Don't want to hijack this thread into a DT vs DL post but you also need to factor in trades involving picks IMO. As for Kopitar most of the credit for him becoming a top line NHL center should go to his father and Kopitar himself. As a teen he was mature beyond his years and his admiring Fedorov truly shows in his top notch two way play. Yes Brown was rushed into the NHL but then again so was a player like Clifford IMO.
One was 18, the other 19. One jumped straight to the NHL right after being drafted, one got another year of junior in. One was being groomed for a top two line role, the other was a 3rd line banger.
If a guy is only expected to make minimal contributions, typically that player can be rushed a bit.
One was 18, the other 19. One jumped straight to the NHL right after being drafted, one got another year of junior in. One was being groomed for a top two line role, the other was a 3rd line banger.
If a guy is only expected to make minimal contributions, typically that player can be rushed a bit.
Well since Dustin Brown was a late birthday his rookie year was his 19 year old year.
Otherwise I do agree.
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2012 STANLEY CUP CHAMPIONS LA KINGS!!! GO JETS GO!
Brown was aprroximately 18 years, 11 months old when he debuted, Clifford was approximately 19 years, 9 months. So still nearly a full years difference. But yes, you are right Holden, he was almost 19 when he reached the NHL.
M as in Michigan (yay) or M as in Minnesota (boo!)? Go Michigan. Hopefully they steamroll everyone at the CCHA tourney. 24 years in a row.
Sorry M as in Minny.
This is my first year where I had reason to spend so much time following the WCHA. I get a game here or there in while traveling back and forth but this year I spent a little over a month doing so. ND played ScS, Wisc and an outside game in Omaha during part of my time there. Lots of great hockey. Saw some solid H.S. hockey too.
One was 18, the other 19. One jumped straight to the NHL right after being drafted, one got another year of junior in. One was being groomed for a top two line role, the other was a 3rd line banger.
If a guy is only expected to make minimal contributions, typically that player can be rushed a bit.
The point is both players were rushed. Yes Brown was drafted as a top six forward but he had little left to work on in junior and his abrasive style was very much needed on that LA team at the time. Clifford is showing he is more than just a grinder and fighter and I think another year in junior would have really helped his overall game develop quicker AND his offensive game. The problem when drafting players that are physically nhl ready is they are often able to play in the NHL but not in the role they were drafted. Joe Thornton was in a similar spot his rookie year.
The point is both players were rushed. Yes Brown was drafted as a top six forward but he had little left to work on in junior and his abrasive style was very much needed on that LA team at the time. Clifford is showing he is more than just a grinder and fighter and I think another year in junior would have really helped his overall game develop quicker AND his offensive game. The problem when drafting players that are physically nhl ready is they are often able to play in the NHL but not in the role they were drafted. Joe Thornton was in a similar spot his rookie year.
I think a great way to determine if a player is rushed is their success in their first season. Brown had very little (like Thornton). Clifford more than handled his own. I don't think Clifford was rushed at all.
Question have there been any rumors of the Kings signing any College Free agents? we have done good in the pass with Purcell, Drewiske, O'Neil.. and others ... just wondering if heard anything thanks... Also reminder Forbort, Mersch, will play later in the WCHA quarterfinals... if you have Time Warner channel 260 (Mersch,Wisconsin) at 2 pm and then channel 259 at 5 (Forbort, North Dakota)...
Question have there been any rumors of the Kings signing any College Free agents? we have done good in the pass with Purcell, Drewiske, O'Neil.. and others ... just wondering if heard anything thanks... Also reminder Forbort, Mersch, will play later in the WCHA quarterfinals... if you have Time Warner channel 260 (Mersch,Wisconsin) at 2 pm and then channel 259 at 5 (Forbort, North Dakota)...
Someone posted a link in one of the threads on Kings board here that LA is one of several pursuing Andrej Sustr.
Sounds like the favorites to land Sustr may be the Islanders.
Really? Good for them, but seems like an odd fit. Even if Visnovsky and Streit leave, they'll have (assuming they resign their RFA's) Hamonic, MacDonald, Strait, Hickey, Carkner and Finley from the current pro roster, and you'd have to expect Reinhart and De Haan will be in the mix. And if they let Streit and Visnovsky walk, Snow would be wise to add a good vet for the top four. Carkner as your defensive leader isn't a good plan.
I think a great way to determine if a player is rushed is their success in their first season. Brown had very little (like Thornton). Clifford more than handled his own. I don't think Clifford was rushed at all.
IMO Clifford could have benefitted from another year in junior more than Brown in his rookie year. We need to remember that Brown made the roster due to his hitting and hustle similar to Clifford. Yes he didn't score but he did develop better than a year in junior cause his hands and puck skills were already developed.
Really? Good for them, but seems like an odd fit. Even if Visnovsky and Streit leave, they'll have (assuming they resign their RFA's) Hamonic, MacDonald, Strait, Hickey, Carkner and Finley from the current pro roster, and you'd have to expect Reinhart and De Haan will be in the mix. And if they let Streit and Visnovsky walk, Snow would be wise to add a good vet for the top four. Carkner as your defensive leader isn't a good plan.
Then again it is Snow.
I think the Isles present the best opportunity for Sustr to make it to the pros as I don't expect Finley to be in their long term plans and there is an opportunity for Sustr to appear in some games this season.
