-He has to come out firing on all cylinders and guns blazing at Traverse City and have a very solid camp plus score some timely goals.
-DON'T call for his head if he doesn't light it up at Traverse City this year. He's now the #1 force on offense and doesn't have a playmaking center. Last year Stepan, Grachev, and whomever were the #1 line so Thomas didn't play against the top paid Dmen and this year he will.
-Unless the Rangers draft a Schiefele, McNeil, or some other center, who is he going to play with at Traverse...Tommy Grant? Hagelin or Wilson can play the other wing but with Lindberg's SEL season starting and no Grachev, Weise, Fasth, Krieder, or MZA at the tournament this year, it's slim pickings up front and him and Hagelin are going to go up against the world.
Thomas needs to get stronger and needs to improve away from the puck as has been mentioned.
Grachev has two years of Pro hockey under his belt. He was asked by the organization to work on his two way game last year, and he did. And he improved his game.
He's physically mature and strong.
Thomas has time.
If he goes back to the OHL is he a "bust" like Kreider?
Different players develop at different rates.
Thomasa skill may be ready but he's not ready physically.
He would be best-served playing AHL hockey, but he'll likely wind up in the OHL now. I would love it if we could add Thomas to the lineup. It would not be the worst thing in the world to get a 20-25 player.
I think management should emphasize on having an elite farm team in which there is no cap that we can use to our advantage. Let Thomas bulk up on his strength and call him up for hopefully the Hartford playoff run.
If a midget like mza can play for us, why can't Thomas? If dstep can play, why not Thomas. Same with McDonough.
These guys came in and produced at a high level fairly quickly. We do not know what will happen but I can tell you this, if he comes into camp and scores goals, And I mean goal scorer goals off pipe and in the corners, he will get a legit look see. As he should.
He will come into camp with an sniper rifle shot. This dude can really bring it and we really have no one who has a gun like this kid. And more than just his shot, he knows where to go and where to be to score. He's a one timer freak who shoots it while backing up as hard as most shoot when they step into it. He's really got a great eye for the net and his shot mechanics are top notch.
I give him a good shot at making the team and playing a lot of pp minutes and getting 5 on5 top 9 NHL minutes.
I'm excited to see what he can do.
I dont think it's a matter of why not him I just think it's more along the lines of there's no rush and he's got a few years of growing into his body so they'll probably opt to give him one more in the OHL. He'll likely get his cup of coffee tho and they'll give him a regimen to work on the deficiencies they see especially defensively (B/c they do D with all their players including gabs). But that PP 1 time ability is a huge x factor for him making it.
Grachev has NHL experience. And two years of Pro experience.
Hagelin does not.
Why would Hagelin have a better shot then Grachev? He wouldn't.
I dont think Grachev is ready. Hoping he puts up huge numbers in A. I'd like to see 2 rookie forwards make the team but dont see it, there's probably only room for 1 and I think that'll be Hagelin.
Yes they are. They are both young wingers who are trying to make an impact in the NHL. Just because they arent the exact same type of player doesn't mean anything. Thats like saying we can't compare Valentenko and MDZ because they aren't the same type of player. It doesn't matter, they are going to try-out for the same opening.
I think Hagelin's game is NHL-ready. I think Grachev could still benefit from more seasoning in the AHL.
I've been back and forth on Grachev and Hagelin. I think Hagelin has a slightly better chance, but they will have to duke it out for a third line LW spot.
I think Hagelin's game is NHL-ready. I think Grachev could still benefit from more seasoning in the AHL.
Unless Hagelin adds some muscle this off-season, I don't see him making the NHL out of camp.
I REALLY think its funny how many people are writing off Grachev. This is not totally directed at you nyr2k2, as you never mentioned anything along those lines. But at 6'4 220+ lbs and with his hands and willingness to learn, Grachev has a bright future. Whether these fans have the patience to see it come to fruition is another story.....
Unless Hagelin adds some muscle this off-season, I don't see him making the NHL out of camp.
I REALLY think its funny how many people are writing off Grachev. This is not totally directed at you nyr2k2, as you never mentioned anything along those lines. But at 6'4 220+ lbs and with his hands and willingness to learn, Grachev has a bright future. Whether these fans have the patience to see it come to fruition is another story.....
Not sure if this was directed at me. I'm not down on Grachev at all, just dont think he's ready. Some players take longer to develop, Grachev is 1 of them, thats perfectly fine. IMO Hagelin has a better shot than Grachev to make the team out of the camp but I do think Grachev is the next cab of the rank if there is an opening (injuries).
Unless Hagelin adds some muscle this off-season, I don't see him making the NHL out of camp.
I REALLY think its funny how many people are writing off Grachev. This is not totally directed at you nyr2k2, as you never mentioned anything along those lines. But at 6'4 220+ lbs and with his hands and willingness to learn, Grachev has a bright future. Whether these fans have the patience to see it come to fruition is another story.....
You could have all the hands and size in the world, but if the mental aspect of your game isn't there, you will not perform up the levels set by those gifts -- just look at Wolski, for an example -- he has tremendous amounts of talent, and is a sizable player, but he just doesn't think the game well enough to be a truly successful player.
The problems Grachev are more than likely due to his mental game -- whether it's not enough confidence, or just plain lack of hockey sense, we don't know yet. All we can do is hope he performs in camp -- I'm not setting any expectations for him just yet.
He would be best-served playing AHL hockey, but he'll likely wind up in the OHL now. I would love it if we could add Thomas to the lineup. It would not be the worst thing in the world to get a 20-25 player.
Depending on the performance of Zucca and Weise, and whether Feds is brought back, Thomas may have a decent shot at it.
for some reason Weise i think will be dealt not because he sucks and i hope he makes the team but the waiver rule. he has to make the team or go through waivers...
Really Thomas has nothing left to prove in the OHL. Problem is he might not be ready/we might not have room for him with the NHL team. I trust that our organization will make the right call for his long term development. What that will end up being I'm not sure even they know yet.
I think that Christian might hang around after camp breaks, but will end up back in juniors before the 10 game mark. This is completely appropriate. Let him grow and improve there when he begins the season with a bullseye on his back. Let him fight through the checkers and the top defensemen on the OHL. He will then be more likely to be able to handle the jump in 2012-2013.
What if Thomas went to the KHL for a season? Very unconventional, but that's what I would do.
The KHL is a good spot for him. It is the second-best league in the world. They focus on skating, positioning and skills, not on physical play by huge hitters.
It would be a good spot for him. He would be challenged, unlike in the OHL, and he would not be overwhelmed, unlike the NHL. And the low level of hitting would be good while he is still physically developing.
But he does have to be willing to go to Russia for 9 months. Could be a cool adventure if he likes seeing stuff.
What if Thomas went to the KHL for a season? Very unconventional, but that's what I would do.
The KHL is a good spot for him. It is the second-best league in the world. They focus on skating, positioning and skills, not on physical play by huge hitters.
It would be a good spot for him. He would be challenged, unlike in the OHL, and he would not be overwhelmed, unlike the NHL. And the low level of hitting would be good while he is still physically developing.
But he does have to be willing to go to Russia for 9 months. Could be a cool adventure if he likes seeing stuff.
I wouldn't call the KHL the second best league in the world, but I do agree the problem is he's basically already beaten the OHL. Problem with going to the KHL or any international size rink league is the bigger size is an adjustment we don't want anyone to make. Would be detrimental to his development.
Hagelin or Wilson can play the other wing but with Lindberg's SEL season starting and no Grachev, Weise, Fasth, Krieder, or MZA at the tournament this year, it's slim pickings up front and him and Hagelin are going to go up against the world.
