Brule should've been better and I think he still can. He's getting a bit of a raw deal, and I wish Phoenix had re-signed him.
Anyway, it's hard to put a Brule label on Lazar. Gilbert had some concussions and some personal issues (partially as a result of concussions) that really set him back. If Brule managed to avoid head injuries, he might be an extremely effective NHL player today.
Lazar has 10X the hockey sense that Brule possesses. Physically they are pretty similar although Brule has a tendancy to go headhunting that Lazar doens't do. Lazar is also a smidge bigger/stronger than Brule was.
Everytime I see Lazar play, I can't help but think of Jarret Stoll when he was with Kootenay. Similar type game but Lazar's skating is much, much better.
That's not bad. Stoll and Fisher were 2nd rounders. Lazar is likely going to be a top half of the first round pick. Skating is better than those two and I think he is starting to realize where he needs to be on the ice in order to score goals. The door is open for Lazar to be a 1st line center in the pros, at worst a 2nd liner.
People are comparing him to mid-second round picks.
Pfffffft.
I don't want to be in a situation where I have to hate the kid, so I'm not getting goated into that argument. He can play on my team any day of the week. I'm just comparing style. I'm not comparing ceiling. Lazar obviously has another gear in his step and the offense will come this year. The thing that will make Lazar noticed more than anything will be how he is used in situational hockey, anywhere, anytime. Those have been calling cards for Stoll and Fisher and it will be a calling card for Lazar too. Even if the offense doesn't come around at the pro level, he will still have that aspect to rely on. That's where the comparisons end, nothing more, nothing less.
We can't forget that he is coming off a 20 goal, 31 point season, while Hunter Shinkaruk put up 49Gs. He did have 19 points in 20 games in the playoffs, so his game took it up notch. Forgive me if I want to see his offensive flourish a bit more before I start calling him elite. For the record I have Shinkaruk slightly ahead of Lazar but its only by one spot, both in the top 10.
My guess is he goes in the 6-10 range, just tough to predict where all the euros will go in the top 10 right now, so anything in that range wouldn't shock me, plus or minus a couple spots even.
I don't want to be in a situation where I have to hate the kid, so I'm not getting goated into that argument. He can play on my team any day of the week. I'm just comparing style. I'm not comparing ceiling. Lazar obviously has another gear in his step and the offense will come this year. The thing that will make Lazar noticed more than anything will be how he is used in situational hockey, anywhere, anytime. Those have been calling cards for Stoll and Fisher and it will be a calling card for Lazar too. Even if the offense doesn't come around at the pro level, he will still have that aspect to rely on. That's where the comparisons end, nothing more, nothing less.
We can't forget that he is coming off a 20 goal, 31 point season, while Hunter Shinkaruk put up 49Gs. He did have 19 points in 20 games in the playoffs, so his game took it up notch. Forgive me if I want to see his offensive flourish a bit more before I start calling him elite. For the record I have Shinkaruk slightly ahead of Lazar but its only by one spot, both in the top 10.
Goated into an argument?
Lazar wasnt used in a top offensive role last year until near the end of the year. He was in and out of the top six and lots of time got little or no pp time. Consider that with the fact he was 16 and hadnt developed his skills to the point where they are now and ya, he didnt put up great stats during the regular season.
But the playoffs were his coming out party and so far this year he looks very dangerous. His skating is top notch. Speed, acceleration, agility. He can do it all. His shot is hard and accurate. More than that it is his quick release that is his bread and butter. Couple that with his size, grit, toughness, fearlessness and he is a complete player.
One that I believe may score fifty goals in his draft year. On that team, it is possible. If Gernat were in the lineup, it would be even more likely to happen.
Fifty goals, or even forty in his draft year, along with all of his other skills/intangibles, makes him elite in my books. Certainly comparing him to other players his age. He is top ten in the world. That is elite.
Lazar wasnt used in a top offensive role last year until near the end of the year. He was in and out of the top six and lots of time got little or no pp time. Consider that with the fact he was 16 and hadnt developed his skills to the point where they are now and ya, he didnt put up great stats during the regular season.
But the playoffs were his coming out party and so far this year he looks very dangerous. His skating is top notch. Speed, acceleration, agility. He can do it all. His shot is hard and accurate. More than that it is his quick release that is his bread and butter. Couple that with his size, grit, toughness, fearlessness and he is a complete player.
One that I believe may score fifty goals in his draft year. On that team, it is possible. If Gernat were in the lineup, it would be even more likely to happen.
Fifty goals, or even forty in his draft year, along with all of his other skills/intangibles, makes him elite in my books. Certainly comparing him to other players his age. He is top ten in the world. That is elite.
I'm not sure what the debate is here other than that elite word. Like I said, liberal use.
You pretty much regurgitated everything I said. We'll have to see where he ends with the goal totals. Its setup nicely for him to do so.
You were agreeing with a poster using "Mike Fisher" as a comp.
And you said he is "finding the spots where he needs to be" or some such nonsense.
Im talking about his skills and how they are high end. Multiple high end skills in combination to make an elite player.
If you think using the word elite to describe a player who is among the ten best on the planet for his age is "liberal", then youve lost the plot.
Lost the plot? I think you need to read my posts properly before you reply.
Elite is reserved for future HoFers. Lazar is heckuva player and he is on the right track to becoming an outstanding pro. He is in an excellent situation to thrive in Edmonton. Things are setup nicely for him. He will do well. I don't know how many more times I have to say that.
Lost the plot? I think you need to read my posts properly before you reply.
Elite is reserved for future HoFers. Lazar is heckuva player and he is on the right track to becoming an outstanding pro. He is in an excellent situation to thrive in Edmonton. Things are setup nicely for him. He will do well. I don't know how many more times I have to say that.
So why dont you tell us all which players in this draft class are going to be future hall of famers so we know who we can call elite?
Lost the plot? I think you need to read my posts properly before you reply.
Elite is reserved for future HoFers. Lazar is heckuva player and he is on the right track to becoming an outstanding pro. He is in an excellent situation to thrive in Edmonton. Things are setup nicely for him. He will do well. I don't know how many more times I have to say that.
I wouldn't bother. IATL just likes to argue.
The thing that would probably hold Lazar back from becoming an elite player at the NHL level is his passing skills. They are just alright.
Yea, he's top ten in his age group, but most 5-10 picks don't go on to be elite. Lots of Brules, Torres, Hartnell's etc in that area. Lots of good players but not guarenteed stars by any means.
I have to agree with IATLon this one, Lazar is looking awesome and some appear to be underating his potential. I like the Kesler comparison. The B. Schenn one isn't bad either but IMO Lazar has a better shot
I don't want to be in a situation where I have to hate the kid, so I'm not getting goated into that argument. He can play on my team any day of the week. I'm just comparing style. I'm not comparing ceiling. Lazar obviously has another gear in his step and the offense will come this year. The thing that will make Lazar noticed more than anything will be how he is used in situational hockey, anywhere, anytime. Those have been calling cards for Stoll and Fisher and it will be a calling card for Lazar too. Even if the offense doesn't come around at the pro level, he will still have that aspect to rely on. That's where the comparisons end, nothing more, nothing less.
We can't forget that he is coming off a 20 goal, 31 point season, while Hunter Shinkaruk put up 49Gs. He did have 19 points in 20 games in the playoffs, so his game took it up notch. Forgive me if I want to see his offensive flourish a bit more before I start calling him elite. For the record I have Shinkaruk slightly ahead of Lazar but its only by one spot, both in the top 10.
There is some pretty big differences between Lazar and shinkaruk though. The two biggest reasons being ones that change your argument in a pretty big way.
1 and less important is that hunter had etem on the same line. That's a pretty big plus To have and one Lazar was not privy too.
Secondly and more importantly, Lazar was playing his rookie season and hunter was in his sophomore season. Lazar actually outacored hunter in their respective rookie years. Oh and he earned some top lie time on the whl champions down the stretch. That's pretty damn close to elite level talent if you ask me
