Form and Substance
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- Jun 11, 2004
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The ''he's not in the same class as x.y'' argument I find is really really frighteningly dumb. For god's sake the top 10 of this draft class are all ''on the same planet''.
X-SHARKIE said:Peter Mueller is one of the most underated players in this draft crop and I too wouldn't be surprised to see Americans go 1-2-3. But I think the Toews hype has caught on strong, and he's one hell of a player and should go 2 or 3.... if i'm picking second though I probally would go with E. Johnson... the kid is a horse and has really impressed me at the WJC's, I still would like to see more poise with the puck when he distributes it though, on the outlet he seems to just play race horse hockey and skate it up, I would like to see him make a nice long feed once out of hiz own zone.
Nicklas Backstrom was excellent at the U-18's last year and his accomplishments in the SEL this year have caught my attention, and now he is carrying team Sweden at a tender age in the WJC's... he could go top five.
1. Kessel
2. Johnson
3. Toews
4. Mueller
5. Backstrom
Booya!
Leachmeister2000 said:The ''he's not in the same class as x.y'' argument I find is really really frighteningly dumb. For god's sake the top 10 of this draft class are all ''on the same planet''.
He has 8 assists with a 5 point (4 on the PP) game against Norway. Kessel has not lived up to the hype this tourney, plain and simple. He seems like your every year, average 1st overall pick to me. I wouldn't doubt if Eric Johnson takes #1 overall. Kessel is not a "special" talent.Rush5Collapse5 said:Wait Kessel is tied for the lead in WJC scoring so far and he's done very little?
Wow.
And where is Toews on that WJC scoring leaders list?
ryz said:He has 8 assists with a 5 point (4 on the PP) game against Norway. Kessel has not lived up to the hype this tourney, plain and simple. He seems like your every year, average 1st overall pick to me. I wouldn't doubt if Eric Johnson takes #1 overall. Kessel is not a "special" talent.
Are you talking about the only move the kid has?Rush5Collapse5 said:You couldn't tell by the way the normally bias Pierre McGuire was talking when he said after one of Kessel's dazzling moves, "Kessel is electrifying".
CalgaryFan1988 said:From what I have heard it is going to depend on who gets the #1 pick. Toews' game is described as more of a 2 way game, where as Kessel is described as 1 dimensional, and as far as US having more high pics, stands to reason, after winning the Under 18 and being the early favourites to win the WJHC its understandable. But nothing is in stone until after draft day, so voice opinions but why argue?
L3DZ3P said:Are you talking about the only move the kid has?
AgentNaslund said:Toews is a real good player. He can play offence and he can play defence, but I really doubt he will be the number 1 pick. Kessel owns the number 1 spot right now, and it will take some dramatics if hes not the number 1 pick.
BigE said:The word invisible has no place in a hockey guru's vocabulary. If you can't see a player on the ice, you're not watching, and if you're not watching, what are you talking about?
Here's the theory: those that claim a player is invisible merely fail to see anything in a hockey game but the speed and noise of the match. Any player that comes with speed, or makes some noise will be recognized. Those that make the subtle, unheralded play are often left without due credit. It's a shame, really.
Kessel is popular with the common folk because he's dynamic (i.e., generates speed and makes noise), but don't make the mistake of judging him to be the best player available in 2006 because that is still very much up in the air.
Silly comments here. I liked Golie's post though.
TransportedUpstater said:I actually agree with you for the first time ever
BigE said:Normally, I don't get on a prospect like this, but something about him just stinks. Maybe it was the interview I saw of him on the pre-tournament show, or the games that I've watched so far this year. I hate saying he's a punk, but that's exactly what he looks like.
BigE said:I should elaborate further on Kessel.
Although he's been far from horrendous this tournament (and everyone will point to his stats) he's failed to elevate his game from last year's tournament to this one. Now that teams are paying him more attention he's starting to falter under pressure. Exhibit A - his individual play.
Normally, I don't get on a prospect like this, but something about him just stinks. Maybe it was the interview I saw of him on the pre-tournament show, or the games that I've watched so far this year. I hate saying he's a punk, but that's exactly what he looks like.
On the other side of the American coin is Mueller - this kid I really, really like! Speed, size, some finesse; a very good combination. I've yet to hear anything of his ethic and dedication off ice, but from all indications he is a sound player on ice.
Rush5Collapse5 said:..Or maybe it's just that you cant stomach that Toews has been completely invisible and Kessel is tied for the WJC scoring lead.
hmm..
TransportedUpstater said:Toews hasn't been invisible. Scoresheets don't tell the whole story.
Take any stats against Norway with a massive grain of salt. The same situation will apply against Italy in Torino.
Rush5Collapse5 said:Oh then I can take Toews stats against Norway with a grain of salt?
How much did he score in that game? Must have been tons since I can take them with a grain of salt.
Mallard said:So many people got caught up in Kessel's hype last year that they can't appreciate him as a solid top-rate player this year.
Mueller is a mini beast and I am in absolute love with his game.
Balej's Dance said:Which makes an essential point. I am in love with Jordan Staal's game. You like Mueller. Someone else will defend Kessel till they die--no names. Another will pimp Erik Johnson like theres no tomorrow.
When you get to the draft, noone will have the same draftboard. This kind of discussion happens every year, and people fail to open their eyes. Worse, they slander and call names if you don't like their player.
Also, on Kessel. Its because of last years hype. And because he's a letdown of a prospect when you pit him against a Crosby or Ovechkin.