All three played together at the World Junior Championships a few years ago, all three got picked in the 1st round in the NHL and all three play a similar game. As of today, who is the best out of the three and who would you pick for your team?
The other two, quite frankly, aren't very good and huge disappointments.
You should check out the Pacioretty vs JVR thread in the poll section started at the beginning of the season. Some people still think, for some reason, that JVR is and will be the best player down the road. Go figure.
Not much debate if we're discussing this past season. Pacioretty had a breakout year and had a much healthier season than JVR and Okposo. But never EVER judge young players by one year. Haven't seen Okposo much, but JVR has shown flashes of brilliance that just might make him a star, if the Flyers can afford to wait.
We may even get a taste of JVR's potential in the next two weeks...
JVR I thought was going to 'arrive' this season and he didn't deliver AND had the added bonus of getting his bell rung. I still believe in him but if he's going to become the player we all thought he was, he'd better get around to it soon.
As for Max. Guy basically drives the net and logs a ton of shots. Not the fanciest goal scorer in the world but he's got a good shot. Reminds me of a John Leclair type guy. Big, strong, puts the puck on the net... nothing fancy but effective. Too bad the Habs don't have an elite center to go along with him.
At this point it's patches hands down, but I suppose next year JVR or Okposo could turn around and have the kind of season Max had this year, but it doesn't seem likely.
Did anyone see JVR in the playoffs last year? He looked like the best player in the damn world. If he had time to get things going without multiple injuries this year he would've had plenty of points. He'll turn into a solid player for sure.
I voted Pacioretty - he has best realized his talent. Okposo is close to there (he had a 20-goal season this year and a better second-half), but JVR is a bit more distant than both Pacioretty AND Okposo...and IINM, JVR was the highest-drafted of them all.
Currently
1. Max Pacioretty
2. James van Riemsdyk
3. Kyle Okposo
Next year predictions
Pacioretty: 80GP, 35G, 35A, 70P, 60PIM
van Riemsdyk: 78GP, 30G, 30A, 60P, 50PIM
Okposo: 80GP, 28G, 30A, 58P, 55PIM
Pacioretty was by far the least talked about among the three heading into their careers, but he has worked very hard on improving his game and can realistically be considered a top-line forward; not an elite player, at least not yet, but a guy who I'd be happy to call my team's top left winger. JVR has had troubles this year, but the talent is there to do the same. I'd put him behind Patches, but I refuse to close the door on him.
Okposo always felt like he's a great option in your top-six, but not someone I'd necessarily want on a top line at his peak. Perhaps if he can compliment the other two forwards, then that is another story, but I do not see him as a true top line forward at any point in his career.
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Exhibit A as to how hockey doesn't matter on ESPN:
Last night an ESPN program was discussing how the Detroit Pistons needed a hero citing the heroes on the Detroit Tigers, Detroit Lions and no mention of the Detroit Red Wings. All this despite the Red Wings probably being the most succesful team in Detroit right now.
Pacioretty was by far the least talked about among the three heading into their careers, but he has worked very hard on improving his game and can realistically be considered a top-line forward; not an elite player, at least not yet, but a guy who I'd be happy to call my team's top left winger. JVR has had troubles this year, but the talent is there to do the same. I'd put him behind Patches, but I refuse to close the door on him.
Okposo always felt like he's a great option in your top-six, but not someone I'd necessarily want on a top line at his peak. Perhaps if he can compliment the other two forwards, then that is another story, but I do not see him as a true top line forward at any point in his career.
I agree with this. Patches is an average skilled player whose commitment to the game helps in accel, kid wil continue to become a solid player for the Canadians. JVR just needs to stay healthy and break out, I have been waiting for this for a while. Okposo has talent but is stuck in the losing mentality it seems.
I agree with this. Patches is an average skilled player whose commitment to the game helps in accel, kid wil continue to become a solid player for the Canadians. JVR just needs to stay healthy and break out, I have been waiting for this for a while. Okposo has talent but is stuck in the losing mentality it seems.
Its true that Patches is average skilled player. Nothing stands out in his game, but at 6"2 200 pounds, he is a really, really good skater, fluid and fast and his wrist shot is hard and accurate. Had to that decent puck handling/control skills, a nice enough vision of the ice, he plays within his limitation, never try to do too much with the puck.
Scoring 33 goals and 65pts this year, on this anemic attack, amazing feat really.
Heck, having a 33 and 35 goals scorer on the Habs this season, its the first time since 1995... And we finish last.
I can forgive an opposition fan for thinking JVR isn't very good. He's not been in the spotlight but that's because he's spent all year either injured or recovering from an injury. The last time he was fully fit he was dominant. Flat out dominant.
