I have nothing against the kid at all and deffinatly see the potential but thats just it, potential, plus his stature doesn't equate well in our system if he's not a 40g+ potential threat like Thomas is considered down the line.
Thomas DEFINITELY has 40 goal potential. Doesn't mean he'll reach his ceiling, but he definitely can do it. My guess though is that he'll be a 30+35=65 player.
Graves was comparing Thomas' shot to Shannahan's ("the wow shot"). These kids are so young and some do not blossom right away. IDK how some fans can be so sure what their limitations are. Dubinsky and Callahan's #'s have been going up steadily year after year. Thomas has done more at the Junior level (offensively) than either one of them.
As for Zuccarello, maybe it was just me, but I liked the looks of that third line with Step in the middle and Wolski on the left. I don't think Mats should go anywhere right now. Lets give him more than 40 games to prove what he can do.
Thomas DEFINITELY has 40 goal potential. Doesn't mean he'll reach his ceiling, but he definitely can do it. My guess though is that he'll be a 30+35=65 player.
Only 5 players hit the 40 goal mark this year in the nhl. If the consensus was he had that type of potential, to be an elite nhl goal scorer, I'd think hed be much higher rated as a prospect.
Only 5 players hit the 40 goal mark this year in the nhl. If the consensus was he had that type of potential, to be an elite nhl goal scorer, I'd think hed be much higher rated as a prospect.
I agree. Thomas had a great year in the OHL last year. But I wouldn't put him in that category yet.
Only 5 players hit the 40 goal mark this year in the nhl. If the consensus was he had that type of potential, to be an elite nhl goal scorer, I'd think hed be much higher rated as a prospect.
hes got the NHL caliber elite shot to score 40 goals. but thats not going to be enough...id say he ends up being more of a 20/20 kinda guy. unless he gets paired with a pure setup guy like Richards.
Graves was comparing Thomas' shot to Shannahan's ("the wow shot"). These kids are so young and some do not blossom right away. IDK how some fans can be so sure what their limitations are.
Shanahan was also about 6'3, 220 lbs.
Of course no one knows what the limitations are but for me, personally, when I talk about a prospects potential I consider the reasonable expectations not the super high end where everything falls perfectly in place, since that almost never happens.
hes got the NHL caliber elite shot to score 40 goals. but thats not going to be enough...id say he ends up being more of a 20/20 kinda guy. unless he gets paired with a pure setup guy like Richards.
You mean like Stepan's ceiling can be in a few years?
I'm evisioning a very dangerous line of Kreider-Stepan-Thomas 4-5 years from now.
You mean like Stepan's ceiling can be in a few years?
I'm evisioning a very dangerous line of Kreider-Stepan-Thomas 4-5 years from now.
I'm incredibly pumped for what Stepan can do. A bottle rocket in the WCs, WJCs, great numbers in college and a fantastic rookie season. Having a number one center is great, but having two would be better
Of course no one knows what the limitations are but for me, personally, when I talk about a prospects potential I consider the reasonable expectations not the super high end where everything falls perfectly in place, since that almost never happens.
That's true, but what if we were to compare Thomas' shot to say Colton Orr's, who is around Shanny's size and probably just as strong?
I don't think he'll score 40 on a consistent basis. Then again idk. I'd like to watch him play more.
The only value I see is that he can help us to steal a few shootout games other than that ........ If Slat can get something worth more than that, go for it!
The only value I see is that he can help us to steal a few shootout games other than that ........ If Slat can get something worth more than that, go for it!
Can't help in the shootout if he's not in the lineup.
That's true, but what if we were to compare Thomas' shot to say Colton Orr's, who is around Shanny's size and probably just as strong?
I don't think he'll score 40 on a consistent basis. Then again idk. I'd like to watch him play more.
My point was that Shanahan had good nhl size along with that nasty shot, where Thomas only has that shot. Don't get me wrong, I think Thomas will be a good player(I see him at around 25-25) but just because he has one comparable aspect to a former 40g+ scorer doesn't mean he has the same package.
My point was that Shanahan had good nhl size along with that nasty shot, where Thomas only has that shot. Don't get me wrong, I think Thomas will be a good player(I see him at around 25-25) but just because he has one comparable aspect to a former 40g+ scorer doesn't mean he has the same package.
anyone think Thomas can be a Mark Recchi type player, small player that plays hard and has a good shot and can score with a skilled move or stand in front of the net???
However, saying he has 40 goal potential in the NHL is PURE SPECULATION right now.
Any discussion of "potential" is speculation based on a player's performance at lower levels, and attempting to guess how that performance will translate to a higher level. Until any player makes the NHL, no one -knows- how he'll perform. They can only guess.
For the people saying that Thomas has 40+ goal potential, keep in mind that only 5 players broke that mark this season: Perry, Stamkos, Iginla, Kesler, and Daniel Sedin.
For the people saying that Thomas has 40+ goal potential, keep in mind that only 5 players broke that mark this season: Perry, Stamkos, Iginla, Kesler, and Daniel Sedin.
I think we all realize that but those guys were north of 40.
Most people arn't going to come in here and say I think he has 37 goal potential. I'd say the term "40g potential" implys 35-40 without narrowing down a number.
My point was that Shanahan had good nhl size along with that nasty shot, where Thomas only has that shot. Don't get me wrong, I think Thomas will be a good player(I see him at around 25-25) but just because he has one comparable aspect to a former 40g+ scorer doesn't mean he has the same package.
And Dubinsky scores 25 goals and we are throwing MILLIONS at him.
Mike cammallieri is awesome and I'd love it if Thomas would turn into that. My comparison is zach parise on the devils. Same size, shot, style of play, all that.
Any discussion of "potential" is speculation based on a player's performance at lower levels, and attempting to guess how that performance will translate to a higher level. Until any player makes the NHL, no one -knows- how he'll perform. They can only guess.
What is the point you are trying to make?
My point is that there have been Hundreds of OHL or Junior stars who never made it in the NHL. Just trying to be a little realistic as hyping prospects is definately the thing to do on HF boards. It is almost impossible to speculate what a junior player will do at the NHL level but that is what makes it fun as fans.
However, as I mentioned there is a lot to like about Thomas. Thomas had a GREAT year in juniors last year. Gordie Clark knows what he is doing.
I think we all realize that but those guys were north of 40.
Most people arn't going to come in here and say I think he has 37 goal potential. I'd say the term "40g potential" implys 35-40 without narrowing down a number.
Would 35+ make you feel better?
Haha, a little better. When someone says 40+ that generally means 40 or better.
Still don't think 35+ describes what Thomas is likely to become but I'd love to be wrong on that.
I'd say the term "40g potential" implys 35-40 without narrowing down a number.
