To be fair, some of those numbers are on the low side too. I think it's important to remember that some players have the advantage of playing on talented teams in the CHL(and in the CHL you have three different leagues - and the numbers from league to league are not going to be the same) or the NCAA, while others have to carry a much heavier load. On top of that, players develop at their own rate, so sometimes you're just looking at players who really started to peak a bit earlier than others, as well as others who took a bit more time.
Just a little more context.
Three notable low ones are Kesler, Staal, and Bergeron. They were only 17 those seasons, so the relatively low numbers are still pretty impressive.
McClement and Backes are the two real low scorers that did not score a lot as older players in their junior leagues.
You can make all the caveats you want, and it could explain any one or two prospects. Just like how you might use those caveats for our guys. I still think it's pretty striking how prolifically most of them scored.
Three notable low ones are Kesler, Staal, and Bergeron. They were only 17 those seasons, so the relatively low numbers are still pretty impressive.
McClement and Backes are the two real low scorers that did not score a lot as older players in their junior leagues.
You can make all the caveats you want, and it could explain any one or two prospects. Just like how you might use those caveats for our guys. I still think it's pretty striking how prolifically most of them scored.
NHL players need to be talented. There's no denying that. I just think the expectations are getting a little high here, and it seems a bit early to start expressing disappointment towards a player none of us have really been able to see. I mean, that's a list that consists of some Selke finalists(and winners). Those are pretty special players in their own right, and winning the Selke typically takes a combination of impressive offense, and great defense. That doesn't sound particularly realistic for Rakell.
Guys, we're 16 games into the OHL season and he's only three points shy of PPG. It's a bit early to write the obituary for Rakell's offense.
This. Plymouth's expectations going into the season were that of a perennial Memorial Cup-calibre team that just hasn't gelled for some reason. They have a top-notch first line, and a nice back-end, but a few more question marks than sure-things around their lineup. Like Exit said earlier, Rakell playing 'poorly' has more to do with the entire team than it does with him. He's still pulling substantial weight in all situations with the Whalers, and putting up very decent numbers.
Hm, sounds eerily similar to last season's situation for a certain SoCal NHL team.
Yup. Thankfully Vellucci has kept Rakell on the 1st line, most recently with Mistele and Meurs. Noesen hasn't been as lucky being bumped to the 2nd line.
They post starting lineups in twitter So far Rakell have been once on the 2nd and once on the 1st. Noesen both times on 2nd once in right and once in left wing.
Rakell has a puck-finds-him factor on the ice that some of our more prolific prospects notably lack. It's the kind of thing that in my experience bodes well for him at the next level.
One time, Rickard promised to pay me back the $5 he owed me, but he never did. It was a Rakell welch.
Rakell has a puck-finds-him factor on the ice that some of our more prolific prospects notably lack. It's the kind of thing that in my experience bodes well for him at the next level.
One time, Rickard promised to pay me back the $5 he owed me, but he never did. It was a Rakell welch.
Friberg seems to have this innate ability in spades as well. at least, in my very limited viewings of him. Just always seems to be in the right spot at the right time.
I think it might even go beyond that, and require the players to fall within the geographic area of the league.
I think you're right.
I wish they'd put together an American team for a 7th game. Looks like I'll have to wait till December to see Galchenyuk, Jones, and Gibson on the same team.
I wish they'd put together an American team for a 7th game. Looks like I'll have to wait till December to see Galchenyuk, Jones, and Gibson on the same team.
I'm really looking forward to that tourney. Partly because the 2013 draft looks pretty sexy, and partly because Anaheim is sending a couple of good players. It's hard to picture Gibson and Lindholm not being big factors in the success, or failure, of their respective teams.
Tim Heed has been loaned to Vasteras in Allsvenskan, where William Karlsson played last year. Among his new teammates are Patrik Berglund, Mikael Backlund and Brendan Mikkelson, as well as former Ducks prospect Stefan Warg. Interesting that Warg (a stay at home defenseman) already has 7 points in 19 games. Last season he had 5 points in 51 games, and two years ago 7 points in 50 games.
