Quote:
Originally Posted by orange is better
no one is claiming that couturier is better than plekanec right now. but thats not the point. not at all. we're speaking in terms of value ON THE MARKET. of potential. how about we compare plekanec rookie season to couturiers rookie season? that would be a better comparison of what the actual discussion is about because it doesn't seem like you are understanding (at least my own) point of view.
Tomas Plekanec: 2005-2006: 23 years old. 67GP 9G 20A 29P +4
Playoffs: 6GP 0G 4P
Sean Couturier: 2011-2012: 19 years old. 77GP 13G 14A 27P +18
Playoffs: 11GP 3G 1A 4P
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Sorry to interject. However, I would point out that if we do stuff like that then Subban is MILES ahead of Chara because of how much significantly better Subban's 1st two years have been than Chara's 1st two years were. Would you take Subban over Chara for the next 3 years? Right now, who would you rather have, Chara or Subban? Most teams would say Chara unless they were a rebuilding team. Using your logic, though, Subban will be even better than Chara because his 1st two seasons in the NHL were significantly better than Chara's.
The whole problem with potential and figuring out values is that people always assume their rookie WILL achieve that great potential. The reality is that far more fall off than jump on, so to speak. Yes, Couturier shows the potential to be like or even better than Plekanec. However, it was ONE season. He may very well regress, or slow down in his development, or any other number of things. Potential is not a guarantee. That is why a player in his prime is going to be worth more, to certain teams, than a rookie who might exceed, equal, or never get to that established player's value.
I seem to recall having this exact same argument with some Philly fans after JvR had his great post season run a few years back. He was also untouchable and would become the next best thing to sliced bread. Where is he playing, again? I am not trying to be a smart@$$, just making a point about how perceived potential is not always better than actual proven production. If you tell me Couturier is better than Sam Gagner, I agree in a heartbeat. If you tell me he is better than Plekanec, I would say not yet, and maybe not ever. "Potential" vs "Actual". Something to think about.