Quote:
Originally Posted by islandersfreak21
While I agree with you, there is one thing I don't, JT was more offensive then Nino but he had none to play with.Now Nino has two 30 goal scorers to work with. I think Nino gets 25 goals and 30 assists. Top 3 in Calder voting.
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That's only assuming Nino earns a spot on the first line. Stamkos had MUCH more to work with on the Lightning than Nino does now, and still only put up 46 points.
Hell Jagr had one of the best offensive forces in NHL history on his team, and he put up 57 points his rookie year.
It's not easy for rookies to put up points in the NHL. It's a LOT different than the AHL-let alone juniors. Remember how Tambellini used to tear up the AHL? He looked like a fish out of water in the 9 games last year in the NHL. Doesn't mean he wont be better-but it doesn't mean we should expect him to put in a top-3 Calder performance either.
And I don't get everyone citing his play in juniors as being proof he'll put up a large amount of points for a rookie (40/50+ points is a lot for a rookie). We should be realistic about his performance in juniors. Here's how his offensive numbers stacked up:
-4th in points on his team (1st in goals)
-43rd in the WHL in points
12th in the WHL in goals
To put that into perspective the people who were at these positions in the WHL for the 09/10 season were:
-4th in points on Portland: Nino Niederreiter (also 1st in goals)
-12th in the WHL in goals: Aaron Lewadniuk (didn't do so hot in the ECHL last year)
-43rd in points in the WHL: Brandon McMillan (21 points with the Ducks last year)
To blunt: I don't see anything he's done in juniors that will translate to a top-3 Calder finish.