Empoleon8771
Registered User
POJ wins #2 easily.
1. Poulin (53%)
2. POJ (74.4%)
1. Poulin (53%)
2. POJ (74.4%)
Still have Hallander above Poulin. They're both probably middle-6 guys but I think it's easier for a winger with Hallander's style to make it to his ceiling than Poulin as a center.
I'm not sure either has any good shot at being an impact NHL center, to be honest, I just kinda get the gut feeling Hallander's style of play has an easier job at transitioning to the NHL level, and as a winger.Hallander's probably spent more time in his career at C than Poulin; I'm not sure I'd expect them to develop Poulin as a C ahead of a guy like Hallander until I heard about it, which I don't think we have yet.
I'm not sure either has any good shot at being an impact NHL center, to be honest, I just kinda get the gut feeling Hallander's style of play has an easier job at transitioning to the NHL level, and as a winger.
It's mainly about style, for me. I know Poulin isn't a plug or anything, but I'm more optimistic a prospect like Hallander can carve out a niche as a Kunitz-lite. It's mainly about how he is with hockey IQ, tbh. If he's smart and can read/follow the play and position himself appropriately so as to make up for whatever skating woes he may have. Poulin just strikes me more of a boom or bust guy, but not nearly to the degree of Legare--who I'm intrigued by, but have no real hope for.
The Hallander fans have convinced me he's the guy here. I'm a little uhm at the way he hasn't really grown in the SHL scoring wise but it's been a weird few years and recovering from a broken leg will change development arcs, and hearing he showed a nasty shot and regained speed make me happy. Throw in the fact that as a 21 year old entering the AHL he's now close to making the show, and that he's extremely defensively responsible for his age, and I'm happy to make him part of the top three ahead of riskier forward prospects and goalies I don't particularly know how to project.
Yeah, I just think coaches will accept and work with a guy like Hallander who seems to be more at home around the net and doing grunt work than a more offensive guy like Poulin. I don't know shit, and I'm not convinced anyone does--just my opinion.Poulin's a smart guy and very defensively responsible for his age too imo. It was something that really jumped out in training camp scrimmages before that bubble Stanley Cup, and has always been part of his scouting report. I think he'd have more of an adjustment if he needed to be an off the puck banger in the NHL due to having always being a focal point for the puck, but I have no doubt he could be it. Right now the only bust part of his profile is the resurfacing of skating concerns.
That said, I think they would want to try and make Poulin a legit NHL playmaker and might be happier to push Hallander as a plug and play puck retriever with less concern for offensive tool development, so maybe his style will transition quicker and easier. But not, imo, by a huge degree. Although admittedly my opinion isn't worth much here
Hallander just seems like a pro player to me (I guess he has been for awhile now lol). I think numbers wise I’ve cooled on him from years ago, but still a fan. His ATOI was second among Fs on Lulea far as I can tell, he’s got a good brain and plays responsible 200 foot hockey. I think you can question his upside, offense and skating but he plays like a guy built for Sullivan imo.
Yeah, I just think coaches will accept and work with a guy like Hallander who seems to be more at home around the net and doing grunt work than a more offensive guy like Poulin. I don't know shit, and I'm not convinced anyone does--just my opinion.
We'll see how wrong we all were in three years.
Going against the grain with Legare… I’m basing my ranking not on who’s ready and has the best chance to make the NHL soonest, regardless of where, but highest upside at this point..,so Hallander is going to be lower for me than Puustinen and Zohorna, who would be my next best prospects
I have watched about ten WBS games last year and no other below NHL leagues. I don’t feel qualified to vote.
Any thoughts on where you'll put the goalies?
I think we're probably a little too excited/optimistic for Poulin as a fan base, to be brutally honest. I'll be really surprised, and pleasantly so, if he manages to end up as an impact NHLer.
I hope Hallander, Poulin, Legare, POJ, Zoho and DOC get huge minutes in WBS all year long--and they spend an entire season or more developing at the pro level. I'd rather them getting a big role in all situations down there than spending most of their time in the press box and getting 4th line minutes.