DeuceUNO said:...that Peter Meuller could be picked 1st overall?
AnThGrt said:I think Frolik can and should be #1
AnThGrt said:I think Frolik can and should be #1
*** Rask #2 what are you smoking obviously you have the wrong person and before you make assesments why not do your research seriously thats insulting to me. Dont put words in others mouths thats complete BS i think Rask will be better then Price yes but i didnt have either in the top 10 except Rask once or twice #9 or #10. That being said yes i have seen several of these players - Once again dont go saying things without researching i dont need to be insulted openly on this boardLe Golie said:Based on what? Weren't you the guy who thought Rask should have gone in the 2nd overall this year? Do you just arbitrarily pick a name you like or have you actually seen him play?
Not saying you are wrong, but I want to know if there is any more credibility to this claim than your previous ones.
AnThGrt said:*** Rask #2 what are you smoking obviously you have the wrong person and before you make assesments why not do your research seriously thats insulting to me. Dont put words in others mouths thats complete BS i think Rask will be better then Price yes but i didnt have either in the top 10 except Rask once or twice #9 or #10. That being said yes i have seen several of these players - Once again dont go saying things without researching i dont need to be insulted openly on this board
steblick said:Ive seen both Kessel and Frolik play several times.
At the WJCs both were outstanding for their age skillwise but I'd give the edge to Frolik there because he's 6 months younger, bigger and more well-rounded. However, at the last U18s Kessel was more dominant to be sure so that puts him in the #1 position now. But Frolik is not that far behind. It's not nearly as clear cut at this point as last year's draft.
Rabid Ranger said:I suppose, although every report I've seen has Kessel firmly entrenched in the number 1 position. That could change but is IMO very unlikely. Yeah, Frolik is more well-rounded, but he simply not as dynamic as Kessel, and with the way the league is going, Kessel (along with Crosby) is what the leagues wants as the face to represent it. The fact that Kessel is an American is also going to help him. I know many don't subscribe to that theory, but I think it will play a part.
steblick said:Well, none of McKeen's, ISS, Young Guns or CSB has a ranking out yet (although ISS had a projection in June), so it's hard to make a claim about "the reports" yet. But for the record, below is a quote from Redline from The Sportsnet site:
http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/columnist.jsp;jsessionid=LFGMDJCCMHLD?content=20050909_143542_6448
"American centre Phil Kessel and Czech left winger Michael Frolik seem destined to wage a spirited horse race for the honour of being selected first overall at next summer's draft derby. Kessel has earned his designation as the pre-race favourite with a series of eye-popping performances on the international stage, including leading the States to a gold medal at the World Under-18 Championships last April as an underager. His blazing speed and quickness devastates defencemen and goalies alike, and he's a deadly natural sniper who can score in such a variety of ways.
Frolik, on the other hand, is more subtle, but no less dynamic in his own way. His uncanny anticipation and sense for the game make it seem as though he's always two steps ahead of the play, and his puck wizardry forces defenders to back off the blue line in fear".
steblick said:
Rabid Ranger said:It's possible, although I maintain that for that (or Frolik, Toews, etc) to occur, Phil Kessel will have to be an absolute bust at Minnesota this season, and I don't see that happening. Kessel might not end up the best player out of the 2006 draft class (although I believe he will), but IMO he's a virtual lock to be the number 1 overall pick. Mueller is an elite talent who I see going top five. Here's who I would have top five:
1) Kessel
2) Frolik
3) Mueller
4) Toews
5) Erik Johnson
MN_Gopher said:I think whoever if anyone unseats Kessel as number one they will have to one great year. Better then expected. Kessel put up significantly better numbers then Mueller for the u18 team. Kessel has allready established himself in internatioal play as well.
Mueller has the size and leadership over Kessel though. But he has to be able to at least come close in points. With the new open ice NHL. A speedster with a hard shot will be hard to pass up.
Mueller is in a good place. A smaller rink and a physical game. I think he should dominate this year. And really show off his talents. Too bad Kessel will be on olympic ice and on a team that likes to play lots of offense.
byeyimini said:Hi Rabid Ranger,
Could I trouble you and/or some of the other posters that have watched Frolik and Kessel to compare their abilities to some current NHL'ers ? For example, I thought I saw someone compare Kessel to Modano once. But in what way ? It helps me to get a better understanding of what a young player is like when I hear that they shoot like ???, skate like ???, have a mean streak like ???, are a leader like ???
Thanks !!