[7even]

Originally Posted by topched

I'm not simply saying prospects won't pan out... I'm more saying that players who have a specific skill set like Kassian, Wilson, Biggs etc. are considered more valuable than other players who show more offensive ability.

Woah, pump the brakes there. I'll agree that players with a skillset similar to Biggs are more valuable than other players who show similar offensive ability, but nobody is going to draft Tyler Biggs over Claude Giroux. The gamble you make there is a more translatable game vs a higher reward game. Sometimes it works, like Giroux or Lucic. And then other times it doesn't, like Beach or Esposito. But you can't just make a unilateral statement like that.

A guy with that type of size and physicality has the potential to develop their offensive game to a point where they can play in a scoring role.

Then you have those second tier scoring types, the guys drafted in the second round who scored ppg, that have major defensive holes in their game or lack size/physicality is something that is much harder to develop.

Again, it's a gamble. If this were straight up true, you wouldn't get guys like Kadri or Eberle drafted until midway through the 4th round.

This is Biggs first season playing this heavy a schedule at this level of intensity etc. He's doing pretty well (top 30 in scoring), and has contributed alot to the Generals so far, and is eyeing a spot on the US WJ team. I'm satisfied with his performance and I'm sure Leafs brass is as well.

Ayup, I agree. If he can maintain his PPG and refine his game, he looks like he'll be a top 9 guy someday, especially with his skating.

Originally Posted by hero

Biggs wasn't drafted to be a goon.
Biggs wasn't drafted to be a 30 goal scorer.

He was drafted to be a hybrid off both. I think if he can become a just under 20 goal scorer each year, while playing physical hockey, that be great.

Like, if he can pan out to be a less offensive version of Dustin Brown or Ryan Callahan, that be a good use of a low 1st round pick.

We agree. A 15-20 goal 3rd line guy isn't an unrealistic projection for Biggs. All I'm saying is that he hasn't shown the offensive acumen to be projected as a top 6 forward. Biggs hasn't been a big scorer at any level he's ever played at. The argument that he's going to be a 2nd line guy is a difficult one to make.