Dr_Chimera said:
The kind of hype that surrounds Spezza, Bouwmeester and Robbie Schremp is pertinent to point out that it is what it is - primarily hype.
In each of the three cases, there are other players (mostly Euros) who have passed each of the three in terms of value.
For Spezza, it's Kovalchuk. For Schremp, it's (count them) Ovechkin, Olesz, Malkin, Barker, ehhh... For Bouwmeester - Pitkanen is a much better young blueliner and, of course Rick Nash.
Certain publications unprofessionally hype these kids when they're 13, 14, 15 - saying that they're the next big thing, but ironically it is almost every time that a few players come out of the "shadows" to get drafted ahead of these guys.
Which proves one thing - (if the Dan Cleary case tells us anything) - the first real read you get on the kids is when they're 17 (in a few rare cases 16). What is different about Thornton is that he started to get his dues mostly around the ages of 16 and 17.
You can also argue that Euros get less hype being overseas and out of the spotlight which is mainly existent in North America.
You're right about the coverge/exposure they get here. That has been really unfair in the past and I've agreed with you on this. But IMO, this has ALL CHANGED since Kovalchuk.
I remember when Spezza was talked about, WAY before he was drafted. He was the talk of the hockey world and then slowly, a small lot of observers spoke of Kovalchuk. There was a LOT of resistance. But some folks listened. And the closer we got to the draft, the less resistance there was. And even at the draft, there was still resistance, but it was smaller. Even today, there is still resistance as some people have refused to see he is simply awesome but hey, that makes for good comic relief.
I think that whole acceptance of Kovalchuk as a big surprise (for many)has turned out to be one HELL of a player was painful, slow but that it opened a lot of eyes. I have sensed a DRASTIC change since then.
Now a lot of people are having an eye on Russia and Finland... and on a lesser scale all Europe. People are looking for those gems. And I am now seeing a slight turn of the table.
In effect, I think some people are now placing a little too much hope in some Euros. I've talked for months about Ruutu being one of them
He is a fine player, I love the tools and the way he plays but he's been overhyped and some of that has to do with the Euro mystique surrounding him.
I haven't made up my mind on Ovechkin because I haven't seen him enough but from the WJC sample I got on TV, I think he could disapoint some folks who have labelled him a messiah.
A website like this one, where we are reading comments from all over the world, has really opened things up, at least compared to a few years ago. We are witnessing, IMO, some important steps towards a true international platform for hockey.
Now, on to subject number 2: I strongly disagree with you on your Pitkanen/Bouwmeester read. They both look absolutely phenomenal but I don't think Pitkanen is a better player and most likely, he won't be as good as J-Bo when all is said and done. I know there is something you don't like about J-Bo but I just don't see it this way, even after close examination. He's a quiet type and the best hope to one day be a Lidstrom in the NHL, IMO of course.
I gotta give you some props. I remember you were an early believer in Nash. He is surprising me!