Leafaholix said:
First thing first, Kesler played in the NHL at the age of 19, he's a 1984.
You're second point, I can't see how he's a safer bet than Steen. Alexander has been pegged as a sure-fire NHL player since the age of 18 and has developed into Sweden's top prospect.
I'm not sure I'd take Kesler over Sweden's #5 prospect... he's a guy that'll play in the NHL, but so is Steen. And Alex has much higher potential, so I fail to see how Kesler is still higher than him on these lists.
Ryan is just 6 months younger than Alex Steen, so it's not a big difference in age, it's not as if Kesler's done the unthinkable to bump him ahead of such superior talents.
My bad. Kesler played those 28 NHL games as a 19 year old.
But I still stand by my second point. I think Kesler is a safer bet to make the NHL simply by:
1.) his style of game (solid, defensive, physical, doesn't try to do too much)
2.) the fact that he's done it already (on a division-winning Vancouver team)
Alexander Steen is a very safe prospect but he isn't a guarenteed contributor for the future. Think Mikko Koivu.
The SEL produces som of the best prospects in the world but not all of their top end talent materializes.
In 2001, 11th overall pick Fred Sjostrom has disapointed so far. The 18th overall pick Jens Karlsson also disapointed.
The Sedins absolutely tore up the SEL but have struggled much in their adjustment to the North American game.
If you think Alexander Steen is a definite lock for the NHL then you have another thing coming.