Mrb1p
PRICERSTOPDAPUCK
He's 18yrs old and you're already claiming that he's responsible for the entire organization's future.
I think you're getting ahead of yourself and the odds that Kotkaniemi himself, all alone, is going to carry this organization, are extremely low.
He's not Sidney Crosby, even he needed Malkin, Letang.
He's not Connor McDavid...he's the best player in the game and that's not enough for Edmonton.
We love to make heroes and then turn them into zeroes when they don't meet our unrealistic expectations.
Why do you have to go full tilt ? Can't he just be Kotkaniemi ? A 1C that people look at and are kind of jealous ? Can't the Habs develop ONE single superstar center ? He was not drafted to be a 2C, he was drafted because his talent toolbox is bursting, its spilling over. He can do ANYTHING on the ice, he can shoot with the best of them (Probably the 6th best shot in his draft.), he can dangle with the best of them (Probably the 5th best hands in his draft), he can pass with the best of them (3rd best playmaker in the draft to me.) and he can play defense/gritty hockey.
This kid is an investment, he's legit, he's everything we, as fans, have ever wanted.
He's Galchenyuk at 18, our second chance, the Habs 2nd chance to redeem themselves, and... theyre doing the same freaking thing. "Break him in slowly", "let him earn his place", "show him the ropes", "not now, maybe later". f*** that, this kid is either playing first line and first PP with our best wingers and sticking there through hard times or he goes back in Finland or in the AHL and plays 20 minutes a game.
It's not even a win-later move anymore, what does Danault have over him ? This is crazy how people can't see what is happening. We've literally went through this about 6 years ago. Galchenyuk and Desharnais, Kotkaniemi and Danault, the same f***ing thing, it's crazy.
I might have agreed with you in prior years. I like the way they're handling him right now. Ducharme is probably involved. I don't know what else they're supposed to do about his future. His future is now and they've determined that he's NHL-ready. He's not the first top 3 overall draft pick to be deemed NHL-ready. I usually don't trust management but I have to give them the benefit of the doubt on this one. It's not a Therrien/Galchenyuk dynamic. Enjoy.
Read my rant above. Galchenyuk was treated the same in his first season. "We love his enthusiasm" kinda positive comments.