He wasn't as bad as some folks indicated and he's definitely playing injured with his ankle not fully healed, but he's definitely inconsistent. Some nights he's making great plays and other nights he's a ghost. Not impressed.
I don't see the Habs taking him to be honest and I would be surprised if he was picked in the top 5.
Habs would pick Galchenyuk/Forsberg/Dumba/Murray before him.
I still don't think there is any way he falls past #5 unless the Leafs trade their pick. They just have too big of a need at center to pass on somebody with his talent (assuming Galchenyuk, Forsberg and Murray are all gone in the top 4).
He floated around the perimiter alot. When he was involved he seemed a little "off". In the OT he had a golden chance to end it but sailed the shot over the crossbar by about a foot.
I don't see him dropping past #5. I'd actually be a little surprised if he doesn't get picked 2nd, he plays RW as well and that could be a bonus for the Jackets who are likely to shop Nash around prior to the draft.
Having not seen him play in the playoffs I find this all very confusing. He must have been pretty bad for everyone to start throwing him under the bus.
On the other hand, I know how people on HF can act sometimes.
It's hard to tell what exactly is going on here, for someone who hasn't seen him playing in the postseason.
For me, he's still a lock as a top 3 because I know what I've seen in the past from him. Is he hurt? Likely. Is he being double-teamed? Also likely.
Who isn't banged up at this time of the year though? The great ones find a way to still perform at a high level despite injury in the playoffs.
well there is banged up but an injury is an injury...he is not playing through a bad bruise....he is playing with a bad ankle injury. Thing is Roy is not going to come out in public and say he is hurt because then Halifax would concenrate on his ankle...but Roy did say he was hurt and playing through it...I know watching him in the playoffs he was not making cuts on his skates like he was before the injury and not doing well carrying the puck into traffic because his agility and foot work were not there like they were before. If he falls too far in the draft, you are going to have a ton of GM's and scouts kicking themselves a few years from now for not selecting this guy.
After watching that... I'd be shocked if Grig got picked in the Top 5. Was invisible all series... 10pts or something in 11 games? MacKinnon has 11goals... Just expected more out of Grigo
I'm so conflicted. I'll be completely neutral if we take him.
I was laughed at a week ago saying how bad this kid looked and how I wouldn't want him on my team. As of april 16th TSN Scout Craig Button has him ranked at #14 dropping from the top 3, I know its just one scout but i really think anyone scout that watched him play in halifax a week ago would feel the same.
I don't remember Someone actually dropping so far that fast in his rankings. Im sure a team with a early draft pick will take a chance on him.
For anyone who watches him play regularly, is there any comparison to Anze Kopitar?
Victor Kozlov seems to be the best comparison based on what I seen. That isn't great nor is it bad. Kozlov had the skill to put up 70+ points many years.
Grigo has struggled frequently ever since he came back from the WJC, it has nothing to do with the playoffs. Anyone who has watched him frequently over the whole season will have noticed it. Skating is the biggest difference, so it would be hard not to link it to his injury. That was probably especially true in the weeks following his return. But in the end, I think what prevented him from picking it back up, is his fatigue. Obviously, everyone is tired from a hockey season, but in his case I believe he was not in as great of a shape as other top prospects to start the year. Being not as fit can (and is) be considered a downside, but in the end what matters is how he'll be with his future team(s). He has been dedicated to suceed (or so it seemed from the outside), so I would be inclined to believe that will not be a problem (or not as much) in the future.
On-ice intensity could be questionnable, that's up for debate. But judging his 2nd half performances by oversimplifying that as a «lack of intensity», is short-sighted.
I already said it, but it was near the end of the previous thread: I believe that he'll «boom» if given the time before being brought up to the big league, and bust if he's brought up next year and/or before he's ready.
Victor Kozlov seems to be the best comparison based on what I seen. That isn't great nor is it bad. Kozlov had the skill to put up 70+ points many years.
What, a Victor Kozlov comparison is terrible. It will make a fan base pull their hair out for years. Over flowing with skill, size and will if need be, but never seems to care that much.
What, a Victor Kozlov comparison is terrible. It will make a fan base pull their hair out for years. Over flowing with skill, size and will if need be, but never seems to care that much.
I think he means in regards to the way he plays, not necessarily attitude. I think it's safe to say Grigorenko dislikes contact and isn't a particularly hyperactive player but none of us know what his work ethic and dedication are. Kozlov could have put up 70+ points every year if he cared, possibly Grigorenko will care more.
What, a Victor Kozlov comparison is terrible. It will make a fan base pull their hair out for years. Over flowing with skill, size and will if need be, but never seems to care that much.
I like to think of him as a cross between Alexei Kovalev and Dustin Penner.
Oh, well that's scary. Good that he did not make excuses but wow that is frightening.
Maybe fatigue?
The whole thing could've just been very overwhelming for the kid. Comes to a new country, new style of hockey, longer season, WJC, gets injured, comes back, and then experiences NA playoff hockey for the first time, and he's not even 18 yet.
