Striiker
Earthquake Survivor
Well, if you can't dominate in juniors, what are the odds you'll be a decent NHL player?
Well, if you can't dominate in juniors, what are the odds you'll be a decent NHL player?
Doesn't answer the question, what are the odds?
There's always a few anomalies, but how many highly skilled centers (i.e. not physical players who often mature later) fail to score at a high rate in juniors but went on to be top NHL scorers?
Out of curiosity, I went down the top 50 scoring forwards from last year to see how many hit 100 points in the CHL.
22 guys on that list played in the CHL.
12 of them never hit 100 points in any of their CHL seasons.
Here's each of their highest scoring seasons.
People also need to get it through their head that playing on a third line on a contending team does not mean you are a league average 3rd liner. It is possible to be better then the position you hold on he team if there is great depth in front of you.
As others have mentioned..theres little difference between 2nd and 3rd lines in todays NHL. Middle Six is now more appropriate.
You also have the salary cap aspect that is spreading out talent amongst the 3 lines. Patrick Maroon is a 3rd line talent but has played on the 1st line. Phil Kessel won Pittsburgh a cup playing on the 3rd line.
So Rubtsov may be a middle six talent but could he round out a top line with Patrick and Konecny at left wing?
For me in regards to Rubtsov:
Likely ceiling: ~60pt C/LW. Think Ryan O'Reilly, good two way player with some skill.
Most likely: ~40-50pt C/LW, good two-way player.
Likely floor: ~30-35pt C/LW, solid 3rd liner who PKs and occasionally shows some insane skill.
As for this season, he was at 1.38 PPG last season, 94 point pace.
I mean, I would expect he paces for ~100-105 this season given his ability level. But only 2 players hit 100 in the QMJHL in each of the last 2 years, and Chicoutimi are not going to be as good as they were.
For me in regards to Rubtsov:
Likely ceiling: ~60pt C/LW. Think Ryan O'Reilly, good two way player with some skill.
Most likely: ~40-50pt C/LW, good two-way player.
Likely floor: ~30-35pt C/LW, solid 3rd liner who PKs and occasionally shows some insane skill.
As for this season, he was at 1.38 PPG last season, 94 point pace.
I mean, I would expect he paces for ~100-105 this season given his ability level. But only 2 players hit 100 in the QMJHL in each of the last 2 years, and Chicoutimi are not going to be as good as they were.