db23 said:
Obviously it makes a difference. I would be willing to bet that Bouwmeester (and Spezza) were already on the scout's "identification" list by the time Komisarek put on his first pair of skates.
As for Pock, he was already considered one of the best players in Austria before he came to North America. I think he had played for the Austrian national team before he played his first NCAA game. In the NCAA he was just an average forward so they moved him back as a "rover". I still don't think he will be an NHL defenceman.
O.k., I'm having trouble tracking your position.
Is it - Komisarek is better young defender than Bouwmeester, because even though he's older and not as good now, he's got less experience so he's got more upside. Is that the position you are really trying to take?
And if so, why doesn't Bouwmeester get credit for being a standout since he was a toddler while Komisarek's resume of achievement is commiserately so much shorter? Doesn't Bouwmeester get credit for being more proven, especially at a younger age?
Komisarek's late start at hockey makes him riskier than a player who started younger. How can you argue that it makes him better? He's never getting those years back. For every year of learning and experience he adds today, Bouwmeester adds the same. Unless Komisarek suddenly starts learning much, much faster, he can't catch Jay until they're in their 50's.
And I'm still waiting to hear why Komisarek is ahead of Tjutin, or a growing number of other more accomplished defensemen of similar vintage. How about Brooks Orpik? He's big, tough, and physical with limited offense. He played franchise minutes for a horrific franchise and while his +/- numbers stunk, he didn't crack under the pressure. Is he ahead or behind? Do you believe Komisarek would have done better in Orpik or Tjutin's shoes? And on what do you base that opinion, other than scouting reports from four years ago?
Again, I like Komisarek a lot, and it's not my intent to turn this into a witch hunt against him. But so far he's proven himself to be nothing more than a big, pretty physical, 5th-6th defenseman. Sure, he's young and the Habs have a nice group of defensemen ahead of him. But it's not like it's an All-Star squad and he's a super unknown. They've been hyping him for years as one of the cornerstones of the franchise... now they won't give him minutes he deserves because they need to play Stephan Quintal?
Komisarek's resume and play is way behind Hamhius. Miles behind Bouwmeester. Well behind Tjutin. And I could probably look around and find another 10 guys in Komisarek's age range who are all more accomplished than he is, and have plenty of room to continue to improve. Until Komisarek:
A) Starts producing offensively; OR
B) Starts playing top four minutes
He'll be behind a lot of guys.