Caniacforever said:
I'm totally happy with Martin Vagner slipping to the 9th round. Despite what his current state of development is, he's a fantastic risk considering that he had the skill to once be taking in the first round of a draft.
That's a way to put it. I prefer to remember many of us said at the time he was unworthy of being a first rounder.
In a way, you are perfectly right. A team believed in him as a 1st round guy. Lots of people liked him a lot too, including certain scouting agencies who rated him pretty high.
But, lots of people thought back then he should be a second round selection, not first. So take it with a grain of salt but I saw this kid play back then and no, he never had the talent to be selected first round. Ever.
In the 9th round this year? I think it is a very solid selection if the Hurricanes list was devoid of potential breakout raw kids. I expected him to go around 7th-8th round. But this is always a case of drafting list. When your list gets thin, you take him. It's as simple as that.
Low upside but still reasonable.
I would be even more comfortable with the selection if his heart was at the right place. Because he would be perfect as a career AHLer then. But I usually prefer AHLer who are very hungry, can sustain this lifestyle and especially, who can teach the bright young kids what it takes to get a shot (sacrifices, nutrition, training, character).
He has none of that.
He remains a good pick there. I think he is a talented young man. I can tell you, he is underrated as far as his physical capabilities. Once in a while, he can absolutely rock you. But then he will play soft. This is why so many scouting reports were all over the map with him. "Not physical enough" "Physical" "Very physical".
The truth is somewhere in between. He has decent mobility but lalcks some immediate quickness. People get all mixed up with him, calling him a stay-at-home or a possible quarterback. Again, bull****. He's a two-way guy, but mediocre as far as upside. Meaning, I can't see him man a *good* powerplay and I can't see him being used to shut down top lines.
And what I especially don't like is that when he reminds me of certain NHLers, it's always for the bad sides. He's got certain negative traits of Kubina for instance, but not the positives.
He's very underwhelming but people liked him I think, because he could do a little of everything. Some hitting, some puck carrying, a solid shot from the point with decent power, some defensive awareness.
He was in an excellent Q team back then. There was lots of momentum and this team was well coached. Team performance can boost your rating up and down (which is why even the worse crap out of Red Deer usually ends up being drafted).
Note that this description above aptly applies to Michal Sersen as well. Out from the Q this year, and drafted much later than first round. Sorry, not trying to diss Vagner. I haven't followed the 04s very well so I am glad to be able to talk about one guy more in depth
With some development he could pan out. It's not like the Canes paid through the nose to get him either.
