I had the lowest vote for Cyclone Taylor...I didn't think that would be the case, as I didn't think I was uniquely "against" him...after reading more stories about him, he struck me as more of a one-man sideshow more than anything...but that's a cruel way of putting it. I don't know, the reports left a bad taste in my mouth for some reason...I didn't feel there was enough substance vs. the competition.
Espo was getting grilled for not being a complete center and product of Orr and all that...Taylor seems like Konstantin Koltsov vs. my beer league but on a larger level. I don't say that to sell the league he played in short (it was hyperbolic, at best), but it just seemed like he was faster than everyone in the half-league. I don't get the impression that he was an amazing playmaker, I don't get the impression he was great defensively...
I had him up there on my original list, and then as I learned more, a shroud of doubt settled over him for me...he's Michael Grabner in a league of Luke Schenn's...
AIUI, and really I have no intention of sullying a good name, but I feel compelled to challenge this wind-driven grandstander for my own education, it's the Patricks that are most often called singing his praises about how he's less of a switchblade and more of a Swiss Army Knife...aren't they the very people that bribed him over to the West? Are there any other notable names that praise his abilities beyond his speed and rushing ability?
I'm guessing it's me that's slow on the up-take, but the analysis on Cyclone seems somewhat incomplete to me, I was hoping another round would allow Taylor and Lalonde research to really go full-steam ahead...