D Darnell Nurse - Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds - (2013 Draft)

[tsujimoto74]

Originally Posted by Anth93

Nurse is a bit clumsy though.. Much like Tyler Myers in his draft year, the potential is there but he could also miss.

Similar to Myers how? Comparing them in their draft years, they're both very raw, but the play style is pretty different. Nurse is much more physical, where Myers really tried (and tries still) to use his reach and his stick more than his body. Nurse has also shown more offensively to date than Myers had before he was drafted (only 19pts in his draft year, then a burst up to 42 the year following).
I think a bit of Bambi-legs/clumsiness has to be expected with big kids like that; it will take them time to grow into their frames and move around comfortably. (I remember a pre-draft interview with Myers where he said he'd know when he'd grown another inch because he would just start tripping over his own feet all the time on the ice.)

[Anth93]

Originally Posted by Renegade Stylings

Yes, Siemens skating was his strongest asset in his draft year...along with his physical presence. He's an elite skater for someone his size and he's know grown to over 6'4 after being 6'3 in his draft season.

Siemens has improved leaps and bounds, especially with his overall decision making with and without the puck. This year he's been tremendous since mid-November when he wasn't invited to Team Canada's camp.

I haven't seen enough of Nurse to compare the two, they just sound like very similar players and I would love to have Nurse too as an Avalanche fan.

Well since I've been reading about you saying how great Siemens has been defensively this year and all that stuff, I don't see how you can compare them.

Nurse isn't steady and reliable. He's a guy you project long term because the upside is so high. His game would best be described as clumsy. Lots of fumbles and weird decisions, but then you see the right play happen and you immediately think, WOW this guy is the next thing.

EDIT: I personally wouldn't want the Leafs to draft him in the top 15. I just don't see him making an easy transition. To give you perspective, I thought Sproul was going to be one of the steals of the draft in 2011 and so far he is just that.

[Anth93]

Originally Posted by tsujimoto74

Similar to Myers how? Comparing them in their draft years, they're both very raw, but the play style is pretty different. Nurse is much more physical, where Myers really tried (and tries still) to use his reach and his stick more than his body. Nurse has also shown more offensively to date than Myers had before he was drafted (only 19pts in his draft year, then a burst up to 42 the year following).
I think a bit of Bambi-legs/clumsiness has to be expected with big kids like that; it will take them time to grow into their frames and move around comfortably. (I remember a pre-draft interview with Myers where he said he'd know when he'd grown another inch because he would just start tripping over his own feet all the time on the ice.)

If you believe this, then forget the Nurse/Myers comparison. That was the entire reasoning for it.

[tsujimoto74]

Originally Posted by Anth93

If you believe this, then forget the Nurse/Myers comparison. That was the entire reasoning for it.

Gotcha. It just seems to be common with kids that big, unless they reached that height at like 13 and are already used to it. Especially since there seems to be a pretty delicate balance, when you're that tall, between adding muscle and maintaining mobility.

[Mark Edwards]

Originally Posted by keppel146

Is Nurse kind of a twig?

If you mean thin, yes he is. He will need to bulk up but it's not like he is the only prospect this will apply to.

[LastWordArmy]

http://lastwordonsports.com/2013/04/19/darnell-nurse-2013-nhl-draft-player-profile-10/

We have him ranked in the top 10.

"TopShelfProspects Darnell Nurse comes from great athletic bloodlines, although they are a little different from what you would expect. The Hamilton, Ontario native is the nephew (by marriage) of former NFL Quarterback Donovan McNabb. His father, Richard Nurse was a a Wide Receiver for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the CFL."

[Roo Mad Bro]

Is his hockey sense question a legitimate concern?

How much offensive upside does he have?

[DousedInOil]

Originally Posted by Roo Mad Bro

Is his hockey sense question a legitimate concern?

How much offensive upside does he have?

It was at the start of the season but he has done a good job this year improving his decision making process.

[Anth93]

Originally Posted by Roo Mad Bro

Is his hockey sense question a legitimate concern?

How much offensive upside does he have?

Not at all and a lot. Since I was critical of him earlier in this thread, he really proved me wrong to end the year.