- Feb 24, 2012
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Donskoi isn’t a stupid hockey player?
I'd call him average.
Donskoi isn’t a stupid hockey player?
Compared to Pool party he's a smart hockey player.Donskoi isn’t a stupid hockey player?
I'd call him average.
Yeah I’ve hated him for some time. I always hate players with zero positional awareness. Donskoi, Kerfoot, Mitchell etc. guys that try to play every position at once and constantly get into their teammates way. Donskoi got a crap load of points piggy backing off Nate early on which was great but my mind instead goes to thinking how many plays died as a result of Donskoi getting in the way or doing something stupid.CE has just had this unfounded dislike for Donskoi for a long time now.
He's a versatile(Yes Versatile) player. He can play anywhere in your Top 9, he can kill penalties, and he can be a secondary PP guy.
That is about as versatile as it gets really. For 3.9M theres not a lot of forwards on our team I'd take over him right now.
Also Donskoi is a very East-West player which frustrates me since the entire team identity is North South. His side to side dipsy doodling causes a lot of people to have to stop at the blue line to prevent going offside even though the system they play is for everyone to enter at full speed.
CE has just had this unfounded dislike for Donskoi for a long time now.
He's a versatile(Yes Versatile) player. He can play anywhere in your Top 9, he can kill penalties, and he can be a secondary PP guy.
That is about as versatile as it gets really. For 3.9M theres not a lot of forwards on our team I'd take over him right now.
No ones arguing that he’s an integral piece for the Avs. But swapping him for Pulju is mind numbingly stupid.He’s not alone.
Just because Donskoi can fill those roles in a pinch doesn’t mean he’s particularly good at any of them. I’d drop Donskoi to keep Nuke and/or Names in a heartbeat. Pool party is more of a stretch but I wouldn’t be losing sleep over it.
The phrase “versatile as it gets” in regards to Donskoi is outrageously rose-tinted. He kept his head above water when the top line had injuries but he wasn’t noticeably better than other 3rd liners have been when given an extended run with MacK.
He serves his purpose but let’s not act like he’s the glue holding the team together in troubled times.
I don't think he's wrong in saying that Donskoi is a top-6-or-bust sort of player.CE has just had this unfounded dislike for Donskoi for a long time now.
He's a versatile(Yes Versatile) player. He can play anywhere in your Top 9, he can kill penalties, and he can be a secondary PP guy.
That is about as versatile as it gets really. For 3.9M theres not a lot of forwards on our team I'd take over him right now.
You don’t have to agree but I think calling me mind numbingly is a little Harsh.No ones arguing that he’s an integral piece for the Avs. But swapping him for Pulju is mind numbingly stupid.
Mind numbingly stupid was a bit much, but that wasn’t meant as a personal barb at all. I just think the idea of trading any useful player for Pulju is really dumb. As for his development sure he’s better than Dong was at 21 and there is some potential but I think that wouldn't be a smart move for where the Avs are currently.You don’t have to agree but I think calling me mind numbingly is a little Harsh.
At the same age, on the same team in the same league Joonas Donskoi couldn’t hold the jockstrap of what Jesse Puljujärvi did this season. He also costs like 4 times more and is 6 years older. I’m not mind mumblingly stupid for thinking Puljujärvi can eventually be a better hockey player than Joonas Donskoi.
I do. But that's beside the point.Also, re: Puljujarvi. I don't know if he's as dumb as he's got this reputation for. I mean he's tearing up Liiga which, I get might not be the most difficult thing in the world for him, but he clearly is showing the ability to dominate there.
Gotta keep in mind that while Finns start learning English when they're seven now, previously (like Puljujärvi) eight or nine years old, it's a very verrry divergent language to Finnish. The guy is, I would throw out an educated guess, somewhat likely to have some level of learning or language deficiency and that doesn't bode well to learning a language completely different in its phonetics to your mother tongue. Not to mention the northern region, I'm afraid to say, appears to be doing somewhat poorly in regards to reading and L2.He also looked too good for the AHL during his stints in Bakersfield.
I think the biggest issue with Puljujarvi - and it's something that probably hasn't improved being in Finland - is the English language barrier. Dude straight up can't speak the language, and probably has no idea what coaches/teammates are saying.
I think a guy like Mikko would be fantastic for him. But it's also on Puljujarvi to learn. Because if he's hell bent on not learning English and just doing things his way, he's going to be Liiga/KHL bound his entire career.
Like I said, it might not be the most difficult thing in the world for him. But 53 points in 56 games while Donskoi, at the same age on the same team, put up 14 points in 31 games, might be a sign that there's something to be found with Puljujarvi. Like always, not all progression is linear and something might have clicked for Donskoi afterwards that just won't for Pulujarvi. But I don't think he's going to end up as some non-NHL playing bust. I think there's absolutely an NHLer there, just from the raw talent alone.I do. But that's beside the point.
For funsies, off the top of my head let me rattle off a list of very successful Liiga players in the last ~15 years: Ryan Vesce, Ryan Keller, Ben Eaves, Steve Moses, Steve Kariya, Shayne Toporowski, Daniel Corso, Eric Perrin, Stephen Dixon, Ryan Lasch, Tomas Zaborsky, Justin Danforth...
Sound good? I know, I know, but sound like a good bunch?
I'm not denying this part here, because he does seem reluctant to learn and listen, and his ex-Oilers teammates have anonymously said as much. But if he somehow had a magical change of heart where he was willing to listen and learn, there could be something there.Gotta keep in mind that while Finns start learning English when they're seven now, previously (like Puljujärvi) eight or nine years old, it's a very verrry divergent language to Finnish. The guy is, I would throw out an educated guess, somewhat likely to have some level of learning or language deficiency and that doesn't bode well to learning a language completely different in its phonetics to your mother tongue. Not to mention the northern region, I'm afraid to say, appears to be doing somewhat poorly in regards to reading and L2.
Add to that that the guy is probably very hesitant (as Finns tend to be, even with no reason) to speak even the little English he does know. I didn't mean to go on a rant, but it's an interest.
Well, of course there's perceived potential with Puljujärvi, but Donskoi never played a flashy game or really a scoring role even. (He does have two FEL championships to show for it though.) He's a grinder who was able to develop his overall game to a high enough level over time. Donskoi had NHL potential when he was drafted. And there are plenty of players who can't put it together at all. Look at f***ing Yakupov.Like I said, it might not be the most difficult thing in the world for him. But 53 points in 56 games while Donskoi, at the same age on the same team, put up 14 points in 31 games, might be a sign that there's something to be found with Puljujarvi. Like always, not all progression is linear and something might have clicked for Donskoi afterwards that just won't for Pulujarvi. But I don't think he's going to end up as some non-NHL playing bust. I think there's absolutely an NHLer there, just from the raw talent alone.
It would honestly depend on what his capabilities actually are of learning English. Without certain phonological processing skills it's just not really up to putting your mind to it.I'm not denying this part here, because he does seem reluctant to learn and listen, and his ex-Oilers teammates have anonymously said as much. But if he somehow had a magical change of heart where he was willing to listen and learn, there could be something there.
Agreed, Donskoi is a good player and if he's the only player people can find faults with then that means we have a good team. Sadly though this isn't exactly the case considering who we got on defence, which is why all this talk about him is misplaced.CE has just had this unfounded dislike for Donskoi for a long time now.
He's a versatile(Yes Versatile) player. He can play anywhere in your Top 9, he can kill penalties, and he can be a secondary PP guy.
That is about as versatile as it gets really. For 3.9M theres not a lot of forwards on our team I'd take over him right now.
Like I said, it might not be the most difficult thing in the world for him. But 53 points in 56 games while Donskoi, at the same age on the same team, put up 14 points in 31 games, might be a sign that there's something to be found with Puljujarvi. Like always, not all progression is linear and something might have clicked for Donskoi afterwards that just won't for Pulujarvi. But I don't think he's going to end up as some non-NHL playing bust. I think there's absolutely an NHLer there, just from the raw talent alone.
I'm not denying this part here, because he does seem reluctant to learn and listen, and his ex-Oilers teammates have anonymously said as much. But if he somehow had a magical change of heart where he was willing to listen and learn, there could be something there.
Doubt it. Sakic wouldn't trade Jan Hejda at the deadline, and EJ has done so much more for this team.I wonder, if the NHL gave every team an opportunity to use 1 compliance buyout in any contract this summer after we lose the 2020 season and see a 2-3M cap decrease.... Would Sakic have the balls to use it on EJ?