MojoJojo said:
How has Kostytsin looked? Red line gushed about the guy but he's been very underwhelming in the AHL.
"Back home" in Habsville, I'm classified as a Kostitsyn doubter. But I think he'll probably make it. His numbers have been underwhelming in the AHL, yes. Those who say he might be a better NHLer than AHLer aren't purely indulging in wishful thinking, though, IMHO. He did look pretty good when he was up with the big team. The tools are all still there, it's just a matter of him figuring out how to employ them consistently.
Now, you can say that about a lot of guys who busted too, of course. But Kostitsyn's tools really are shiny and slick enough that he should be able to stick somewhere in the NHL someday, even if it ends up that he always seems to be one of those underachieving 2nd-line offensive types who gets 15-20 goals on a weak team, always looks like he should be doing more, but still is the best thing that sad team has. Of course, if he finds a way to apply himself consistently and make use of his teammates more, he could be better than that. Or if he runs into the wrong series of coaches at the wrong time, that 15-20 goal 2nd line offensive role might be shortened drastically.
Anyway, if people are going to make a list of 2003 1st round players who
might bust, then Kostitsyn
does deserve to be there if Boyle and Stuart do, IMO. I wonder if Nilsson or Pouliot couldn't also receive similar doubting looks, though?