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01-31-2013, 09:50 AM
  #590
Jay Cee
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Join Date: May 2007
Location: Halifax
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I understand how you feel but then again, I think it has a lot to do with (respectfully and not directed toward you because I don't know your complete feelings on the subject) people being impatient with prospects.

Everyone has their bench marks for what a player ought to do at a certain level and if they don't they're a bust. For instance people were not writing Kassian off this year but I did sense that the fact he was not a PPG player in the AHL this year was a reason for concern for some posters. Like he had the potential to be regressing, or becoming stagnant in his development. It's a poor example compared to some more blatant fear mongering and "drops" in play but relevant because it's the person we are talking about now.

This line of thinking does not take into account the fact a given prospect might be injured, or that a player like Kassian might just be concentrating on solely improving some parts of his game that might be lacking or poor. The AHL experience is not always all about going out and trying to put up the maximum amount of points you can in any given situation to prove your worth as a prospect.

On the subject of power forwards:

I find they always develop later than many different types of players. I mean when you think about it, if your game is based around establishing physical dominance combined with hockey skill, there are going to be growing pains. The players in the NHL are big and strong and often in great shape. In junior a player can be used to having their way with the league and suddenly comparatively you aren't that big and strong and have to work hard to get where you're going.

I knew that because of his total package game that Kassian was really a can't miss prospect. What surprised me was how quickly he is showing he belongs in a top 6 role when he is on his game.

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