Rank these young guns

[Buffalo87]

I'm not a habs homer, but Higgins is indeed a special player. Everyone who watched him on a regular basis this year (us, habs fans and some others too) will all think he's a fantastic player. Higgins is not only about offensive production, he's about great defensive, penality killing, creating chances with his speed, he's about non-stop effort every game and he's got that something special that makes your team win. It's a little bit hard to explain, especially to someone (like you) who thinks that stats are the only predicator of how good a player is.

I was only responding to what he said (Higgins 2nd highest scorer after Olympic break) so that is why I was using stats. I realize that stats are not the only indicator of how good a player is and I never said Higgins is no good.

 

[Buffalo87]

Agreed, though it pains me as a habs fan. They're pretty comparable players, imo. Steens a better offensive player, but Higgins is a little better defensively.

I'd probably rank Steen higher than Higgins, but they're definitely in the same league.

I didn't mean one is way better than the other, I just wasn't sure what type of player Higgins is, I've only seen him play like 3 or 4 times.

 

[ChemiseBleuHonnete]

As for Steen and Higgins I would say they're very different. Steen has a better vision and more offensive upside imo. I think that Higgins is a better goal scorer and he's a more dynamic. But Steen has that extra playmaking vision that Higgins lacks. If you need someone to start to offense for your line Steen is your choice. But if you need a clutch goal scorer, versatile and intense player to fill a spot on the first, second or even third line, it depens how your team works, then I would say that Higgins is more valuable.

 

[ozolinsh]

Gilbert Brule
Alex Steen
Alexander Radulov
Steve Bernier
Petr Prucha
Mikko Koivu
Chris Higgins
Chuck Kobasew
Rob Schremp
Raffi Torres

 

[ChemiseBleuHonnete]

I didn't mean one is way better than the other, I just wasn't sure what type of player Higgins is, I've only seen him play like 3 or 4 times.

He's a hard worker and he's fast, great shot release and he can release his wrist shot while in acceleration. His wrist shot is very fast but it's not very accurate, but it's not too bad. He's everywhere on the ice. Sometimes, you wonder if there's two Higgins on the ice at the same time since he's always in the action. He's clutch too. He's got good puck skills and he's wonderful on the pk and defensively. Below-average playmaker and well that's it.

 

[s7ark]

10 - Raffi Torres EDM 24 (Two way grinder able to chip in offensively from time to time. Could possibly take his game to an even higher level and become a top power forward, but the odds of this happening grow thinner every year.)

Hmmm I think you might be selling Torres a bit short.

 

[Squeaky]

I didn't mean one is way better than the other, I just wasn't sure what type of player Higgins is, I've only seen him play like 3 or 4 times.

The player Higgins gets compared to most, particularly by habs brass, is Jere Lehtinen. So, if you're talking about the sort of player you want on your team to win a cup, Higgins should do pretty well.

Now there's a world of difference between comparing players, and actually being simillar, and suchlike. Just trying to give you an idea of the sort of player the habs are hoping he'll become.

 

[puck_08]

PLAYER TEAM AGE
Steve Bernier SJ 21
Christopher Higgins MTL 23
Gilbert Brule CBJ 19
Raffi Torres EDM 24
Petr Prucha NYR 23
Alexander Steen TOR 22
Robbie Schremp EDM 20
Chuck Kobasew CGY 24
Mikko Koivu MIN 23
Alexander Radulov NSH 20

 

[rigger]

10 - Raffi Torres EDM 24 (Two way grinder able to chip in offensively from time to time. Could possibly take his game to an even higher level and become a top power forward, but the odds of this happening grow thinner every year.)

I have to think you haven't watch Torres much,eh? He is an impact player. If he isn't scoring he is usually hitting people twice his size on their butts.

In two full NHL season (interrupted by the lock out) he has scored 20 and 27 goals. He is better known for his hits but he is a scorer too.

 

[Mobbex]

I have to think you haven't watch Torres much,eh? He is an impact player. If he isn't scoring he is usually hitting people twice his size on their butts.

In two full NHL season (interrupted by the lock out) he has scored 20 and 27 goals. He is better known for his hits but he is a scorer too.

Point taken. Power forwards need more time to develop than other types of forwards. I wouldn't say he is an impact player, but he is a physical, strong two way player with intriguing offensive upside. I did see a lot of Torres last season, and I was impressed by his physical play and grit. He is no Bertuzzi, but he could evolve into a player very much like what Mike Knuble was for the Flyers last year, statistically speaking. That's rather unlikely to happenin my opinion, but who knows...

 

[the Maniac]

1 - Gilbert Brule CBJ 19 (Complete offensive package. Excellent leader and clutch performer. Future top line center with unlimited potential. Injuries might lower his ceiling tough.)

2 - Alexander Radulov NSH 20 (Great skill set. His motor never stops running. Should become a top line winger.)

3 - Petr Prucha NYR 23 (Tremendous upside. Great finisher with an superior work ethic. Badly needs to bulk up or he will be injured every season. Top six goalscorer with a very high ceiling.)

4 - Robbie Schremp EDM 20 (Boom or bust type of prospect. Might become an Art Ross contender or a mere power play specialist.)

5 - Alexander Steen TOR 22 (Top six playmaker with strong defensive play and sound leadership. Wise pick by the leafs.)

6 - Christopher Higgins MTL 23 (A future captain with 30/30 potential. Good two way player in the making)

7 - Steve Bernier (A quality prospect who is projected to become a second line scoring power forward.)

8 - Chuck Kobasew CGY 24 (Has good wheels and on ice awareness. His offensive gifts are obvious and his point totals would probalby be higher on another team. Second line two way speedster with several 50 poinst + seasons ahead of him.)

9 - Mikko Koivu MIN 23 (Still hasn't reached expectations. Will never be a high scoring center but he should become a good two way pivot with enough upside to play on the second line.)

10 - Raffi Torres EDM 24 (Two way grinder able to chip in offensively from time to time. Could possibly take his game to an even higher level and become a top power forward, but the odds of this happening grow thinner every year.)

Thanks a lot everybody for your heartfelt responses... especially Mobbex Thanks for the detailed descriptions.

For the record I'm in a lifetime pool and these are 10 of my best young players on my roster... it's purely an offense-specific pool (goals and assists) but getting your insights has been enlightening!

Makes me proud to have assembled a bunch of great offensive stars!!

Thanks again... keep on discussing... it's great reading!

< M >

 

[Buffalo87]

The player Higgins gets compared to most, particularly by habs brass, is Jere Lehtinen. So, if you're talking about the sort of player you want on your team to win a cup, Higgins should do pretty well.

Now there's a world of difference between comparing players, and actually being simillar, and suchlike. Just trying to give you an idea of the sort of player the habs are hoping he'll become.

If that is the type of player he is then I would definitly say he is the type of player you would want on your team to win a cup.

 

[DEVILS ALL THE WAY*]

Gilbert Brule
Chris Higgins
Alex Steen
Alexander Radulov
Steve Bernier
Petr Prucha
Rob Schremp
Mikko Koivu
Raffi Torres
Chuck Kobasew

C'mon.... Higgins over Bernier, Torres, Radulov, Schremp and Prucha I understand you like the Habs, but trust me, if Bob Gainey had the chance to trade Higgins for any of those players above, he'll do it in a heartbeat.

 

[Buffalo87]

C'mon.... Higgins over Bernier, Torres, Radulov, Schremp and Prucha I understand you like the Habs, but trust me, if Bob Gainey had the chance to trade Higgins for any of those players above, he'll do it in a heartbeat.

I see you only have 8 posts, you will soon find out why Talent Analyst has Higgins 2nd.

 

[DEVILS ALL THE WAY*]

I haven't been on the HF's forum for long (as you could tell by the # of post I have) but it seems that there's alot of "homer" picks going on here.

 

[Buffalo87]

I haven't been on the HF's forum for long (as you could tell by the # of post I have) but it seems that there's alot of "homer" picks going on here.

You will soon learn that will happen way too often here.

 

[DEVILS ALL THE WAY*]

You will soon learn that will happen way too often here.

Thanks for the heads-up. I'm not a HABS hater, but it always looks as there prospects are above others. For example, Kostitsyn over Brule (in a previous post)or Higgins over ..... They do have excellent prospects but maybe RDS over hypes them a bit to much.

 

[Squeaky]

Thanks for the heads-up. I'm not a HABS hater, but it always looks as there prospects are above others. For example, Kostitsyn over Brule (in a previous post)or Higgins over ..... They do have excellent prospects but maybe RDS over hypes them a bit to much.

There are a few habs posters you'll learn to ignore, that or you'll grow a massive anti-habs bias.

Here's my list:

Alexander Radulov
Gilbert Brule
Steve Bernier
Alex Steen
Chris Higgins
Petr Prucha
Rob Schremp
Raffi Torres
Mikko Koivu
Chuck Kobasew

I should mention that I've got a bit of a bias against Schremp, which is likely influencing my results. I'm also going on overall, rather than just points potential.

 

[Lessy]

Who I would most want on my team is how I'll rank them I guess based on who has the most upside:

Brule
Radulov
Bernier
Prucha
Steen
Schremp
Torres
Koivu
Higgins
Kobasew

 

[martinc]

Radulov
Brule
Bernier
Higgins
Steen
Schremp
Torres
Koivu
Prucha
Kobasew

 

[McRanger]

Radulov
Brule
Bernier
Higgins
Steen
Schremp
Torres
Koivu
Prucha
Kobasew

Koivu over Prucha? Interesting. I guess 30 goals in 68 games as a rookie just isnt what it used to be, huh?

 

[rikker]

Gilbert Brule
Steve Bernier
Alexander Radulov
Petr Prucha
Alex Steen
Chris Higgins
Rob Schremp
Mikko Koivu
Raffi Torres
Chuck Kobasew