I've always seen Zibanejad as Hossa-lite, but I don't think at this rate he's going to reach that label.
He's a project, yes, but rarely do star players show nothing for years before they blossom. I'm not convinced Z has the offensive mind to be a ppg two-way player in the NHL. I remember watching Hossa and you could see the continuous progression. There was one year, I think 03-04, where he came back from summer camp totally jacked and turned his game up a notch. I think he was 23-24 at that point, but even before then you could see it in him. Again, I'm not sure if Mika has it in him.
Loooooooooooooooooooooool, it's not even 14 games into the AHL season and people withdrawing what they think of Zibanejad. A couple shots that were glove saved by the goalies that went in would have changed all this. Give him time. He has EVERYTHING needed to become a superstar in this league.
Loooooooooooooooooooooool, it's not even 14 games into the AHL season and people withdrawing what they think of Zibanejad. A couple shots that were glove saved by the goalies that went in would have changed all this. Give him time. He has EVERYTHING needed to become a superstar in this league.
Really? How come he's never been his team's top scorer? I don't think too many are basing their critisism (I consider it as much trying to keep people's expectations down to earth rather than bashing our own players, though) of his lack of scoring in the small sample that are his AHL games, but his play there might have solidified some concerns many have had.
As for Hossa, he was always way smarter, way more skilled. He tore up the Slovakian men's league in his draft year and the WHL in his first year in North America, produced lots for two ****** Slovakian U20 teams at the WJC. He then went on to put up 0.5 PPG in his first year as an NHLer. No matter what way you look at it, there's not much similar in their career paths.
This Swedish player was drafted in 2003. Here are his stats, (year signifigance in bold)
2002-2003 Vastra Frolunda HC Goteborg Jr.-Swe-Jr. 30 16 15 31 10 DRAFT YEAR IN JR
2002-2003 Sweden-WJ18-A 6 5 2 7 12
2003-2004 Vastra Frolunda HC Goteborg-Sweden 46 8 5 13 Season Following Draft
2003-2004 Sweden-WJC-A 6 1 1 2
2004-2005 Frolunda HC Goteborg-Sweden 39 5 9 14 Season 2 Post Draft
2004-2005 Sweden-WJC-A 6 2 3 5
2005-2006 ???-AHL 78 31 29 60 Season 3 Post Draft, 1st in NA
2006-2007 ??? 59 6 13 19 Season 4 Post Draft, 1st in NHL
The player in question is...[Loui Eriksson]
It took him 3 years post-draft to break out offensively. Mika is currently on year 2, putting up very comparable stats.
IMO, if Mika had a better team to play for in Sweden, he would have been left in Sweden 1 more season to develop. The only difference between Mika and Loui at this time, is that Loui was given an extra year in Europe, and consequently was able to put up very good numbers the following year, where as Mika is attempting to make the jump 1 year earlier.
If Mika doesn't start producing offensively by next season, I could see a slight reason to worry, but it's WAAAY to early to judge at this point.
Usually I'd say what Xspyrit said but I am under the impression that the Sens may have passed over a defensemen to take Zibanejad. Whether Zibanejad was ahead of that player or not on the list they had at the table, I'm not sure, nor does it really matter. IIRC Pierre Dorion did imply they passed on a defensemen they may have liked a tad more to take a forward.
It is typical of fans here in general to spout off about "always take BPA" and acting like they know who the BPA was because they looked at some stupid rankings that the teams don't pay any attention to.
I'm not sure we should be acting like Doug Hamilton is a can't miss franchise defensemen. And if we did pass on a Dman, there's no guarantee that it wasn't Jonas Brodin, either.
I remember that too sadly. What a shame. Especially since Cowen can't stay healthy, our defence is old and slow, Ceci hasn't progressed like I would have liked him too so far this year, and the 2013 draft is stacked with forwards...
I remember that too sadly. What a shame. Especially since Cowen can't stay healthy, our defence is old and slow, Ceci hasn't progressed like I would have liked him too so far this year, and the 2013 draft is stacked with forwards...
I don't have time to read through every post on this board!
If I have to, you should too.
Just kidding. As if I have the time, energy or interest to actually read every single post on this forum. This is why the report button is your best friend if you see a post that breaks the rules.
__________________
No, I'm not a girl. Stop asking!
I remember that too sadly. What a shame. Especially since Cowen can't stay healthy, our defence is old and slow, Ceci hasn't progressed like I would have liked him too so far this year, and the 2013 draft is stacked with forwards...
I'm also getting the feeling Ceci isn't having that great of a year. The 67s thread has nearly no mention of him. Usually around here if a prospect is playing badly its better to keep silent rather than post something negative.
