The Zetterberg Era
Ball Hockey Sucks
During last preseason I felt Hickett’s size was exposed so you’re not being unreasonable however Hicketts is listed at 5’8 on every single source I have seen. He is also a thiccboi more capable of playing out of his weight class than VS imo.
Second on this note, I felt he looked a lot better when he played during the regular season. FWIW.
I don't feel this point favours either player TBH. Both probably cap out as 3rd pairing dmen with PP upside.
I would also contend that Hickett's gifts are every bit as quality as Saarijarvi's while being much further along in his development curve. And this is the key for me. Similar upside with one guy having accomplished quite a bit more up until this point.
I respect that opinion. I don't really agree that they have similar upside.
On the height thing I have yet to hear from anyone that he is legitimately 5'8" even which is pretty tough as well. He is incredibly strong no argument at all there. I know Saarijarvi is near his actual height, all I ever hear on Hicketts is he is generously listed at 5'8" and I have heard that a lot and from people who have met him in person.
I thought he was okay during the regular season. I thought some bounces went his way, a couple of our chances were buried while he was out there and a few of his mistakes didn't immediately wind up in the back of our net. I do like the fearlessness in his game and his approach. He is an easy player to root for so make no mistake I hope he somehow does become a solid NHL contributor.
Here would be another difference in terms of my opinion limiting his upside with you though in terms of third pairing PP guy. I think we have a real problem if Hicketts sniffs the PP. We are a really bad team so he might for a quick trial. I know the Wings hope he can carve that role but I certainly don't. Hronek and Cholowski both intrigue me a heck of a lot more here. Vili has a plus shot, skating to manipulate the zone and passing you look for out of a PP guy as well. Put in players we hopefully draft or add in free agency and add in the fact the modern NHL one of your two units is likely to feature a fourth forward and I just don't see it. I see Saarijarvi's attributes for third pairing right handed PP guy as significantly in his favor when comparing him to Hicketts. Again he is also a plus skater something you will find in almost all undersized guys that were successful where Hicketts is not. To me Hicketts knocking it out of the park becomes Francis Bouillon. 3rd pairing undersized PK tank of a player who loves physical play. We will see but I am not bullish on that either. Not really super high on Saarijarvi at this point but I think he can still get this on track.
Again I really do hope all of these guys can achieve their dreams and play in the NHL. They all can make it happen, I really do want to believe that. But some would need an awful lot to go right to stay a long time.
I mean it is all sort of a feel thing mixing and matching potential and the current player while voting on these anyway so it isn't surprising we differ. But I don't have a couple of these guys real high. The reality of the players at this point is we are unlikely to be truly embarrassed about any of the claims. They are long-shots to carve out significant NHL roles for the most part. I think Smith, Pearson and Saarijarvi have the potential to fit in certain roles and see the value and upside. But is Givani more than a fourth line guy, I am not sure, I see third sometimes but he is an extremely likely player to play NHL hockey. All the scouts say that, he can play up and down and plays a heavy game. But he isn't real popular on this board either and it is because you can easily see him as a nothing 4th liner and that isn't all that exciting. But for me he has the best floor here not Hicketts when looking at that angle. But third pairing guys you like rooting for aren't necessarily going to have a ton of happiness.
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