Liles or Klesla?

Status
Not open for further replies.

Ensane

EL GUAPO
Mar 2, 2002
15,746
69
On this site you don't find too much love for Liles. Our "esteemed" HF writers actually chose to omit him from any Calder consideration in the latest Calder watch.

As for potential, Klesla definitely has more of it. He has a bigger frame to grow into, has more NHL experience (and will likely always have that advantage), and has always been in a position to become a number 1 defender in the league. Honestly, it's like comparing apples and oranges. I don't think Liles will ever have that kind of set of expectations thrust upon him. He's being touted currently as a top-4 defender with a possible #2 upside. Liles certainly is better offensively, but Klesla will in all likelihood become the more dominant at his position of the two.

I think you might find a better argument by thinking about who might be better currently--at least among those who have seen both play.
 
Last edited:

Hossa

Registered User
Feb 27, 2002
9,649
274
Abroad
Visit site
Klesla by a mile.

One guy Liles should be compared to is Tom Preissing, who had a comparable college career, and both are playing quite well in the NHL. Liles has put up a bit more offence, Preissing is a bit better defensively.
 

Mephisto

Registered User
May 9, 2002
312
0
eddieshore.zapto.org
I know Colombus ain't Colorado but it just seems like Liles has adjusted to NHL better than Klesla...

So i was wondering if they both needed reconsideration regarding their respective status.

Thx guys.
 

Foppa

Future Norris Winner
Feb 27, 2002
4,991
1
Kansas City, USA
Hossa said:
Klesla by a mile.

One guy Liles should be compared to is Tom Preissing, who had a comparable college career, and both are playing quite well in the NHL. Liles has put up a bit more offence, Preissing is a bit better defensively.

Preissing must be quite an impressive defensive player if he's been better than Liles in that aspect (I really don't mean that in a sarcastic way...I've not seen much of Tom this year). Liles isn't big but he's terrific positionally and has more jamb in his game than one would expect given his stature. Pierre McGuire (yes, yes...hockey 'mastermind' that he is) - is not the first and will not be the last to draw the Brian Raflaski comparison.

He's been our third best defenseman bar none and on many nights, even better. I guarantee you, that had he been a higher draft pick, he'd be getting some much hype and pub on these boards, people would be sick of it. As it is, he's going to get a lot of pub from Avs fans because of the way he's been playing.

That said...I also pick Rusty bar none becaue he's been one of my favorite young players for a long time now and although I think its certainly not a stretch to say Liles has been better this year, Klesla is still one and a half years younger and has the raw physical tools to be a top pairing defensmen all while having to adjust to a poor (albeit promising) team around him - something Liles will probably fall just short of being because he doens't have the total physical package.
 

Foppa

Future Norris Winner
Feb 27, 2002
4,991
1
Kansas City, USA
Mephisto said:
I know Colombus ain't Colorado but it just seems like Liles has adjusted to NHL better than Klesla...

So i was wondering if they both needed reconsideration regarding their respective status.

Thx guys.

Keep in mind that Klesla had a pretty amazing rookie year for such a raw teenager and then has had to adjust in the following years. While I don't see Liles 'doomed' to a sophomore slump - its always a possibility when talking about young rookies. Sometimes as a rookie you play with no fear...but then try too hard to improve certain aspects of your game and forget that what made you good in the first place was that lack of fear. (Exhbit A: Martin Skoula) And there is no doubt that having guys like Blake and Foote as mentors has been a tremendous help to Liles.
 

Hossa

Registered User
Feb 27, 2002
9,649
274
Abroad
Visit site
Foppa said:
Preissing must be quite an impressive defensive player if he's been better than Liles in that aspect (I really don't mean that in a sarcastic way...I've not seen much of Tom this year). Liles isn't big but he's terrific positionally and has more jamb in his game than one would expect given his stature. Pierre McGuire (yes, yes...hockey 'mastermind' that he is) - is not the first and will not be the last to draw the Brian Raflaski comparison.

He's been our third best defenseman bar none and on many nights, even better. I guarantee you, that had he been a higher draft pick, he'd be getting some much hype and pub on these boards, people would be sick of it. As it is, he's going to get a lot of pub from Avs fans because of the way he's been playing.

That said...I also pick Rusty bar none becaue he's been one of my favorite young players for a long time now and although I think its certainly not a stretch to say Liles has been better this year, Klesla is still one and a half years younger and has the raw physical tools to be a top pairing defensmen all while having to adjust to a poor (albeit promising) team around him - something Liles will probably fall just short of being because he doens't have the total physical package.

I don't see nearly as much of both Preissing and Liles as I would like, to be honest. All i know is that while Preissing was known more for his offence in college, Sharks fans rave about his positional play and how he often plays against the opposition's best players with impressive success. That being said, I'll let those who see more of these two teams handle the judging of these two impressive young blueliners.
 

Legionnaire

Help On The Way
Jul 10, 2002
44,253
3,964
LA-LA Land
Ensane said:
On this site you don't find too much love for Liles. Our "esteemed" HF writers actually chose to omit him from any Norris consideration in the latest Calder watch.

Wait a second. Are you trying to say that Liles deserves Norris consideration :joker:
 

Ensane

EL GUAPO
Mar 2, 2002
15,746
69
Legionnaire said:
Wait a second. Are you trying to say that Liles deserves Norris consideration :joker:
No, please don't put words in my mouth, I don't find it amusing.











I'm trying to say that he deserves Hart consideration, duhhhh!
 

Rabid Ranger

2 is better than one
Feb 27, 2002
31,015
11,021
Murica
I don't think there's any doubt that Klesla has more upside. That being said, that shouldn't take anything from the fact Liles is having a tremendous season with Colorado, at times even running the PP from the point, while playing very solidly in his own zone. I'm just glad to see another solid American born defenseman in the NHL.
 

Rattrick

Registered User
Oct 31, 2002
12,969
0
Orlando, FL
www.rattrick.com
Ensane said:
On this site you don't find too much love for Liles. Our "esteemed" HF writers actually chose to omit him from any Norris consideration in the latest Calder watch.

:lol:

I like what I have seen from Liles, but this is just a horrible comparison.

Let's compare Blake to Therein next!
 

Ensane

EL GUAPO
Mar 2, 2002
15,746
69
luongofan said:
:lol:

I like what I have seen from Liles, but this is just a horrible comparison.

Let's compare Blake to Therein next!
Woops, stupid me.

I didn't get it first when Legionaire brought it up, but now I see it.

Tee hee...fixed.
 

Rabid Ranger

2 is better than one
Feb 27, 2002
31,015
11,021
Murica
Harry said:
klesla will become one of the elite d men in the next few years



That might very well be true, although sometimes I wonder how much time is really needed to determine a player's future.
 

db23

Guest
Liles is being used as a powerplay specialist on a very deep team that can afford to use him selectively. But his size dooms him to be a fringe defender, always just a step away from the AHL. Klesla is one of the top 10 defencemen in the game under 25.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Ad

Upcoming events

Ad

Ad

-->