KINGLEWOOD said:Yeah but the reason I'm confused is because lakings.com, and TSN have him as a Right shooter and HF did as well until just recently. Id just like to know once and for all from some one who's seen him play.
salostyle said:The Kings should NOT count on him as a physical presence of any sort if he did 'alright' in a fight with Kris Versteeg (roughly 5'8" 160 lbs).
However a first game producing the GW goal is nothing to complain about. That division will be good this year. Lethbridge is off to an 0-3 start but will improve and be a contender, Red Deer and Medicine Hat are always strong, Swift has taken a step back and the Hitmen might be the early favourite in my eyes.
Should be fun to watch though...
All Star United said:First star again yesterday. Anyone saw the game?
Birko19 said:During the draft in 2003 the Wings were trying really hard to move up and grab him, Red Wing scouts were compaing him to Igor Grigorenko at the time.
He's a keeper that's for sure.
Legionnaire said:Less of a playmaker than Grigs though.
All Star United said:But would you say more gritty and physical? Which one do you think have the best shot at having a good nhl career?
Flames Draft Watcher said:I saw him last night. He isn't as big as I was expecting (listed at 6'1) but looks more like 6'0, maybe even 5'11. Could just be his skating style I guess. Obvious skill level, he's much more purely skilled than Roman Tomanek, their other import and this got him moved up on the first line (Getzlaf and Ladd) later in the game. Didn't play soft out there, he didn't seem to be intimidated by the physical game. On the fight he was punched first by Versteeg (not sure why he didn't get the instigator or roughing call). Did okay in the fight, obviously that's not his strong suit.
But overall a great showing. Has the typical european skill level but looks to be determined to fight through the hard checking in the WHL. It looks like he'll be an impact player for the Hitmen, I'd say he's top 3 in terms of skill but not nearly as big or as strong physically as Ladd or Getzlaf (both of whom looked very good.) Getzlaf is the best prospect I've seen on the Hitmen since Brad Stuart (definitely take him over Beech or Brendl in a heartbeat), Anaheim has a real bluechipper there.