As the season goes on in Hamilton, Perezhogin is just making huge steps everytime he's on the ice. I know that its an unfair comparaison but Perezhogin does have a far better first year than Balej. The two players have a similar style: Nice moves, speed and shot. However there is one reason why Perezhogin seem to have a better future: Grit and Desire. On the game that ive watch he was always the most hardworking player on the ice, playing an "your face type of game". Perezhogin just never stops working till he's on the bench plus he has great skills, that is recepie for success.
I'm not saying that Balej doesnt work hard but he doesnt show that same grit that Perezhogin has. Who has the better potentiel?
From the 4-5 games I saw Perezhogin and/or Balej play in I can say (not without a doubt, but close to it) that Perezhogin seems to have better hockey sense, way beyond his years. That's what struck me the most from him. He's got that anticipation and flair that cannot be thought and that you need to become a dominant player at the NHL level.
To me, Balej is more of a flashy player, with great creativity, puck control, fancy moves and speed to burn, but IMO he's never going to be as smart a player on the ice as Perezhogin. Balej IMO has the potential to become quite good, in the 30g 60pts range, but Perezhogin has that star quality. So in terms of potential, I'll have to go with Perezhogin, but of course he's far from safe to reach it, as he's struggled to adapt to the more physical kind of play at the begining, and I really wonder if he'll be able to make the next step (NHL) without gaining a bit of bulk so he doesn't get knocked around all season long.
I know people will say he's got decent size at 6' 185lbs, but from what I saw, I'd say this guy is no more than 5'11" and 175lbs at the very best. He's REALLY small. If he can add 10lbs of muscle (and a bit more balance as a result) during the summer, he'll be a prospect that will sky rocket in our depth chart, and IMO will easily go over the PPG production if he remains in the AHL one more year with his fellow countryman Andrei Kastsitsyn. The only thing right now that could hold him from becoming a 1st liner in the NHL is his strenght. If he works on that, sky's the limit, because he's got everything else (shot, skating, speed, mobility, agility, hockey sense, passing skills, work ethic, etc.)
From the 4-5 games I saw Perezhogin and/or Balej play in I can say (not without a doubt, but close to it) that Perezhogin seems to have better hockey sense, way beyond his years. That's what struck me the most from him. He's got that anticipation and flair that cannot be thought and that you need to become a dominant player at the NHL level.
To me, Balej is more of a flashy player, with great creativity, puck control, fancy moves and speed to burn, but IMO he's never going to be as smart a player on the ice as Perezhogin. Balej IMO has the potential to become quite good, in the 30g 60pts range, but Perezhogin has that star quality. So in terms of potential, I'll have to go with Perezhogin, but of course he's far from safe to reach it, as he's struggled to adapt to the more physical kind of play at the begining, and I really wonder if he'll be able to make the next step (NHL) without gaining a bit of bulk so he doesn't get knocked around all season long.
I know people will say he's got decent size at 6' 185lbs, but from what I saw, I'd say this guy is no more than 5'11" and 175lbs at the very best. He's REALLY small. If he can add 10lbs of muscle (and a bit more balance as a result) during the summer, he'll be a prospect that will sky rocket in our depth chart, and IMO will easily go over the PPG production if he remains in the AHL one more year with his fellow countryman Andrei Kastsitsyn. The only thing right now that could hold him from becoming a 1st liner in the NHL is his strenght. If he works on that, sky's the limit, because he's got everything else (shot, skating, speed, mobility, agility, hockey sense, passing skills, work ethic, etc.)
I think the only thing your missing is the fact that Perezhogin can backcheck and isn't a liability in the defensive zone like Balej is. If I'm not mistaken, he played in the PK unit back in russia, personally i think this kid will get a good look next year, and could be one of our top 6 forwards.
I think the only thing your missing is the fact that Perezhogin can backcheck and isn't a liability in the defensive zone like Balej is. If I'm not mistaken, he played in the PK unit back in russia, personally i think this kid will get a good look next year, and could be one of our top 6 forwards.
Yep, Perezhogin played PK in Russia and I saw him play it in Hamilton too, even in the last minutes of the game when the team was trying to keep the one goal lead. So he must be decent on defense!
i think balej will become like a bulis type player and perzogin will be i dunno but im pretty sure he will be a better player than balej.
Really a bad comparison. There's so many things wrong with that comparison I don't know where to start. About the only thing both players have in common is their speed. That's it.
I agree that Perez exhibits an extraordinary amount of hockey sense to go with his obvious physical skills. Balej is highlight reel material...but this doesn't always translate to an effective NHL player.
Balej--Bulis...nah, not at all. Balej reminds much more of Russ Courtnall who had both speed and a shot but managed to dipsy-doodle his way through a rather ordinary career.
I'd take Perezhogin for his all round game, but Balej really progressed a great deal this year and Im interested to see how he does next year to see if he continues to progress or will he decline some. As it was stated above Perezhogin has the edge in hockey sense which is something not easily learned, imo. But both have the speed, skating, and nasty wrist shots. I'd say Balej is more fiesty and seems to have a ton of confidence this year but his positional hockey isn't that strong. I watched him briefly last night for the rangers but he didn't play much at all and the team is a joke as they seem to play with no system what so ever. (although they did make a nice comeback in the game thanks to Jagr)
I think the Balej-Bure comparison is bang on. He could be a nice little player but I don't see him ever getting more than 30 goals in a season and that's an absolute best case scenario. Something I doubt happens if he plays 5 min a night on the 4th line with the rangers.
I'd take Perezhogin for his all round game, but Balej really progressed a great deal this year and Im interested to see how he does next year to see if he continues to progress or will he decline some. As it was stated above Perezhogin has the edge in hockey sense which is something not easily learned, imo. But both have the speed, skating, and nasty wrist shots. I'd say Balej is more fiesty and seems to have a ton of confidence this year but his positional hockey isn't that strong. I watched him briefly last night for the rangers but he didn't play much at all and the team is a joke as they seem to play with no system what so ever. (although they did make a nice comeback in the game thanks to Jagr)
5'11?, from the reports i have seen he is listed at 6'0-6'1. Im confused?
The problem with balej is that he is a "top 6 or bust" type of player. he is not the kind of player who will be a regular on the 3rd or 4th line if he makes it to the NHL full time. We have a lot of potential top 6 prospects, the difference is that if they don't develop their offense they can be reliable 3rd line players. People like Hossa, Higgins, Plekanec, and Perezhogin are all defensively conscious and could be broken in on the third and fourth lines effectively. i don't think that is the case with balej.
5'11?, from the reports i have seen he is listed at 6'0-6'1. Im confused?
Right! Perezhogin is 6"0 185 lbs and look like that to me! Better hockey sense than Balej, find open ice easier and will become a star in the NHL without any doubt!
I remember someone saying he should have been a top 5 overall in his year draft...
Right! Perezhogin is 6"0 185 lbs and look like that to me! Better hockey sense than Balej, find open ice easier and will become a star in the NHL without any doubt!
I remember someone saying he should have been a top 5 overall in his year draft...
No i think your confusing him (perezhogan) with Kastitsyn. Its Andrei Kastitsyn that should have gone top 5, but didnt because of health issues!
The problem with balej is that he is a "top 6 or bust" type of player. he is not the kind of player who will be a regular on the 3rd or 4th line if he makes it to the NHL full time. We have a lot of potential top 6 prospects, the difference is that if they don't develop their offense they can be reliable 3rd line players. People like Hossa, Higgins, Plekanec, and Perezhogin are all defensively conscious and could be broken in on the third and fourth lines effectively. i don't think that is the case with balej.
I agree with your appreciation. Balej is a kind of Audette. If he ever loses his touch, he will be almost useless...
However, if none of Hossa, Perezhogin, Plekanec and Higgins pan out as top 6 forward and Balej does, we'll miss him badly........but we've got another star or bust prospect in Kastsitsyn.
I think Perezhogin is tremendously talented... I also think the habs brass must have thought Pere will have more impact as an NHL'er than Balej... From what I've seen of Pere that differed from Balej's game is his no fear approach walking through the high traffic areas... I saw Pere walk from the left side corner right to in front of the net, getting players crawling on his back all for a glorious oppurtunity (it WAS stopped, by an amazing save by Valiquette of the Roadrunners)... Balej as many have mentioned had many highlight reel plays, but apparently there was a knock on him that he did not have a pure finishing ability (with all that speed it was really to bad)... Perezhogin does... and to be honest it'll be interesting to see Alexander playing the top gun on the wings in Hamilton, as he is immensely talented (BTW, he is still the youngest guy on the roster)... And with Duncan Milroy up and coming on the Hamilton roster, It was time to make the move... and rather get something for Balej... or play him up... Either way I am happy with the way this turned out... But the big thing about this deal is that we absolutely HAVE to resign Kovalev... He's a perfect addition to this team, and his talent would do a world of good for a couple of our bright prospects/players on our team... Markov apparently hasn't been as happy as he is now since Petrov left (because he has a friend he can relate too again)... And for Kastsitsyn, and Perezhogin... to play with Kovalev I'm sure will/would be the biggest thrill of their young careers...
Balej I hope all the best in New York... I really hope he becomes a fan favourite there... But I wish him a horrible record against the Canadiens
It's funny how everyone says Balej will only be a 30G 60P player in the NHL. That's as good as Ribeiro and Zednik which I say is pretty good! I agree that Perezhogin is the better player, but I was looking forward to see how good Balej would be in the next few years.. Let's hope Kovalev signs with the Habs!!
It's funny how everyone says Balej will only be a 30G 60P player in the NHL. That's as good as Ribeiro and Zednik which I say is pretty good! I agree that Perezhogin is the better player, but I was looking forward to see how good Balej would be in the next few years.. Let's hope Kovalev signs with the Habs!!
Stats ain't everything Alrusky. BTW Ribeiro and Zednik are currently doing it at the NHL level. Balej is not and there's absolutely no guaranty he'll even make it to the NHL.
5'11?, from the reports i have seen he is listed at 6'0-6'1. Im confused?
I've seen Alex up close by with only the glass behind the bench between us and I'll bet money he's not 6'1 and I don't think he's 6'0 but we are talking about 1 inch. Put it this way, Perezhogin is not very big, slightly bigger then Koivu I'd say.
