People really need to stop with that Henrique comparison. What you just described is a less offensively gifted Helm and from what I`ve seen, that`s a fairly accurate assessment of him.
Yes. The Henrique comparison was always a very superficial one (same team and draft round = similar player?). I like the Helm comparison.
Darren Helm scored 40 goals in the WHL the year after he was drafted.
Do I have a deja vu? I`m pretty sure Jason already mentioned that.
That`s why I said "less offensively gifted", which is obvious, but we`ve got to know some late bloomers, haven`t we? Obviously, not trying to imply that he`ll score at least half of Helm`s goals, but I wouldn`t project his future in the NHL based on his current numbers. At least not for now.
Rodwell doesn`t have much of a chance if any at this point. Johnson still has plenty of time to prove the doubters wrong.
Yes. The Henrique comparison was always a very superficial one (same team and draft round = similar player?). I like the Helm comparison.
Johnson is also an average-height, excellent defensive player who is great on the forecheck and uses his teammates surprisingly well for a player with limited offensive skill. It wasn't entirely superficial. It was just entirely unlikely for us to get TWO second-rounders to miraculously bloom into Calder candidates.
@ShawnReznikTHW
Confirmed by Reid Boucher that he will not be attending USA WJC camp.
I'm honestly not surprised....
USA may see him as too one-dimensional. He's got his outstanding shot but he doesn't really bring much else to the table to warrant him playing over some more well-rounded guys.
Hm. Does that mean he wasn't invited, chose not to go, what?
Hard to believe he wasn't invited.
I don't think it's hard to believe.
If Boucher were to make the team, it would have to be in a top six role. That's evident. Now, Boucher is an amazing shooter but the rest of his game is pretty raw and unpolished. He doesn't bring much to the table outside his shot. In a tournament like this especially where the USA team is going into it with an arguably weaker roster than teams like Russia and Canada, in those games, they need guys that have better all-around games. Boucher would have to be sheltered too much and is not worth it for that reason. They are better off icing guys that can play a better all-around game.
I kind of saw this coming, but it's not like it's the end all, be all for him. He's got a bright future, and it'll be interesting to see how he plays without Galchenyuk.
People really need to stop with that Henrique comparison. What you just described is a less offensively gifted Helm and from what I`ve seen, that`s a fairly accurate assessment of him. People should not expect him to produce at a high rate, even less while playing on a struggling team. What they should expect is what you said, quickness and top notch defense mixed with a little bit of an offensive spark.
He could become a valuable bottom 6er.
If he turns into a poor man's Helm, I think I would be ok with that.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Eggers
Sometimes I'm reminded what really makes the Devils board special here. I don't know why I ever bother with the main board.
Do I have a deja vu? I`m pretty sure Jason already mentioned that.
That`s why I said "less offensively gifted", which is obvious, but we`ve got to know some late bloomers, haven`t we? Obviously, not trying to imply that he`ll score at least half of Helm`s goals, but I wouldn`t project his future in the NHL based on his current numbers. At least not for now.
Rodwell doesn`t have much of a chance if any at this point. Johnson still has plenty of time to prove the doubters wrong.
You're right not to completely right someone off, but generally speaking, if a forward is below a .50 PPG pace in the OHL, it does not bode well.
If you look at the majority of NHL bottom sixers, they were usually pretty prolific scorers in juniors.
OHL:
Ben Thomson - 1 goal (PP), -2 in Kitchener's 3-2 SO loss vs. Guelph
Season stats: 28 games, 5 goals, 6 assists, -5, 42 PIM
Kitchener is 18-8-3
WHL:
Reece Scarlett - 1 assist (PP), -1 in Swift Current's 2-1 loss at Kamloops
Graham Black - E for Swift Current
*Swift Current led 1-0 with 104 seconds left, gave up 2 goals in 31 seconds
Season stats:
Black - 29 games, 14 goals, 11 assists, +5, 12/22 PIM
Scarlett - 28 games, 3 goals, 11 assists, -3, 22 PIM
Swift Current is 12-14-5 :shake:
NCAA:
Blake Pietila - E, 12 PIM (slash, misconduct), 1 shot in Michigan Tech's 2-1 loss at Northern Michigan
Season stats: 13 games, 8 goals, 2 assists, -1, 24 PIM
Michigan Tech is 4-8-1
OHL:
Ben Thomson - 1 goal (PP), -2 in Kitchener's 3-2 SO loss vs. Guelph
Season stats: 28 games, 5 goals, 6 assists, -5, 42 PIM
Kitchener is 18-8-3
WHL:
Reece Scarlett - 1 assist (PP), -1 in Swift Current's 2-1 loss at Kamloops
Graham Black - E for Swift Current
*Swift Current led 1-0 with 104 seconds left, gave up 2 goals in 31 seconds
Season stats:
Black - 29 games, 14 goals, 11 assists, +5, 12/22 PIM
Scarlett - 28 games, 3 goals, 11 assists, -3, 22 PIM
Swift Current is 12-14-5 :shake:
NCAA:
Blake Pietila - E, 12 PIM (slash, misconduct), 1 shot in Michigan Tech's 2-1 loss at Northern Michigan
Season stats: 13 games, 8 goals, 2 assists, -1, 24 PIM
Michigan Tech is 4-8-1
