montreal
Go Habs Go
Roke said:I watched the whole game against the US (unfortuneatly it's the only game involving Belarus that I've watched) and I've seen probably 5 or 6 Bulldogs games this year.
He played very well in the game at both ends of the ice (however i did see him cost near/outside his own blueline waiting for a breakaway pass which was dissapointing.) When he played on the penalty kill he was generally in position (I remember one kill where his 3 team-mates were chasing the puck and he was the only guy remotely in position which was, well scary) so his defensive play has obviously improved. Everyone comments on his great shot, which he does posess but the concern I have is he misses the net way too often (both in the AHL and in the game). I don't know whether it's because he has piss-poor accuracy or because he's trying to pick the corner (the latter is what I think he is doing) but he has to get that great shot on net more than he has.
As for his potential,there's no way I'd label him a future franchise player however, if everything goes perfectly and there is a very small possibility of him reaching that title. He's a future 1st/2nd liner or bust in my oppinion because if he can't crack the top 2 there's nowhere else in the lineup to play. Personally, I don't believe Andrei will be a bust but that's still a possibility.
About the players taken after him that are better, there are a couple who I would have considered taking at this point (with hindsight). Obviously, Zach Parise is one of those and Jeff Carter is another but I think I'd stick with Kostitsyn because of the raw skills I"ve seen and hope he turns into a gem.
I agree, often his shots end up going wide. He's got a cannon of a shot, it's heavy with a quick release, but accuracy he doesn't have. I'd also add he takes off too many shifts where he just doesn't work as hard as he can. But I will say his defensive game has improved a lot, since seeing him play in the RSL last year, then again when your coach is Doug Jarvis one of the better all time defensive forwards, one would think he could work with Kostitsyn and help him improve his play in his own end.