Wrong. He's "overrated" because he constantly make fans stand out of their chairs on regular shifts. He's overrated because he's so skilled. He's overrated because he makes some of the most homer commentators on the planet - The Colorado commentator team - cream in their pants when he's on. He's overrated because his season of highlights is enough for an entire career for really good NHL players. All of this doesn't make him overrated, it proves the point that he's really special. Oh, how did he do in his first playoff? Quite well, as a leading pup on a team no one counted on to go far at all. So, really well. 17 games played, 7 goals, 11 assists, 18 points, 2 GWG. And most of his points were highlights reels, even in the playoffs. AND he worked really hard defensively with success.
Well, at least he's Datsyuk junior so far. I just hope he's brave enough to not become systematic and just continue to do his creative things out there. A couple of years older and he could consistently break ankles. Apart from the sublime saucer passes and the awesome wrister, snapper, one-timer, backhand or slapshot of course.
Barzal vs Pettersson in speed? They're dead even. We're talking decimals here. I don't think you understand how fast Pettersson can skate. Have you seen the All-Star competitions? McDavid beats them by decimals of a second. And with a puck, McDavid is the best, but claiming Barzal is faster? I just have to say: naw. If so, by inches. In edge work, both understand edge work. Pettersson is just a more complete player than Barzal. More tools in his repertoire, as to speak.
No, he's better than the next Näslund. Näslund couldn't beat guys 1 on 1 like he can (although he was also very slick), he couldn't pass like that, he couldn't shoot like that. And Pettersson's potential is the Swedish Gretzky. Not Gretzky, no one can ever more pour in as many points against teams gliding on the leather of their skates on the bottom lines and standup goalies without a goalie coach. And to not forget, the caveman defense. Gretzky was just ahead of his time.
When Pettersson has matured a couple of years, I guarantee he will be top 5, apart from injuries. And now he knows of the famous Jagr ass technique, so that seems like a good bet. When people recognize a great potential in a player and cannot decide if they want to call him the next Datstyuk, Bure, Gretzky, two Sedins in one, etc, you know that player has alot of qualities, because he does alot of things those other players were known for.
"Quiet"
