I get the feeling that in the end Schultz and Vatanen will compete for a spot in the roster because their game is too similar. In the end I feel Sami will win out because Schultz's game is a little too offensive. Very similar to Marc Andre Bergeron. He doesn't contribute AS much on defense. Maybe Schultz will be traded. Maybe I'm wrong, but
Really love this kid's game. Even though I hate JYP as a team, Vatanen is probably one of my top-3 favorite players in the league. Hope he has a great career!
I get the feeling that in the end Schultz and Vatanen will compete for a spot in the roster because their game is too similar. In the end I feel Sami will win out because Schultz's game is a little too offensive. Very similar to Marc Andre Bergeron. He doesn't contribute AS much on defense. Maybe Schultz will be traded. Maybe I'm wrong, but
I don't know about Schultz being traded. Lubo-Lyd isn't a long term option 'cos Lubo is getting older (though I doesn't look like it right now) and Lyde isn't a kid either. Vatanen isn't going to break into NHL during next season and he still needs to get use to playing in NA which could take some time (= one more season) and he needs more muscle. I think that Schultz could be breaking into Ducks' lineup earlier than Vatanen and when it's Sami's turn, theres' probably a spot already open for him 'cos Lubo/Lyde/Beau will be gone/declining. But if they are going for NHL at the same time, I can see them both competing for the same spot.
I don't know about Schultz being traded. Lubo-Lyd isn't a long term option 'cos Lubo is getting older (though I doesn't look like it right now) and Lyde isn't a kid either. Vatanen isn't going to break into NHL during next season and he still needs to get use to playing in NA which could take some time (= one more season) and he needs more muscle. I think that Schultz could be breaking into Ducks' lineup earlier than Vatanen and when it's Sami's turn, theres' probably a spot already open for him 'cos Lubo/Lyde/Beau will be gone/declining. But if they are going for NHL at the same time, I can see them both competing for the same spot.
My point was more like is Schultz and Vatanen both max their potential he might be shipping out. We have too many offensive defensmen. Fowler-Schultz-Vatanen. They all play basically the same style which is why Jake Gardiner (still pissed about that one) was shipped out. The only difference is, Vatanen and Fowler play much better in their own zone and they're playing with adults. Not saying Schultz is useless in his own zone but that's at the NCAA level. We gotta see how it translates.
My point was more like is Schultz and Vatanen both max their potential he might be shipping out. We have too many offensive defensmen. Fowler-Schultz-Vatanen. They all play basically the same style which is why Jake Gardiner (still pissed about that one) was shipped out. The only difference is, Vatanen and Fowler play much better in their own zone and they're playing with adults. Not saying Schultz is useless in his own zone but that's at the NCAA level. We gotta see how it translates.
None of them will be shipped out. On the long run:
Fowler - xxxxx in a few years (Lind/Clark)
Sbisa - Schultz
Vatanen - xxxxx in a few years Welinski
To me Schultz is set with Sbisa, thats one possibility. The Ducks will have the luxory to ice 3 quality pairins with incredible Speed. Schultz' return to the Badgers is awesome for him. 1st he will work on his defensive game there, his offence is world class. 2nd this will be his team and he will be the go-to-guy. IMO this will help him growing as a player. To be honest, I see Schultz as a top3 type of D for a contender. The second option is Schultz beside Folwer and Vatanen beside Sbisa. A Lineup of
Folwer - Schultz
Sbisa - Vatanen
Holy ****, not much defense right now but lets see how Folwer and Schultz will improove there. Finally, I have to say, the PP of the Ducks will be scary one day. And having a Top4 that can possibly add 50G a season. Future is bright in SoCal.
I am not sure that Schultz is getting much credit for his D, he's not all world but he's getting better and he's made a commitment to improving. He could turn out to be better defensively once both guys reach the pros.
It'll be a total-package assessment that decides either guy's fate. I can see the thinking that they might be too similar but if they are both good enough, they will find a couple of steadier, stay-at-home types to pair them with. Other than Fowler, D corps is older now, it's not like these guys are fixtures who will for sure be there in 2-3 years when they may figure in prominently.
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Danny Duberstein is good at two things ...
I am not sure that Schultz is getting much credit for his D, he's not all world but he's getting better and he's made a commitment to improving. He could turn out to be better defensively once both guys reach the pros.
It'll be a total-package assessment that decides either guy's fate. I can see the thinking that they might be too similar but if they are both good enough, they will find a couple of steadier, stay-at-home types to pair them with. Other than Fowler, D corps is older now, it's not like these guys are fixtures who will for sure be there in 2-3 years when they may figure in prominently.
Sbisa is young. Nothing stellar, but I think he has 2nd pairing potential.
Not a lot of talk about Vatanen lately, but he had 0+3 tonight and he leads all Sm-Liiga D-men in points with 6+14=20 in 32 games. So he's doing pretty well.
I've said it many times, but I'll say it again: He can ***king skate! His size (5'10-5'11) may still be a problem in the NHL, but not many can keep up with him in full speed.
Vatanen will never thrive as a third pairing d-man. He needs to become a top 4 d-man or he won't be successful, he just isn't that good in his own end. He is also too small to defend Nash for example. And yes, I do know there are small d-men that are great defensively (timonen), but he just isn't that good. So, either he becomes a top4 d-man with PP time or he will play in Europe.
Not a lot of talk about Vatanen lately, but he had 0+3 tonight and he leads all Sm-Liiga D-men in points with 6+14=20 in 32 games. So he's doing pretty well.
I've said it many times, but I'll say it again: He can ***king skate! His size (5'10-5'11) may still be a problem in the NHL, but not many can keep up with him in full speed.
I have kept Ducks fans updated in our prospects section. Never knew that there was a thread for Vatanen here.
I have kept Ducks fans updated in our prospects section. Never knew that there was a thread for Vatanen here.
It kind of disappeared. No one really knows about his when making their top prospects list. It kind of gets on my nerves. He's absolutely tears it up in Finland, and then only gets recognition from Ducks fans.
It kind of disappeared. No one really knows about his when making their top prospects list. It kind of gets on my nerves. He's absolutely tears it up in Finland, and then only gets recognition from Ducks fans.
He used to get a lot more attention in Finland when he was the top prospect here but now we got Granlunds and such so he has faded away even though he puts solid numbers.
He used to get a lot more attention in Finland when he was the top prospect here but now we got Granlunds and such so he has faded away even though he puts solid numbers.
Yeah he's kinda in Granlund's shadow right now. Both great players though.
As a JYP fan, I'll enjoy Vatanen here as long as I can. Really wish he was a Wild prospect... We lack offensive D-men right now with Burns gone.
So not a lot of talk about offensive defenseman Vatanen here in the prospects section. He had a slow start to the season but has been a point per game player in the FEL since the fourth of October.
Four assists in today's game the last one being an assist to the game winner, +3 rating, and selection as the star of the game. He now has 16 points in the 11 games since the injury that took him one and a half months to recover. It seems that the Ducks really found a gem in the fourth round 2009.
