Angelo Esposito VS Drayson Bowman
- Thread starter sniperfan
- Start date
Habnot
Registered User
The reason Esposito won't get as critisized is because he doesn't deserve it. Esposito has performed in tougher competetion, is a leader (captain U18), has won the Memorial Cup. All things that Kessel has never done. The problem with players like Kessel is that they do not get exposed to intense competition before they are declared phenom's. Espo has elevated his game at every level so far and I expect that progression to continue.
Rabid Ranger
2 is better than one
Competing and winning two U18 championships, competing at two U20 WJC's, playing against older competition (NCAA teams) as a member of the USNTDP, and doing very well as a freshman in a tough conference (all before being drafted) doesn't qualify as "intense" competition? You don't have ANY idea what you're talking about.
Habnot
Registered User
Intense is playing a 72 game schedule regular season, WJC training camp, 4 series 4 out of 7 playoff, and Memorial Cup to boot. That's NHL type grind. I'm not downplaying Kessel, but Espo has already played more games as a 16 year old in one season that Kessel has in the two years you describe.
And by the way, no need to be dispresctful because we have different opinions.
Rabid Ranger
2 is better than one
You said that Kessel hasn't faced intense competition, I vehemently disagree.
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Habnot
Registered User
I never said he hasn't faced ANY intense competition, I said he hasn't done it alot. In all the World Championship tournies, you play more creampuffs teams than top caliber teams. Same in college where there is a huge gap between the have's and the have not. Furthermore, Kessell didn't exactly shine in all those instances.
Espo, SO FAR, has passed every test presented to him. I'm not saying he's a sure thing. But up to this moment, including being named as captain of the U18 team and top producer, he has not given any reason to be critizied. Also, I have never read or heard any negative comments regading his character or motivation to work.
Compare to Kessell - character issues, teamates not wanting to play with him, work ethic issues (poor performance at NHL draft testing), disappointing performance at U20 Word Championship. Trust me there is alot to question about Kessel.
The notion that elite Canadian prospects receive less criticism than prospects from other countries is hillarious. No prospects are under microscopes like Canadian prospects. Spezza was ripped to shreds in his draft year, much like Kessel and in hindsight it appears he didn't deserve a lot of it, but got it because he was in the public eye in this country for so long. That happens all the time. Canadian players are subjected to the same or more criticism than prospects from any other country.
It's illogical to say that Canadians receive less scrutiny. It simply doesn't make any sense at all.
It's illogical to say that Canadians receive less scrutiny. It simply doesn't make any sense at all.
stardog
Been on HF so long my Myspace link is part of my p
stardog
Been on HF so long my Myspace link is part of my p
Kind of hard to win the memorial cup when you play for Minnesota. And the WJC's was a pretty intense competition (as well as the under 18's which he played the last 2 of each) which had a whole lot to do with his phenom declaration (the U18's).
Finally, I am not so certain that the NCAA is a lower level of competition that the juniors (although the schedule is much more grueling) but that is my opinion.
stardog
Been on HF so long my Myspace link is part of my p
Are you sure about that? Over the last 2 season's he has played in 110 games which I dont think Esposito can match in his one season.
Im not saying Kessel has a tougher schedule, just that Esposito didnt play in more games than Kessel's 2 seasons combined.
Oh and this is neither here nor there, and Im not trying to cause a problem, but if you are the same HABNOT that used to post at the old rumor mill board I find it quite amusing that you would call someone out for being disrespectful, cuz I remember that was your whole style from way back then. You used to rip PTHC or whatever that guy's handle was and were pretty darn disrespectful about it as well (although it was funny).
I used to post there all the time also and Im sure you'd remember me by my old handle.
If that isnt you, disregard the above and carry on.
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stardog
Been on HF so long my Myspace link is part of my p
Yep Holy Cross!
He's in the toughest league in college hockey right now.
Yeah cuz Holy Cross is the only team in his league.
Habnot
Registered User
Oh and this is neither here nor there, and Im not trying to cause a problem, but if you are the same HABNOT that used to post at the old rumor mill board I find it quite amusing that you would call someone out for being disrespectful, cuz I remember that was your whole style from way back then. You used to rip PTHC or whatever that guy's handle was and were pretty darn disrespectful about it as well (although it was funny).
I used to post there all the time also and Im sure you'd remember me by my old handle.
If that isnt you, disregard the above and carry on.
Sorry - not the same.
Galchenkel
Registered User
Heat McManus
Registered User
Drayson Bowman
http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php3?pid[]=82947
34 pts last season for Spokane in the 'Dub
Angelo Esposito
[urlhttp://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php3?pid=89534[/url]
98 pts for Quebec in the Q.
At least there's some info on them.
http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php3?pid[]=82947
34 pts last season for Spokane in the 'Dub
Angelo Esposito
[urlhttp://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php3?pid=89534[/url]
98 pts for Quebec in the Q.
At least there's some info on them.
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Jeffrey
Registered User
stardog
Been on HF so long my Myspace link is part of my p
No problem...Just had to ask. Its funny that the two of you had the same handle (as its quite unique) and I was sort of doubting you were him anyways because he absolutely HATED the Habs (like with an unnatural obsession).
Talent Analyst
Registered User
nuck
Schrodingers Cat
- Aug 18, 2005
- 11,403
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Not sure how this turned into a Kessel vs Espo thread. Different ages, different development programs, and neither is in the NHL yet.
I was a bit disappointed in Esposito's year because of the cold second half but I don't think that warrants comparing him with a 34 point player. Bowman hasn't even proven to be a top flight WHL player never mind a top 5 draft pick. Any 16 year old that can play regularly is unusual and I will watch for him next year, but there are tons of kids with "all the tools" that never even become solid junior stars so he has to really make a jump to validate any possibility of future stardom.
It is quite possible that Espo won't play a game in the NHL so there are certainly no guarantees he will be better than Bowman over the long haul but based on last season I don't see Bowman has established that he is a comparable talent yet. He has to have that breakout year first,and have established some level of dominance.
Look at Devin Setoguchi at the same age. In hindsight not a player I would have taken 8th overall but possibly a comparable. 80 points will get him a top 5 draft position. If Esposito scores less than 110 points his #1 forward ranking might be in trouble.
I will go out on a limb and say we will see both these guys at the WJCs.
I was a bit disappointed in Esposito's year because of the cold second half but I don't think that warrants comparing him with a 34 point player. Bowman hasn't even proven to be a top flight WHL player never mind a top 5 draft pick. Any 16 year old that can play regularly is unusual and I will watch for him next year, but there are tons of kids with "all the tools" that never even become solid junior stars so he has to really make a jump to validate any possibility of future stardom.
It is quite possible that Espo won't play a game in the NHL so there are certainly no guarantees he will be better than Bowman over the long haul but based on last season I don't see Bowman has established that he is a comparable talent yet. He has to have that breakout year first,and have established some level of dominance.
Look at Devin Setoguchi at the same age. In hindsight not a player I would have taken 8th overall but possibly a comparable. 80 points will get him a top 5 draft position. If Esposito scores less than 110 points his #1 forward ranking might be in trouble.
I will go out on a limb and say we will see both these guys at the WJCs.
I know where you're coming from on this, and I'd probably take Esposito if I had to choose right now as well, but once you see more of Drayson you'll see he is a dynamic hockey player.
Heat McManus
Registered User
Jeffrey
Registered User
RayLeeCharles
Registered User
Bowman's play was much better than the 34 points he put down as a rookie, good enough for 3rd in WHL rookie scorers as far as 16's go. To me its hard to compare if youre looking at points. Espo got to play with Radulov, while Bowman was cursed with players who couldnt finish if their lives depended on it. Having said all that seeing Bowman all year long here in Spokane, Id consider him a player who should be ranked in the middle half of the 1st round, right now. If he does step up and puts up 60+ points, which is very possible considering the good young talent, it wouldnt surprise me if he was ranked 5-10 at the end of the year.
I highly doubt you'll see Bowman at WJC, I dont believe he was even invited to the U18 tryouts.
