Hows Nemeth doing? Any problems with the smaller ice surface? He was a pretty physical player in Elitserien so I thought that he would flourish on smaller surface.
The physical part of his game hasn't been very noticeable unfortunately. He seems unsure of himself and not willing to commit to making big hits. Sometimes it looks like he's caught in between wanting to play aggressively and wanting to play conservatively. Some of that is getting used to the rink dimensions and his responsibilities in coverage. I've actually thought he's looked his best when he's gotten involved in the play in the offensive zone.
I think hes a players who really needs his confidense on top. I remember during the time he was with AIK that sometimes he had slumps, but when he got a streak of hits and good games going he was a beast. He has shown flashes of offense, especially in the playoffs when he really carried the team on his back with his hard work and pushed the team up the ice. That really showed during the wjc I think where he got like 5-6assists i think and was the one who hold the puck in the off-zone and eventually got it to zibanejad for the game winning goal.
Really hope he gets his game together because I really believe that he has what it takes to be a mean hard-hitting mofo and a good nhl defender.
I'm trying to think of NHL players who compare to Nemeth's style. His relatively slow AHL start notwithstanding, is Kronwall a decent comp?
Kronwall lite I guess, gotta improve his overall offense. In AIK he was 90% of the time this really good defensive defensman who could dish out some good hits, but wasnt a point-machine exactly.
Been paying attention to Nemeth, and it looks like he's being hampered by over coaching. Those indecisive moments were there with Larsen in the beginning as well. As soon as he started playing his game and getting confidence from the team, he was going nowhere but up.
If he sticks to great transitions and gets in with the offense, he's a very potent weapon. Would definitely like to see those open ice ice hits ala Kronwall back soon though. Kid can ****in hit.
Volchenkov seems like a good comparable. Doesn't just absolutely destroy people like Kronwall, but is extremely physical all over the ice. Defensive specialist too, won't do much offensively ever.
Volchenkov seems like a good comparable. Doesn't just absolutely destroy people like Kronwall, but is extremely physical all over the ice. Defensive specialist too, won't do much offensively ever.
What's your idea of "much"?
He's not a lug on the ice at all and can handle the puck pretty well. I hate over-selling a prospect's potential but even more than that I hate selling a guy short. I'm not expecting a 50 point defenseman but if he turned in a string of 30 point seasons I wouldn't be shocked.
Maybe I'm misunderstanding this, but I don't really see how they aren't...
Quote:
Originally Posted by glovesave_35
What's your idea of "much"?
He's not a lug on the ice at all and can handle the puck pretty well. I hate over-selling a prospect's potential but even more than that I hate selling a guy short. I'm not expecting a 50 point defenseman but if he turned in a string of 30 point seasons I wouldn't be shocked.
15-20 points. Not much in terms of a #3-4, but not Fistric bad either.
On second thought, that's just below #3-4 production...
High side: A Well-below-the-poverty-line Kevin Lowe.
Low side: Nicklas Grossman(n) with better puck skills.
well Nicklas Grossmann could make a pretty strong case for having a negative number for his puck handling ability in the next NHL game (whenever that will be.. do they release those games during a lockout?), so I'm not sure what to think about that..
I'll accept a Nicklas Grossmann with *any* puck skills.
If you really want to stretch, then you could see similarities between him and Pronger.
He's a big presence in front of the net, he makes a great first pass, he can transition very fast, and he's got a rocket shot. I think if you put him out on the PP with a guy like Larsen, then it could be a really, REALLY good dynamic between the two.
Does that mean he'll be a Pronger? No, but there are comparatives there.
I have a feeling that we're going to end up wishing Nemeth was more physical, much like we did with Grossman. Nemeth should be a better hockey player though.
Stars finally play again late tonight up in British Columbia. 9 PM start.
Seems Glennie is out too with a hand injury for a while. Might see A Smith called up if both are out?
