Reinhart is better in pretty much every facet of the game and that includes how NHL ready he is.
I think Corban Knight is more NHL ready. I think Knight is more physically ready, plays a simpler game that will translate better to the NHL and is more effective both defensively and physically than Granlund.
Quite frankly I don't think Granlund is an NHL ready as people assume he is because of some good AHL numbers and a decent handful of NHL games. I also don't think his game will translate to the NHL as well as others do.
But the guy I quoted said nothing about being NHL ready, what he said made it sound like he thinks Granlund should pretty much be our top prospect and used 1 game as the reasoning. Which as I said it a ridiculous statement.
You assume far too much into people's comments without sitting back and thinking about context… such as the thread title which is basically all about NHL readiness which is why I had selected this thread to revive.
It's pretty clear Bennett needs more size to stick in the lineup and he can work on that.
Gaudreau… is probably closer to maxing out his growth curve and his talent will carry him over the line. The Flames will recognize that and he won't wait long in the AHL if at all.
Reinhart might (should) be ready for regular minutes but who does he knock out of the very crowded bottom six?
I feel Granlund and Baertschi will be fighting for a middle six wing spot with Jones/Setoguchi as the possible odd veteran out.
I don't see Knight sticking with this team. He'll likely make an NHL roster but it's hard to say if he'll go anywhere fast with the Flames who love to stack the bottom six with veteran FAs or older overseas PTOs as of late. I'm fine with it as it seems they're trying to keep a consistent product on the ice but it doesn't bode well for slightly older prospects/RFAs like Reinhart and Knight, and Bouma might be all the youth they want on the energy line.
Also… using the argument of 'I've seen more games' only goes so far in predicting the future. We know you watch the AHL. It doesn't mean the rest of us do not on occasion, and it certainly doesn't mean we must form the same opinion. Don Cherry watches a lot of hockey but I wouldn't want him on the Flames as a scout.
NHL scouts and journalists undoubtedly spend 20+ hours a week getting paid to watch games and follow teams… and more often than not, they're no better at prognosticating the careers of young players. Even Phaneuf was a Norris candidate once. I'm willing to wager on average and over the course of my lifetime I've followed more hockey and sports in pure hours observed and played in general than you have, but I refuse to wield my experiences as the consensus fact like you so often do. Or perhaps it's not what is said, but how it is conveyed.
Granlund is the older prospect; he has played against men and he undoubtedly should have a good showing at a tournament such as this. And it has been one meaningless prospect tournament game thus far, but he has also shown that he is doing what is expected of him since his NHL debut.
I truly feel that at this point to not have Granlund play at least another handful of games with the big club would be a waste of his current development curve and he should be given real looks at the NHL level in a middle six role sooner rather than later.
It's a different view. Take it or leave it; it doesnt really matter. It's just a game, after all.