Besko. There's really not much that separates him from JC or Bachman. Just the way the rankings shake out makes it look like there's a gap.
When we talk about the organization's preference for big goalies as a minus for Bachman's future.... it has to be equally a plus for Besko. There's a continuum and Besko is significantly bigger than Campbell.
Then his numbers in his first pro season were just plain great. He played even better in Idaho than Bachman did his first pro year behind a weaker team. And then in his backup appearances in CP there was minimal drop-off. I'm always impressed by his form in practice situations also.
That's a pretty damn impressive top-10. For the Stars at least. When's the last time it looked that good?
Well, by HF standards it's a pathetic top 10 because we're the Stars and by default we always suck at drafting and development. Nevermind the recent stream of homegrown solid graduates to the NHL and prospects that returned valuable pieces in a trade (Daley, Eriksson, Benn, Neal, Grossman, Fistric, Vishnevsky, Wandell).
In my mind, the only shaky guys in our top 10-12 are Glennie & Campbell. They have the highest ceilings, but had questionable seasons (to a degree) last year. Everyone else seems to have been progressing steadily each year.
Also, there may not be elite blue chip talent on that list, but there isn't really anyone on that list that - if they reach their fullest potential - would top out as a 4th liner or 6th/7th D. Most have skills or physical attributes that project them out as potential top-6/top-4 quality.
I also voted Besko. He's one of those guys that has been in the system for a while and has continually improved. He's not far behind Bachman, but I think that the names above him do deserve to be there. It just goes to show how close everyone is after the top 4.
He got rave reviews in Texas during his AHL stint when previously he had no pro experience. He stepped right into top 4 minutes and his ToI increased every game. Gulu gave him very good reviews at how well he transitioned.
But it's only a 16 game sample. In which he scored 2 points.
He's not a point generating defenseman though. It was a small sample size sure, but he legitimately impressed people at the AHL level. For my part, he looked like a man among boys at development camp from a physical standpoint. Given that the Stars are sorely lacking a player who plays the type of role that Dillon is expected to, he gets a boost in the "ready to contribute" department.
He was this year in the WHL as an overager. Which is a large part of what got people excited about him. Is there all that competition to sign him as a FA if he's putting up another 10 point season? I don't think so.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr Momentum
Am I the only one who sees Dillon in more a 15 to 20 spot??
That's probably selling him short. I've got Besko at 11, Ritchie at 12 and I'm currently debating between Molin and Dillon at 13.
Given that the Stars are sorely lacking a player who plays the type of role that Dillon is expected to, he gets a boost in the "ready to contribute" department.
What role, Grossman clone? I suspect the Stars have one of those already. Dillon right now would be roughly the same player as Woywitka was: offensive zero, and somewhat capable but often overmatched defensively. He's sitting on two years, minimum, in the AHL to hone his defensive skills so that he's good enough to compensate for his complete lack of offense. He's a good AHL defenseman so far, I'll give him that, but he's not even close to NHL ready.
I voted Ritchie because I think he would have been a first rounder if it weren't for the injuries. He's the third best player on Sarnia behind Yakupov and Galchenyuk, and he's the primary defensive force among their forwards as well. Take his size, skating ability, and offensive ability, and with the right development he could become a fairly good player.
He was this year in the WHL as an overager. Which is a large part of what got people excited about him. Is there all that competition to sign him as a FA if he's putting up another 10 point season? I don't think so.
That's probably selling him short. I've got Besko at 11, Ritchie at 12 and I'm currently debating between Molin and Dillon at 13.
this is what im leaning towards right now
11 Besko
12 Dillon
13 Ritchie
14 Molin
15 Vance
16 Sceviour
17 Jokkipakka
18 Guptill
19 Theriau
20 Roman (hanging on by the hair on his chinny chin chin)
What role, Grossman clone? I suspect the Stars have one of those already. Dillon right now would be roughly the same player as Woywitka was: offensive zero, and somewhat capable but often overmatched defensively. He's sitting on two years, minimum, in the AHL to hone his defensive skills so that he's good enough to compensate for his complete lack of offense. He's a good AHL defenseman so far, I'll give him that, but he's not even close to NHL ready.
I voted Ritchie because I think he would have been a first rounder if it weren't for the injuries. He's the third best player on Sarnia behind Yakupov and Galchenyuk, and he's the primary defensive force among their forwards as well. Take his size, skating ability, and offensive ability, and with the right development he could become a fairly good player.
Holy crap. How many of his AHL games did you tune in for?
He was this year in the WHL as an overager. Which is a large part of what got people excited about him. Is there all that competition to sign him as a FA if he's putting up another 10 point season? I don't think so.
I can only speak for myself but here's my thinking. He was an over-ager and over-agers are supposed to play better than their 17 year old peers. His putting up solid numbers as an over-ager basically says to me that "hey, this kid gets it and has put his experience in junior to use." I don't think anyone expects him to be anything more than a 25-35 point defenseman in the NHL (on the high end) but if can add a sure hand puck wise and lay out some mother ****ers then great. I have him pegged as a tough-as-nails defenseman who doesn't mind dropping the gloves but who can also defend his own zone. That is something this team has lacked on a consistent basis since...Hatcher?
this is what im leaning towards right now
11 Besko
12 Dillon
13 Ritchie
14 Molin
15 Vance
16 Sceviour
17 Jokkipakka
18 Guptill
19 Theriau
20 Roman (hanging on by the hair on his chinny chin chin)
I agree with your list
Although i have a feeling after this season Vance is going to be climbing big time, but time will tell. Hopefully he does, having him and Oleksaik as a D pairing would be very scary for other teams forwards
What role, Grossman clone? I suspect the Stars have one of those already. Dillon right now would be roughly the same player as Woywitka was: offensive zero, and somewhat capable but often overmatched defensively. He's sitting on two years, minimum, in the AHL to hone his defensive skills so that he's good enough to compensate for his complete lack of offense. He's a good AHL defenseman so far, I'll give him that, but he's not even close to NHL ready.
I guess I shall defer to someone who has personally viewed Dillon in person much more than I...
Colorado with Pickard/Patterson/Aittokallio. Maybe Edmonton with Bunz/Roy/Perhonen. Poulin/Koskinen/Nilsson is borderline for NYI. There may be others dunno.
Colorado with Pickard/Patterson/Aittokallio. Maybe Edmonton with Bunz/Roy/Perhonen. Poulin/Koskinen/Nilsson is borderline for NYI. There may be others dunno.
Poll is too close to call at the moment.
I voted Ritchie. If you need a tiebreaker I would vote for Besko.
