What exactly does Chris Kreider have with Dave Keon?
Excellent question. One I've been asking for years.
Originally drafted as a C and unknown that he would fill out into a power F, I said that given someone in NY said he was a top 5 NHL calibre skater when drafted, Keon was the best case scenario of Kreider's upside. Keon turned out to be a much better shooter, better passer also. But at the time before CK bulked up -- thankfully the added muscle did not reduce his speed --- it was an apt comparison: a pivot whose exceptional speed offered potential for star quality performance.
No. You did not characterize the comparison that way at the time.
You said he was the next Keon, not solely based on speed or a best-case scenario, which is why the most absurd player comparison I've ever seen endures years after the fact. Don't cower and distance yourself from it now simply because the message board doesn't leave any traces of your hilariously off-base evaluation. Own it.
I owned it before, during, after and up to current time and beyond.
I DID make a conditional assessment.
As it was based on those conditions, it was not an off base evaluation.
It was correct for what it was as it was in the beginning.
As those conditions changed, I updated my assessment.
I expected him to remain a pivot.
I knew he was a kid who could put on the weight and that could bulk him up, so that is why my remarks WERE reserved.
While Kreider still has elite speed as did Keon, I expected he might be a better shooter. He has a hard shot, but while on net usually it is not effective at finding a hole as much as I'd like. Still, his speed, now enhanced by a power frame, is effective not only in front of the net, but also at creating separation.
So what I said was more accurate before the added muscle when he was a skinny C a la Keon [DK more talented than CK].
Since the change in physique and position, those new developments did not make the analogy as close a comparison as before. I said so back then commensurate with same taking place.
I had also hoped earlier on that coming up as a pivot he might have had better puck handling skills. His are good, but greatness requires what McDavid or MacKinnon have, and while I hoped for that, I never said Kreider had that.
Kreider remains an effective catalyst, he is able to single handedly dominate for stretches at a time, as he did 2nd quarter in Toronto playoffs in prior season. Like everyone, chemistry is usually a factor and he is playing better with the more talented Zib than with Stepan. Put CK with top talent and he will more than hold up his end to top results.
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I'm glad this thread was resurrected.
I have been crushed with a lot of stuff and have not posted as much as desired and have had to let some remarks like yours go bye.
Til now.
I was very forthright then as I am forthright now.
Right or wrong, I call them, honestly, as I see them.
There was nothing I did not "own" back then. Or now.
Your comments were a cheap shot.
Consider yourself rebuked and repudiated.
