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- Jun 17, 2002
- 3,817
- 39
Vlad The Impaler said:The numbers on Backes are from when he is 17, I think. Also, Backes is not a top 10 pick but a low second rounder (62nd overall).
This is what I don't get. Wheeler was obviously drafted very early. I guess I expected better numbers or super special upside from a 5th overall reach like that. I'd still like to see him play, just to look at the tools, intangibles and potential. But I am underwhelmed statistically.
His outlook on paper is that of your average 2nd rounder. But that's on paper. On the ice, maybe it's another story
The numbers are from when Backes, Potulny, and Irmen were all 17. That difference is more significant than the fact that this is Wheeler's first year in the USHL IMO.
The only time I actually got to see Wheeler play was at the US WJC evaluation last August. I'll admit it wasn't the best viewing as it was via internet and I wasn't focusing on Wheeler in particular. He looked decent but was far from a standout. I remember that he was smooth for a guy his size and he showed some nice finishing abilities. If he had been a second round pick I would have said he had a decent showing. However, the fact that he was taken fifth overall raises the standard.
I'd love to see Wheeler succeed as I'm a huge backer of US players but I'd be lying if I said what he's done so far in the USHL has impressed me. Expecting him to be one of the leading scorers in the league is really a pretty conservative expectation given his lofty draft position. I would have hoped for the same thing if he were a second round pick.
As for the argument that he is on a poor team... it hasn't stopped 17 year old Chad Rau from being one of the leading scorers in the league. He's playing for a team that only has 4 wins so far this year. Like Wheeler, he's a rookie to the league from Minnesota high school. He's not getting any NHL draft hype either. What does that tell you? Maybe that it's entirely possible for a rookie from high school to put up numbers in the league while playing for a bad team?