except for the occasional glimmer.

 

[Puckluck]

Phil had tools but he also put it together

 

[Voight]

Alexander Burmistrov with the Jets. He seemed to have all the tools to be a speedy high scoring, playmaking winger in the NHL. It seemed he was another young guy who was rushed into the NHL way before he was ready. I always though he would one day break through and show his true potential. I was very wrong.

Great pick. I honestly had super high expectations for Burmistrov, really thought he'd make it as an elite player.

 

[Perfect_Drug]

Jesse Puljujaarvi

Big, strong, fast, heavy shot, crazy draft pedigree.


Probably played his last NHL game.

 

[joestevens29]

Jesse Puljujaarvi

Big, strong, fast, heavy shot.

No brain

Such and odd thread inly guys that should be mentioned are injury prone guys. Otherwise if you had all the tools you’d be in the show

 

[Boud]

Julien Gauthier seems like one of those guys right now. He has a ton of speed, a very good shot, good hands, good size and puck protection ability. All the tools are there. Can't seem to figure it out.

Not over for him but chances are he won't live up to his potential.

 

[x Tame Impala]

Me

 

[jiboy]

A guy like Louis Leblanc seemed to be a pretty balanced prospect with no huge weaknesses

Did good on his stint in the NHL , was sure he was going to become a good nhler

 

[Reddawg]

Nope...zero "want to" in his game. I've watched him aquite a bit in the AHL, and it's simply not there, except for the occasional glimmer.

I watched a lot of him with the Amerks, this is spot on. Absolutely no hustle or drive to his game at all.

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

Marko Dano

 

[pi314]

Usually, guys with all the tools but don't make it fall into 1 of 2 categories.

1. Injuries
2. Lack something between the ears

 

[Bounces R Way]

Cody Hodgson, realize injuries played a big part of that but even when he was healthy all those tools didn't quite click.

 

[Gaylord Q Tinkledink]

Me

The thread is "who had all the tools" not "who is a tool"

I almost made the same mistake.

 

[FrozenJagrt]

Evgeny Artyukhin. Absolute specimen of a human. Huge, could skate, physical, and every so often would miraculously remember how to play hockey for a couple seconds to get himself a goal or two. Unfortunately he was a bit of a meathead.

 

[Seanaconda]

No brain

Such and odd thread inly guys that should be mentioned are injury prone guys. Otherwise if you had all the tools you’d be in the show

Yakupov would be in the NHL if he had hockey iq

 

[Chainshot]

Cody Hodgson, realize injuries played a big part of that but even when he was healthy all those tools didn't quite click.

Is a genetic abnormality really an injury though?

 

[Three On Zero]

Hodgson, Yakupov, Puljujarvi, Kravtsov

 

[Nikolajs Sillers]

The thread is "who had all the tools" not "who is a tool"

I almost made the same mistake.

You are maybe box then.

 

[EverTheCynic]

Virtanen for sure. Poor kid has every tool except a brain. Big, fast, strong, hard shot. Scored 45 his draft year.

Flunked out of the NHL. Flunked out of the KHL. Now he's playing low minutes in the DEL and stinking up the joint.

 

[Esq]

Filatov?

 

[AlainVigneaultsGum]

This is a Zack Kassian thread.