Yes, he’s a different player but he faced similar criticisms.
Bossy was pretty much exactly the same case as Eiserman. “He can’t play defense. He’s too soft. Perimeter player etc..”Went 16th and went on to become one of the best players of all time.
Hull was a pure shooter who couldn’t do half of what Eiserman can now. That’s why he went so late.
It just goes to show you that shooting can take you a long way.
Sure. And you can include me in that group. But he’s not terrible and is a lot better than Marner. His problem is that he’s surrounded by finesse players and no defensive help. It’s a really bad mix.
Bossy had Trottier, Hull had Oates… Eiserman would need a solid center, no doubt. But he can skate and he can shoot. On the right club he could be insanely good. He’s also one of the youngest players in the draft. Give him good coaching and teammates and he could be a superstar.
I understand why people are walking away from him, I do. But he has serious potential. If he goes to the right team he’ll be great. If he goes somewhere without support? He has a good chance of failure.
Kessel was a real talent in 2006. He had a lot attitude concerns. He had what seems to be a crazy hockey mom. He had two high drafted players from the previous years openly have issues with him, one of which called him a dirt bag. Before being paired with Malkin and Crosby, two of the three best players of his generation, he was ran out of both of his teams. Heck, Malkin couldn't stand him. That's a lot of baggage for someone who's always been pretty good in the playoffs.
But I don't think that's the issue with Eiserman, he doesnt seem like a kid with character issues. The worries are where his game is going and how he's competing when it's not about shooting. Some of his games were worrying. I'm not denying the skill or how goal scoring is the hardest thing to do. But I'm wary about how translatable what he's doing will be. For example, I always disagreed with the criticism that was directed at Lucas Raymond during his draft year. If you looked at him play, he was actually making a lot of translatable and highly, highly skilled plays for a 17 year old in the SHL.
That said, I can't disagree with your overall point Yes, serious potential. Yes, a good support system will help. What's hard is we don't have access to all the information we need to do the whole due diligence. If this management team picks him, it's because they did their homework. Hughes isn't someone who takes these issues lightly.