D-Rock
Registered User
What are your opinions on this kid? Besides Surovy and Kostopoulos, he is really the only offense the Pens have currently. What's his upside?
Thanks.
Thanks.
Pensfan66 said:He sure has looked awesome. He's the first power forward type we have had in Pittsburgh since Kevin Stevens. From the way the he has played it looks like down the road he's going to be better then Stevens. So the Leclair comparison is not far off at all. But some are saying he riminds them off a young Clark Gillies as well, both not bad.
jmelm said:Yeah, a lot of people in the Penguin's organization and media mention Clark Gillies, but I never saw him play much, so I can't make that comparison. I have also heard LeClair, Primeau and a poor-man's Bertuzzi mentioned.
Malone is a big (6'4), strong, player with no real weaknesses. He is a good skater, has great hands, some slick moves, excellent vision and hockey sense, and already is a polished 2-way player and PKer. He has shown flashes of being able to be a dominant force on the ice and some game-breaking ability.
He just has to gain experience and consistency at this level, but all the tools are there.
tallpenguin said:Not to rain on your parade, as I am a fellow Pens fan, but lets not get too carried away.
Similar things were said about Bates Battaglia, Wayne Primeau, Chad Kilger, and countless other potential "power forwards". How did those optimistic assessment turn out?
I am not saying Malone is a sure-fire bust, not at all. He is a big, strong, and very smart hockey player already, and the skating ability and 2-way game he plays are already pretty solid for a rookie. But he is still very rough and remains a very hopeful project. I honestly don't think he is that close to greatness that us fans can already see some LeClair, Bertuzzi, or (gasp!) HOFer Gilles in him. He might be imitating thir styles of play, but he is far from duplicating yet.
I have high hopes for Malone, which is why i am unwilling to boggle him with unrealistic (for now) expectations and comparisons to the already established stars of the game.
Just my 2 cents
jmelm said:Firstly, I believe it is a mistake that Malone is labeled as a "power forward" at this point in time. This is fairly inaccurate, in my opinion. From what we have seen from Malone this year, he plays more of a finesse game most of the time. Only sometimes does he showcase the "power game".
A lot of people (wrongly) think that just because someone is over 6'3 and 200 lbs, that they are a power forward.
Malone definitely has the potential to play a "power forward's" game, but does not do so consistently at this point. He is naturally most effective when he does use his size and strength to his advantage, but has to realize to do so more often.
And as far as Wayne Primeau and some of the other guys you mentioned, this is once again what happens when people overhype certain players or mis-judge what certain players' style of play actually is.
I have seen Primeau play 200 times, and I have NEVER seen him show the vision, hockey sense, stickhandling, or playmaking ability that we have seen from Malone. In fact, Craig Patrick has even talked about the possibility of converting Malone to centre for these reasons.
Evilo said:Better than Stevens?
Wow I don't think so....
The_Wiz said:Malone for Rookie of the Year ? Can i get a Hallelujah ???