I like Beacons passion, his game synopsis’s and some of his posts. The strict league comparison to evaluate a players future annoys me. But he knows quite a bit about hockey. Trying to be teaching people manners here is about as pointless as buying an ab exercise contraption that’ll “guarantee a flat stomach!”!
Same here. I respect his contributions but also understand the frustration by others. It's not an exact science, it's not something as simple as saying "Well, Manny Malhotra is the best 8th overall pick in the last 20 years so we can't expect a first line player". It's a narrative based on something, but it isn't really a given. The draft is a lottery in itself (aside from the obvious draft lottery). I do agree that the last few years, scouting has gotten a lot better and there are fewer busts in the top-15 of the picks compared to the 80s and 90s.
Eh I don't even care about that so much. It is just the reeking entitlement. Pointing to when you were right in the past as a way to justify being pissed off that people don't feel like listening to your preaching now... it's just like someone who sees their self as oh so smart and goes on and on on the the internet.
Think of it like this: pretend this forum is just a local bar that a bunch of us go to. If he was going on about this stuff in the bar the way he does here anyone that heard the first few words would just walk away, hell he might even get kicked out of the bar for just being a pain. Throw on top being mad at others for not wanting to listen to his rant [regardless of how right he thinks he is] just makes it laughable.
I don't really get involved too much in the discussion about AHL players because I just don't watch the games. My "expertise" is Europe-based players. I've seen a lot of Virta (business trips to Helsinki), Lias, Dahlin (CHL games in Switzerland, Austria, Czech Republic and some games in Sweden when visiting friends), Shestyorkin, Rykov (since I watch those games on TV regularly). When it comes to draft prospects, I have seen my fair share of Boqvist, Bokk etc. I just don't have time (or the energy) to spend an hour writing a report every time I watch a game. I go to the arena to experience the atmosphere, to enjoy the game. While doing that, I focus on certain players, yes. But after the game, I am usually left with an overall feeling of that player. This is why I never really go into detail on certain plays but for instance regarding Lias Andersson, I post about my overall impression. What I notice during the game. How he is great at positioning, reading the game etc. The same way I notice Boqvist being very composed and calm in his own zone despite being 17 years old.
However, I don't try to lecture people on prospects. It's all subjective any way. Sometimes you are confident a player has what it takes and it turns out you were wrong. I remember vividly that me and
@Joey Bones were delighted with us picking Brad Morrison. In 2010, I was excited about Shane McColgan. Certain players just wow you with the way they play and fail to take that next step. It doesn't mean that they were certain busts. If we can't have our own opinions, what the f***ing point of coming here, right? That's the beauty of these prospect threads. Everyone sees it different. It gets annoying when BS arguments are used like "can't skate", "lazy player", or "soft Euro".