Dr.Sens(e)
Registered User
\X-SHARKIE said:Just because he had one bad tournament shouldn't drop this guys stock so much. Anikeenko has everything you look for in a defenseman...some say he looks sluggish and say his defensive awareness needs work...both things can be fixed easily. Anikeenko has the skills to dominate, his sluggish look well go away with devoloping into his body. I saw A.J. Thelen play for the USNTDP and he looked sluggish and uncordinated... look at him now.
Your claims on saying Anikeenko isn't a top player on one tournament is quite bold statement IMO. Anikeenko is going to be a stud and already is a stud...could chalenge for a top 5 spot. With his huuuge shot, great vision and soft hands, with a mean nasty edge to his game, great size, solid skater overalll.
Don't put to much stock into one tournament... J.P. Levasseur is the best goalie in the draft and he wasn't even there. In fact before this tournament Anikeenko was very impressive at international tournaments with the U-17 team.
Well, at this point, when so many of the prospects stock is based on very little viewing at elite levels, that is exactly what happens - a bad tourney means the players stock drops. And the reality is, his stock didn't drop that much. I know a few people have discussed Anikeenko being a lottery pick, but for the most part he has been seen as a high first rounder. Such a disappointing performance at a key tourney over several games will obviously mean he's going to drop a bit. And McKeens hardly says Anikeenko won't challenge for a top spot. Quite frankly they say the opposite regarding the number of changes that will take place amongst all these players.
And I'm not saying he's not a top player. I've never seen him play. Have you seen Anikeenko play? I'm obviously at a disadvantage to those who have. But you state he has soft hands, and great vision. What are you basing this on? I haven't heard that in any of the scouting reports I've read, and I subscriber to most publications out there.
Regarding Thelan, that is all well and good, but no one was wondering why Thelan wasn't in the top 10 of the early ratings last year, which is what you're saying about Anikeenko. Are you saying players who looks sluggish and uncoordinated are going to be good? (sarcasm). Of course not. If a player looks sluggish and uncoordinated, they drop in the rankings until their games comes together. They don't get a free pass anymore than you ignore the great performances put on by players at the same tourney.