I wouldn't say he regressed, he's just on the slow path for whatever reason I have yet to figure out because it's not ability based from what I can tell. He has the size, skating and tools. Yeah he's behind now because of it but it's not nessesarily detrimental. Clurman went to a military academy so I'd understand the desire to complete it but at some point it's tough to juggle other interests while also committing to a career in hockey.
But yeah CE makes a good argument that even if his ceiling is lower Boikov has shown more at this point than pretty much the near all imaginary upside of Clurman. The kids who haven't played pro all get the benefit of the doubt because there always exists the possibility when they play pro they just take off like a rocket and force their way into the NHL. After a year of pro they pretty much settle into their lane and it takes a lot of their bountiful upside away even though they've played a year at the pro level and accomplished some things.
Inb4 Hench says the USHL is tougher than the Q and harder to score in.
I wouldn't say tougher (similar strength), but it is undoubtedly harder to score in. Hardest top junior league to put up numbers.
Nantel... simply put the junior to AHL transition was rough and put out some big red flags to me. He was never known as a supremely athletic player, but that was the underrated part of his game in juniors. He was more agile and stronger than most of his peers. Not decidedly so, but it was noticable. He really struggled with the physical aspect and players as good as skaters as him. Instead of him looking a half step ahead, he looked a half step behind. Then we get to the reads... in juniors he played in a really strong system and looked every bit the part of smart player. Not playing in as strong of a system, and the split second less he had caused a number of mistakes that were not a part of his game before. He also couldn't really find a single role to carve out and make his, even towards the later end of his AHL season (ECHL he obviously did). These all make me question his real feel for the game and if he has enough of a tool or two to carve out a NHL role. I know... it was his first AHL year. Sometimes those are rocky. His was. It is just when I see those rocky years I can usually see something to latch onto and say 'this is how he can make the NHL.' I didn't see a single thing that screamed that to me, and it was disappointing (remember, I liked this kid and hyped him... bad call on my part). When I see what happened, I just can't double down for the sake of hope. I don't see him ever being a NHL player, and at best I see a middle 6 AHL player.
