I never said the contrary , the post I was replying too made it seem like speed wasn't a factor because guys like Robitaille had great careers.
I am of the opinion that many strong players wouldn't do well in today's NHL as the game is faster than it's ever been. Doesn't mean a player that has mediocre foot speed can't have success it's just less likely. Players with elite speed always stood out to me but in previous generations of the NHL , big players were able to get away with pretty much murder. We are now in the era where the game emphasizes speed and skill to the point where the some types of players have little to no place in the NHL (Enforcers/Grinders/energy players with little skill).
This dude might actually resurrect Plekanec. So, so, so happy Vegas ****ed up and didn't take him in expansion.
Ask Robitaille how being slower hinders success...
Except Giroux is from Hearst Ontario.
I know he's not a speedster, but I never really thought he was as slow as people claim he is. Nothing that would hinder an NHL career.
Pretty sure he spent his teen years in Orleans (basically Ottawa suburb). It's also one of the more French parts.
we'll see how the preseason goes for him, I seem to recall last year he struggled a bit in the preseason. Have always been a big fan, the skill and IQ are there for sure, but it's the lack of strength, speed, skating and size that have people questioning if he can be an effective NHLer or not. I think with his smarts and skills he can overcome the rest but we'll need to see if he can do enough to earn a full time spot and then we'll need to see what he does with it if so.
I think he score 10 goals 35 points this year
How does that make him not a French Canadian exactly?
And they are both French Quebeckers, too! Hope springs eternal. Giroux was one of the top players in the NHL for a while. If Hudon is anything like him it will be great. Another guy fitting the mold you described is Deharnais, fyi.
Btw, I hope Hudon turns some heads. We will see.
I expect 25-30 pts like Lehkonen last year, more than that and it's a bonus.
I've been hearing a lot of fans on talk shows bring up Hudon's abilities as a centerman and some talk show hosts entertaining the notion.
Is that plausible that he could fill the role or is he strictly a winger at this point?
I think he score 10 goals 35 points this year
Playing a full season, I hope he can get more than 25 points. Lehkonen was 21 last year. Hudon will be 23 this year. To me, 35 isnt out of reach.
It's going to mostly depend on whether he is on the PP or not. It's very hard to produce 30+ points from the bottom-six without PP time.
Just look at how many points Drouin put up at ES for example.
It's possible, I suppose, but Hudon played very little C in the AHL. I don't see that even being a consideration unless there are some injuries to the C line.
Both correct hearst is in a region of ontario where french is more common than English, (lots of family up there).
It's going to mostly depend on whether he is on the PP or not. It's very hard to produce 30+ points from the bottom-six without PP time.
Just look at how many points Drouin put up at ES for example.