Jared Cowen Vs. Kevin Shattenkirk

[bluemandan]

Originally Posted by WilderPegasus

I don't think he is any worse in those departments than Chara.

But Cowen is FAR from the physical specimen that Chara is.

Chara has 4" and ~28 pounds (~12kg) on Cowen.

[HockeyThoughts]

Shattenkirk, not close.

[Beville]

Personally, the way I see it... Both have the potential (to their teams) to be like a Weber/Suter pairing...

Both should do well, and easily solidify themselves as top-2 dmen... Cowen is, imo, a bright potential for an elite physical shutdown Dman...

[Micklebot]

Originally Posted by bluemandan

But Cowen is FAR from the physical specimen that Chara is.

Chara has 4" and ~28 pounds (~12kg) on Cowen.

In fairness, Chara was only 231 pds in his rookie year. Give Cowen time and he'll narrow that gap (though your point remains to some extent anyways)

TBH, Shattenkirk has developed exactly like you'd want, where as Cowen still has questions as to how he will develop, so the question is really do you think Cowen will hit or exceed expectations. If you answer is no, then Shattenkirk will clearly be the better of the 2.

[Minister of Offence]

Originally Posted by bluemandan

But Cowen is FAR from the physical specimen that Chara is.

Chara has 4" and ~28 pounds (~12kg) on Cowen.

By the time he's 25 Cowen will probably be most ogre like player in the league. By this time Chara will be gone. You may see Cowen at 245 someday.

I still maintain that at the moment, regardless of size differences, Chara's puck skills, lateral mobility and poise with the puck are all better than Cowen's. Cowen's lucky though his offensive hockey sense actually appears adequate to land him on the powerplay...it's whether the other stuff comes up to par.