Simple question guys. Marc Andre Pouliot or Kyle Chipchura, who would you rather have?
Even though I like MAP and think he's getting a little underrated, I'll go with Chipchura. Both will likely be 3rd line centre's with MAP being a little more offensively gifted, but Kyle being much more physical, with better leadership.
I said Pouliot but on a different note, the hardest I was ever hit in a game was by Chipchura when I was trying out for Bantam AAA. He stopped in the middle of the game and asked me if I was OK, so I hope he does well.
Even though I like MAP and think he's getting a little underrated, I'll go with Chipchura. Both will likely be 3rd line centre's with MAP being a little more offensively gifted, but Kyle being much more physical, with better leadership.
As of now, their scoring are rather comparable, with Chipchura being one year younger. It's very soon though, but I could see him ending better at that aspect.
Could Pouliot play effectively on the third line? aka like Chips? No. And Pouliot is only projected to be more offensive than him, doesn't mean he will be. aka bust.
Chipchura was more highly touted, but I never understood it. I spoke to Brad Davis (Oilers scout) at a Lethbridge Hurricanes vs. Prince Albert Raiders game in Lethbridge a few years back and he said the Oilers were looking closely at Chipchura. So I went to the 3 or so games he played against Lethbridge that year, and to a couple of games the year later when he was drafted by Montreal. To be honest, I NEVER saw what people saw in him. He was a quick, but not fast, skater. Didn't have an especially gifted nack for going to the net. Wasn't a great skill player. Played a pretty decent two-way game but was less than noticeable in 5 or so games I saw at the WHL level. Pouliot, I gather, was a lot of the same and benefited from skilled teammates, it seems. At the NHL level, he was noticeable last year as a decent checking liner, but I don't think he'll ever amount to more than that. Same with Chipchura.
