2013 9th Overall Pick Discussion: Horvat vs Nichushkin [MOD NOTE POST #1]

[How Ya Drouin]

Yeah, I think I would too. Take out the KHL threat though (not that it still can't happen) and it's a little bit harder of a decision for me.

We haven't had a sexy player like that for a while.

 

[John Belushi]

I hate to be the wet blanket, but Malhotra is currently the best face-off guy in the league and he's just over 61%. Everyone else is under 60%.

Once you are around the league for a while, other centres learn your tendencies or just tie up your stick and let the wingers fight for it. I don't think anyone has maintained a 65% F/O percentage.

I think Yanic Perrault did for a few years, but I'm not 100% on that.

EDIT: Hit 65.3% in 2003-04.

 

[Shareefruck]

Yannic Perreault was insane.

2007-2008 - 64.3%
2006-2007 - 62.6%/63.6%
2005-2006 - 62.2%
2003-2004 - 65.2%
2002-2003 - 62.9%
2001-2002 - 61.3%
2000-2001 - 62.6%
1999-2000 - 61.8%
1998-1999 - 62.8%

 

[Phenomenon13]

52% on the faceoffs as a rookie. That is almost unheard of. In comparison, Malhotra's faceoff percentage was like 44%. Kesler's was 46.8% in his first full season as a Canuck. Horvat is going to be a very valuable player moving forward. I am pretty happy with this pick.

Some of you guys are overrating his faceoff ability. Horvat is doing fantastic on the dot but it's not unheard of for a rookie to have roughly 52% in faceoff abilities. Some quick examples of rookies doing well:
Toews had 53.2%
Dubinsky had 51.4%
Couture had 53.4%

It's certainly awesome that he is doing as well as these guys but Horvat most likely ends up being 55% in the dot roughly in his prime and not 60%. That is still a very good faceoff percentage.

Malhotra and Perrault are really special cases were a player just finds his niche and does that limited job for the team.

 

[WTG]

Yeah and compare Nichushkin's faceoff stats to Horvat's I mean it's not even close. Nichushkin is 0-1 that's a 0% what a bust. Glad we didn't pick him lazy Russians can't win faceoffs

 

[NoRaise4Brackett]

Horvat > VN easily, as that is how it works. It was the other way around last year when Bo was in London and VN was in the NHL, but now Bo is in the NHL and VN is damaged goods that we get to compare to Virtanen once he returns from injury and struggles to score.

 

[Phenomenon13]

Horvat > VN easily, as that is how it works. It was the other way around last year when Bo was in London and VN was in the NHL, but now Bo is in the NHL and VN is damaged goods that we get to compare to Virtanen once he returns from injury and struggles to score.

I think you actually have to show regression over a decent sample size to say they are damaged goods. Look at the top prospects poll - Bennett came at #2 despite missing significant time.

 

[CherryToke]

Nichushkin >

 

[canuckking1]

Nichushkin >

Your obsession with Horvat isn't healthy

 

[strattonius]

Nichushkin has taken huge leaps in his game. I do wonder how Horvat would be producing in Colorado though.

Either way, I'll take the 2nd line Center that has proven to be a reliable 55-60pt guy and is captain of a team.

 

[VanJack]

I shudder to think what Canuck fans on these boards would be saying now if the Canucks had drafted Nichushkin instead of Horvat back in 2013. Nichushkin may be hitting his stride with the Av's now in his mid-20's.

But early in his career he was borderline 'disaster' with the Dallas Starts. In fact they couldn't wait to unload him and get something of value for him. He feuded with management over injury/contract issues and actually fled back to the KHL for a season or so.

If that scenario had ever played out in VanCity, he'd be right up there with Juolevi as a draft-bust. Besides, when push comes to shove, you always go with a center over a winger.

 

[F A N]

Nichushkin >

Seriously? You bumped a 7 year old thread for this?

 

[rypper]

Seriously? You bumped a 7 year old thread for this?

And for a take that is completely wrong too.

 

[PG Canuck]

Your obsession with Horvat isn't healthy

It’s very concerning and it completely hinders any other evaluations of players since it’s clear agendas are more important.

 

[ChuckNorris4Cup]

Horvat> Schneider

 

[Breakers]

Congrats to Valeri for reaching a career high at 27 years of age in a sheltered role