Their work ethic is about equal from what I've heard.
Leadership? How could you know that Alex has none? Do you have locker room access?
Don't get me wrong Gaunce is a nice little player, but Galchenyuk has world class skill, which our team DESPERATELY needs at Center. While we already have a bunch of character guys in our system, we need top end talent with size. Alex brings both.
From a Center standpoint of finding someone to play with Kessel and Lupul, I think Gaunce may be the better fit than Galchenyuk.
Gaunce who is not untalented himself can cycle the puck with Lupul, where Kessel can find the soft spots to be the sniper on the makings of a formidable line. Galchenyuk no doubt is a very good transition player, but I believe Carlyle is trying to make us a cycle and transition team. Both and not just 1 as Wilson had us play to. Gaunce is a better fit IMO, and he is just the type of leadership types we are drafting, ie. Former Captains Percy and Biggs.
Interactif: i agree with you that Gaunce has great intangibles, and has pretty solid upside, as I'm an advocate of taking him in thae later part of the top 10, but there really is no comparison to make between he and Galchenyuk.
Again, Gally is in conversation for #1 overall if his season isn't wiped out with the injury. His talent is undeniable, and his upside offensively is outrageously high. This is a kid who can be your set-up guy, while having 35-40+ goal potential. He's already a solid defensive contributor, and loves driving the net, and battling on the wall. Having seen him play in person 8 or 9 times, as well as the other OHL'ers a handful of times, there's no question that he's the prospect that best fits our most glaring need. We're talking about a situation where the Leafs will be able to get the #1 center prospect we've needed since the Sundin era.
I agree with you, the injury is obviously a concern. Any time you have a ligament injury in your knee, it's a long road back to your old self, but watching him in the playoffs has erased most people's doubts, and a good combine performance will seal his draft position. He showed little to no ill effects (physically) during the Saginaw series, and his skating is almost back to 100%. He was the best player on the ice for either team in a few games, and had the Sting not shat the bed, he would've only gotten better.
We NEED to take him, unless by some disaster, we end up at the back-end of the top 10. If that's the case, I'm with you. Take Gaunce, and know you have a kid that could turn out to be your 2nd line center for 10 years, and wear a letter as a team leader.
You can't go wrong with either, but for our purposes and needs, it has to be one of Grigorenko or Galchenyuk. If Gally plays a whole season this year, there's no question that Gally is the pick, but we would be screwed, as we wouldn't have a sniff at picking him, unless Burke works some bigtime trade magic.
Don't get me wrong, Galchenyuk is a nice prospect. I just don't see him as being any different than what we have in abundance already. We want players that go in straight lines, that can play with character, skill, truculence and will. Looking at the players we have drafted in the past few years, there seems to be an emphasis on these qualities. You can't have a team full of dancers.
Galchenyuk and Kessel on the 1st line with Lupul if this is the line we are going fwd with doesn't seem as intimidating as a Gaunce, Lupul, Kessel line. More straight line players and less circling ones.
If Grigorenko were available I'd be all in, his game is more understated but he produces big points. That's what you want, not the flashiest player but one that has 2 or 3 pts in a game and you didn't notice him.
Don't get me wrong, Galchenyuk is a nice prospect. I just don't see him as being any different than what we have in abundance already. We want players that go in straight lines, that can play with character, skill, truculence and will. Looking at the players we have drafted in the past few years, there seems to be an emphasis on these qualities. You can't have a team full of dancers.
Galchenyuk and Kessel on the 1st line with Lupul if this is the line we are going fwd with doesn't seem as intimidating as a Gaunce, Lupul, Kessel line. More straight line players and less circling ones.
If Grigorenko were available I'd be all in, his game is more understated but he produces big points. That's what you want, not the flashiest player but one that has 2 or 3 pts in a game and you didn't notice him.
There is no way in hell we take Gaunce of Galchenyuk. Galchenyuk is exactly what we need for the first line. A decently big, tough skilled player who is good defensively. Galchenyuk may not be physically intimidating, but he can take a hit and go hard into the corners.
Anyone thinks Subban will last until 34/35? Or will Montreal snatch him if he falls to the 2nd?
Don't get me wrong, Galchenyuk is a nice prospect. I just don't see him as being any different than what we have in abundance already. We want players that go in straight lines, that can play with character, skill, truculence and will. Looking at the players we have drafted in the past few years, there seems to be an emphasis on these qualities. You can't have a team full of dancers.
Galchenyuk and Kessel on the 1st line with Lupul if this is the line we are going fwd with doesn't seem as intimidating as a Gaunce, Lupul, Kessel line. More straight line players and less circling ones.
If Grigorenko were available I'd be all in, his game is more understated but he produces big points. That's what you want, not the flashiest player but one that has 2 or 3 pts in a game and you didn't notice him.
Yuk playing with Grabo also could be a solid combo in the future.
Don't get me wrong, Galchenyuk is a nice prospect. I just don't see him as being any different than what we have in abundance already. We want players that go in straight lines, that can play with character, skill, truculence and will. Looking at the players we have drafted in the past few years, there seems to be an emphasis on these qualities. You can't have a team full of dancers.
Galchenyuk and Kessel on the 1st line with Lupul if this is the line we are going fwd with doesn't seem as intimidating as a Gaunce, Lupul, Kessel line. More straight line players and less circling ones.
If Grigorenko were available I'd be all in, his game is more understated but he produces big points. That's what you want, not the flashiest player but one that has 2 or 3 pts in a game and you didn't notice him.
Grigorenko couldn't tie Gally's skates when it comes to grittiness or desire to play in the corners and drive the net. He also doesn't play even close to Galchenyuk in the defensive zone. I would take Grigs in a heartbeat if he was there for us, and Gally wasn't.
I also understand the liking of Gaunce, as I think his skills and leadership are perfect for our SECOND line. He's the kind of kid you want to roll out for interviews after a game, and allow the media access to, because he's well spoken, and a good character kid. The bottom line is, however, we need a guy who can be a set-up guy on that first line, while still having the ability to finish plays on his own. Gaunce may be superior in the cycle game AT THIS POINT, but there's no indication that Galchenyuk won't develop this part of his game better if we get him in the system, learning defensive technique from Carlyle and Co.
The real difference, I guees... to me at least, is that you can teach defensive responsibility and the cycle to a kid that is willing, which Gally definitely is. You cannot, however, teach natural ability and talent. That's not to say that Gaunce doesn't have any, or doesn't have any offensive upside, but we're talking about a guy (in Gally) that has world class offensive talent and instincts, and still possesses the drive to learn and refine the finer points of being a #1 center, like his defensive responsibilities, and great board play.
The big difference between the two is the offensive talent, which far and away favours Galchenyuk, and the intanbibles, which at this point favour Gaunce. It's hard to tell about Gally's leadership ability, as we can't be in the dressing room, but what you see on the ice when you watch him, is that he can take over a game, slow the game down for himself, and pick the opposition apart. He definitely benefits from playing in North America for the last few years.
Also, nobody is going to mistake Grigorenko for a player who drives the net hard, or plays well in his own zone. At this point, he's more of a one-trick pony, where Galchenyuk is a more complete player. Either way, I don't think we can go wrong with any of the 3, dependent on where we pick, of course.
Galchenyuk
Grigorenko
Gaunce
In that order (for me, at least).
Edit: at this point, the only player in our system that even has a talent level close to Gally's is Kadri's vision, hands, and playmaking ability. But Gally is a superior talent in comparison, in most facets.
Last edited by ErnieLeafs: 04-02-2012 at 09:55 AM.
Wouldn't touch Domi. He's redundant when you have Ross and Biggs.... Guys who will actually back their mouths up.
I want to see Domi get his lights put out hard, so he stops the clown act he so often rolls out. He should be embarassed with the show he put on in game 1 against the Spits. Ran his big mouth, and pulled a Subban/Hartnell/Avery and ducked out to let someone else fight his battle that he started (he was going to get THROTTLED by McAnn). I really hope Tie has a talk with him... Because he's going to get punked bigtime with that garbage.
Not to mention, he's not even close to as tough as his old man. He'll have a short career if he tries to bring this act to the show.
Grigorenko couldn't tie Gally's skates when it comes to grittiness or desire to play in the corners and drive the net. He also doesn't play even close to Galchenyuk in the defensive zone. I would take Grigs in a heartbeat if he was there for us, and Gally wasn't.
I also understand the liking of Gaunce, as I think his skills and leadership are perfect for our SECOND line. He's the kind of kid you want to roll out for interviews after a game, and allow the media access to, because he's well spoken, and a good character kid. The bottom line is, however, we need a guy who can be a set-up guy on that first line, while still having the ability to finish plays on his own. Gaunce may be superior in the cycle game AT THIS POINT, but there's no indication that Galchenyuk won't develop this part of his game better if we get him in the system, learning defensive technique from Carlyle and Co.
The real difference, I guees... to me at least, is that you can teach defensive responsibility and the cycle to a kid that is willing, which Gally definitely is. You cannot, however, teach natural ability and talent. That's not to say that Gaunce doesn't have any, or doesn't have any offensive upside, but we're talking about a guy (in Gally) that has world class offensive talent and instincts, and still possesses the drive to learn and refine the finer points of being a #1 center, like his defensive responsibilities, and great board play.
The big difference between the two is the offensive talent, which far and away favours Galchenyuk, and the intanbibles, which at this point favour Gaunce. It's hard to tell about Gally's leadership ability, as we can't be in the dressing room, but what you see on the ice when you watch him, is that he can take over a game, slow the game down for himself, and pick the opposition apart. He definitely benefits from playing in North America for the last few years.
Also, nobody is going to mistake Grigorenko for a player who drives the net hard, or plays well in his own zone. At this point, he's more of a one-trick pony, where Galchenyuk is a more complete player. Either way, I don't think we can go wrong with any of the 3, dependent on where we pick, of course.
Galchenyuk
Grigorenko
Gaunce
In that order (for me, at least).
Edit: at this point, the only player in our system that even has a talent level close to Gally's is Kadri's vision, hands, and playmaking ability. But Gally is a superior talent in comparison, in most facets.
To me all bets are off if Yakupov and Grigorenko are off the table, if we are sitting 5th in the draft and Dumba is available I would take him. It's not as if we have a franchise player on defence, or goal or fwd for that matter. Need help everywhere, Center is just the most glaring need because this Org has had a no #1 Center since Sundin. I'm a believer in BPA, unless the spread is close, if it is not and Dumba is available I hope we take him. He's that good IMO.
Wouldn't touch Domi. He's redundant when you have Ross and Biggs.... Guys who will actually back their mouths up.
I want to see Domi get his lights put out hard, so he stops the clown act he so often rolls out. He should be embarassed with the show he put on in game 1 against the Spits. Ran his big mouth, and pulled a Subban/Hartnell/Avery and ducked out to let someone else fight his battle that he started (he was going to get THROTTLED by McAnn). I teally hope Tie has a talk with him... Because he's going to get punked bigtime with that garbage.
I haven't seen Max play so I don't really know. I was thinking more along the lines of a Ulf and Tie reunion on the fathers road trip and how much fun that might be.
Wouldn't touch Domi. He's redundant when you have Ross and Biggs.... Guys who will actually back their mouths up.
I want to see Domi get his lights put out hard, so he stops the clown act he so often rolls out. He should be embarassed with the show he put on in game 1 against the Spits. Ran his big mouth, and pulled a Subban/Hartnell/Avery and ducked out to let someone else fight his battle that he started (he was going to get THROTTLED by McAnn). I really hope Tie has a talk with him... Because he's going to get punked bigtime with that garbage.
Not to mention, he's not even close to as tough as his old man. He'll have a short career if he tries to bring this act to the show.
sounds like the apple didn't fall too far from the Dummi tree...
When was the last time Canada stepped up at the WJC?
Anyway, do we forget he recently came off a concussion? I wonder if he should be playing?
What concussion ? He had a scrape on the side of his head . The "concussion " was a ruse to get Halmo booted and it worked. Beaulieu held him out of the last weekend to drive the point home.
In regards to the WJC what about the huge string of gold medals that Canada pulled off before the last couple of years ? Or does none of that count ?
Yakkie has explosive talent like Ovechkin, however , his disappearing act in the last half of the Saginaw Series would be a real concern for me if I was a GM.
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