You say that now, but I seem to recall you really having a major hate on for Cogliano. Actually one quite similar to the one you had for Paajarvi the last couple of years.
It's easy to say Cogliano was always a player now when it looks like he's found a niche in the league on a really good team. There was stretches as an Oiler where he looked like he would never figure it out and you were maybe literally the first to start pointing it out.
Cogliano actually had the worst offensive season of his career the year after being traded to Edmonton. He's bounced back very nicely and is having a fantastic year this year. Paajarvi can bounce back too.
Not to say that this was a good trade for the Blues. They gave up far and away the better player and right now Paajarvi isn't showing much. But he might in the future, and you never know with the 2nd rounder.
Cogs problems were awful hands that looked at times like they might never score another goal, and diminutive size which prevented him from being too effective in critical areas. I would never question his heart or perseverence to play at this level. Any player his size that has crafted an NHL career is worthy of credit. Clearly, on a much better club Cogs can have a role and make a contribution. He was never going to be a go to player which is kind of what the club needed from him at times here. We needed some production here and that pressure was felt. There is no production pressure in Anaheim, just fill out a role.
In anycase, as mentioned, Paajarvi reminds me much more of Brule than Cogliano in that Paajarvi's lack of success stems from his mixed conviction in playing an NHL game. Neither, I fear, has the spirit for physical play.
In NHL terms the diagnosis, to that condition, is that the player "came up lame".
Paajarvi is gifted with size, height, frame, speed and parlays this to essentially nothing at the NHL level. In recent years I watched a shadow of what he could be feigning rushes up ice while all the while for some reason losing races to loose pucks, not converging on puck battles, and basically avoiding hits and physical play. Half a dozen times a game I watched this player pull up lame on 50/50 dumps when he had a clear bead on a loose puck. Somehow his speed rarely getting there on time.
Can't believe other people don't spot this. Paajarvi made a habit of avoiding contact here. Diagnosis is fear.