shello
Registered User
Aaron Ekblad
I've heard a lot of Chris Pronger comparissons about his game but can you guys tell me anything more?
I've heard a lot of Chris Pronger comparissons about his game but can you guys tell me anything more?
I've heard a lot of Chris Pronger comparissons about his game but can you guys tell me anything more?
i always thought the reason he went #1 wasnt because he was farther ahead then the 95s but rather the team that picked him was guarnteed 3 years instead of 2
i always thought the reason he went #1 wasnt because he was farther ahead then the 95s but rather the team that picked him was guarnteed 3 years instead of 2
I have never seen the kid play, but from numerous videos posted online, I dont really see what the big deal is??
He obviously has good size for his age but others will catch up. He seems to skate well, but his offensive and defensive game must really be high end to be accpeted into the OHL at 15? But most of what I have heard is how big and well he skates, which I didnt really get seeing him skate online.
Can anyone elaborate?
Does anyone know how much better he is than say the next 96 ontario prospect? Or how much better he is than someone like Darnell Nurse was a year ago? Or how does he compare to Tavares at this age, being the only 2 players to get this special exemption to play a year early.
Does anyone know how much better he is than say the next 96 ontario prospect? Or how much better he is than someone like Darnell Nurse was a year ago? Or how does he compare to Tavares at this age, being the only 2 players to get this special exemption to play a year early.
He doesn't compare. Tavares was a Freak, a phenom... I still don't understand why Ekblad got the status, but good for him... he has a lot more to live up to now
He is much better then Nurse at the same age. Nurse played Bantom, and was good, but not the best 95 at the time.
Ekblad is the best 96 in ontario, and better then all other 95 defenceman. He is better then every other player that I have seen this year.
Its unfortunate, but he will be compared to Tavares. He is not the same type of player, and as I mentioned in my post above, as a defenceman he will come in and struggle like every rookie defenceman does.
I think when its said and done he will be a strong two way defenceman in an Alex Pietrangelo mould, perhaps a level above.
Good post. I definitely like the Pietrangelo comparison, Ekblad probably even sees the ice better at the same age.
The inevitable Tavares comparisons are too bad. The kid had one of the best CHL careers in recent memory, and to expect Ekblad to live up to anything close to that isn't fair.
How can we compare the two??? One a forward and one is a D-man... two completely different positions especially for 15 year olds in this league.
Its the exceptional status thing.
It already happened above with people who have never seen him play.
Its to bad, but its something that he will have to deal with. I dont understand why the comparison is made from a hockey standpoint, but it will continue to happen.
Just because they play different positions doesnt mean there are no areas we can compare the two players. When I asked for a Tavares comparison I obviously didn't mean statistically, or on offensive production. I meant things like physical maturity, hockey sense, overall effectiveness in midget as a bantam aged player, skating, stuff like that. Do people think he is as ohl ready as Tavares was when he got the speical exemption?
Just because they play different positions doesnt mean there are no areas we can compare the two players. When I asked for a Tavares comparison I obviously didn't mean statistically, or on offensive production. I meant things like physical maturity, hockey sense, overall effectiveness in midget as a bantam aged player, skating, stuff like that. Do people think he is as ohl ready as Tavares was when he got the speical exemption?
One thing Tavares never did well was accepting physical play... he got hit it showed. He was much better at getting back in the play this past year then any year I've seen him. That's my only concern with Ekblad at the moment because of the position he plays.
I've seen Ekblad in videos and he has the physical tools(skating, decision making), physically at 6-2 205lbs he's off to a great start. I'd imagine he'll round out his OHL career at 6-2+ 220lbs.
Point a game in minor midget isn't a bad thing for a 15 year old D-man.
I don't think anybody can make any fair comparisons to him until at least his first OHL game.
And I'd wager that 49/50 people here haven't seen him play... Even more.
Just as an FYI, ive seen him play 15 times, at various times throughout the season including tournaments, alliance regular season play and such.