Recalled/Assigned: Steven Fogarty

Shesterkybomb

Registered User
Dec 30, 2016
15,589
16,377
Nieves should have turned pro earlier, he plateaued in his 4 seasons of NCAA then injuries also played a role.

I asked an NHL coach one time about a player, he said, yes he is a good player, does everything ok, but he doesnt excel at any one particular thing and if he wants to make it he better learn to do something the puts him ahead of all the other players in the AHL. I feel this way about Nieves, he's pretty good at a lot of things but not a star at anything. He needed to become a pk specialist/ faceoff specialist, he hasn't seemed to grasp that.
 
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nyr2k2

Can't Beat Him
Jul 30, 2005
45,659
32,728
Maryland
I asked an NHL coach one time about a player, he said, yes he is a good player, does everything ok, but he doesnt excel at any one particular thing and if he wants to make it he better learn to do something the puts him ahead of all the other players in the AHL. I feel this way about Nieves, he's pretty good at a lot of things but not a star at anything. He needed to become a pk specialist/ faceoff specialist, he hasn't seemed to grasp that.
Didn't help that Berenson started playing him at wing towards the end of his sophomore year (he WAS more productive there), and even as a pro he has moved around a lot. I don't think he ever really settled in at one spot.

He's big and strong and a very good skater. He can pass well, but lacks vision and is a tick too slow in his decision-making. I think you're right, that PK specialist with a little bit of offensive upside was probably his ticket.
 
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Kakko Schmakko

Registered User
Feb 24, 2018
5,020
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IDK. He never really got better from when he was drafted. He rounded out his defensive game in college, but the offensive instincts just aren't there. I don't think turning pro would have magically given him the ability to think the game more quickly.

His goal scoring was always terrible every season after age 16.
 

egelband

Registered User
Sep 6, 2008
15,852
14,386
I asked an NHL coach one time about a player, he said, yes he is a good player, does everything ok, but he doesnt excel at any one particular thing and if he wants to make it he better learn to do something the puts him ahead of all the other players in the AHL. I feel this way about Nieves, he's pretty good at a lot of things but not a star at anything. He needed to become a pk specialist/ faceoff specialist, he hasn't seemed to grasp that.
Interesting anecdote. I’ve always thought a player needs to do at least one thing really well to stick out. And in fact I’d probably prefer a guy who’s an ‘8’ at one thing and a ‘4’ in all others than a guy who’s an across-the-board ‘5’. Maybe that’s not fair but coaches - outside the top six, or so - want role players. I think.
 

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