Scouts, GMs etc, disagree with you. Believe me the WJC is the highlight of every scout. There's a lot to be learned from..Can they elevate their game? Will weaknesses be exposed? How will they handle pressure? On-ice performances, and so on. Typical scouting stuff.
Just based entirely on the WJC, some could suggest Hickey would struggle being a #1 Dman in the NHL. He would be better off playing second fiddle or on the 2nd pairing(for a top 5 pick he should be on the 1st with Doughty in the future).
say what you want, but when I saw those games being played, it wasn't remotely close to NHL hockey
Hickey is going to be a gritter Rafalski type defenseman. I've been watching him since day one in Seattle and he the definition of a hockey prodigy. He's got leadership, he's one of the best skaters I've seen in the NHL, he can dominate all three zones, and he can throw fists. Hickey is going to be a top offensive defenseman in this league but you have to give him a little time to mature into that role. However, I guarantee this kid will become at least a 40 point defenseman with a + rating every year in this league.
Yah, I've been watching him closely since he came into the league too, and agree with all of this (except that, to me, he screams Niedermayer stylistically). I said it on draft day, and stick to it now ... it was a great pick used on a great player.
say what you want, but when I saw those games being played, it wasn't remotely close to NHL hockey
You're stretching with that statement. Was it a little sloppy? Sure. Was there more open ice? Yes. Keep in mind this is a game being played by teenagers, it's junior hockey.
You're stretching with that statement. Was it a little sloppy? Sure. Was there more open ice? Yes. Keep in mind this is a game being played by teenagers, it's junior hockey.
I watched those games and the big thing about the WJCs as opposed to NHL hockey is the lack of nasty, hard hitting, physical hockey. A monstrous hit in the NHL is a penalty in the WJCs, if not a suspension. The games also lack the rough stuff around the net as international refs tend to call things with much greater frequency than NHL referees. That's one of the reasons Canada always has to have a great PK at the WJCs, they play like Canadians and end up in the box all the time. It's also the reason why Teubert couldn't play his game. He couldn't play borderline dirty because stepping over would have been too risky. He was one player who looked like he had serious constraints throughout the tournament and I didn't think it was the kind of environment where he could shine, that may have also contributed to Hickey's lesser play.
All that being said, I'm with Doughty 8 on this one, the WJCs are a fundamentally different game than the NHL. But they will show you how well a player can elevate his game and play a specific role in a high pressure situation. And with that in mind, I don't give Hickey any more than a B for this past year's WJC. It seems that he learned from it though, and we may be better off in the long run for it.
I watched those games and the big thing about the WJCs as opposed to NHL hockey is the lack of nasty, hard hitting, physical hockey. A monstrous hit in the NHL is a penalty in the WJCs, if not a suspension. The games also lack the rough stuff around the net as international refs tend to call things with much greater frequency than NHL referees. That's one of the reasons Canada always has to have a great PK at the WJCs, they play like Canadians and end up in the box all the time. It's also the reason why Teubert couldn't play his game. He couldn't play borderline dirty because stepping over would have been too risky. He was one player who looked like he had serious constraints throughout the tournament and I didn't think it was the kind of environment where he could shine, that may have also contributed to Hickey's lesser play.
All that being said, I'm with Doughty 8 on this one, the WJCs are a fundamentally different game than the NHL. But they will show you how well a player can elevate his game and play a specific role in a high pressure situation. And with that in mind, I don't give Hickey any more than a B for this past year's WJC. It seems that he learned from it though, and we may be better off in the long run for it.
Yeah international is a bit different with the way rules are enforced. The hard gritty style is pretty much non existent in international tournaments anyway since it's mostly made up of those skill players. As for Teubert, I've watched him for the past few years. He had a great season and an exceptional under-18 tournament last year, but this season he kind of regressed/flat-lined. Your 2nd paragraph is dead on. It's not just about the actual game, it's the intangibles too.
If the junior tournament is a foreshadow of how well someone will play in the NHL, Tavares will beat Gretzky's scoring record, Voynov will be the second coming of Doughty, Hickey will peak at a Tom Preissing level, and the only people Tuebert will punish are Kings fans that pay to watch him.
If the junior tournament is a foreshadow of how well someone will play in the NHL, Tavares will beat Gretzky's scoring record, Voynov will be the second coming of Doughty, Hickey will peak at a Tom Preissing level, and the only people Tuebert will punish are Kings fans that pay to watch him.
Tavares will be a great sniper, Voynov looks to be a future top 4 defenceman, Hickey is hard to figure out, Teubert will be eating more popcorn.
It is a double edged sword....If Hickey were the MVP of the WJC's some people would say that would be indicative of a successful NHL career.....but since he did not have a good WJC it is overrated and meaningless.
It reminds me of the +/- stat debate......if your favorite player is a +35 it is because he is great defensively....if he is a -35 then it is because....well the +/- stat is overrated and meaningless.
If the junior tournament is a foreshadow of how well someone will play in the NHL, Tavares will beat Gretzky's scoring record, Voynov will be the second coming of Doughty, Hickey will peak at a Tom Preissing level, and the only people Tuebert will punish are Kings fans that pay to watch him.
And Lauri Tukonen is going to be a dynamite top-sixer for us.
If the junior tournament is a foreshadow of how well someone will play in the NHL, Tavares will beat Gretzky's scoring record, Voynov will be the second coming of Doughty, Hickey will peak at a Tom Preissing level, and the only people Tuebert will punish are Kings fans that pay to watch him.
... and Jamie Storr will be the answer to all of the Kings' goaltending problems.
Yeah and wasnt Stamkos playing on the 4th checking line..........he sure wasnt playing on the 1st line, but got picked #1 overall anyway didnt he......
' Kneel Before Zod ' Bring forth the sacrifices I have guests to entertain...
As far as the Hickey debate goes, I think he will be a very good defenseman at the NHL level... As to when he will be ready, this is still up for debate. But I like his work ethic an his intelligence I believe he knows what he needs to do. Get as strong as he can bulk up and yet still keep his quickness and skating at peak. I think he will be much better than a Tom Preissing. Will he be elite not so sure as many have said here but he will be effective.
Was he my choice in 2007? Nope, I had not even heard of him! I was in shock and ticked off at the time. I wanted Cherry then A. Esposito then Vorachek. But now I am very happy with the pick. I like Hickey alot and his skillls could play a major role on our team if his potential is met! IF... so Thomas keep up the hard work, keep improving and we will see you in #4 soon enough!
I've seen Hickey play quite a bit in Juniors. I think he might be able to develop into a Brian Campbell type player. Hickey doesn't have an overwhelming slap shot, and he doesn't look all that fast out there, but when he has the puck there's a sense of calmness and guys back off him. I personally think his goal totals in the NHL will end up being underwhelming (sort of like Campbell in a sense), but Hickey will be very effective at moving the puck.
I've seen Hickey play quite a bit in Juniors. I think he might be able to develop into a Brian Campbell type player. Hickey doesn't have an overwhelming slap shot, and he doesn't look all that fast out there, but when he has the puck there's a sense of calmness and guys back off him. I personally think his point totals in the NHL will end up being underwhelming (sort of like Campbell in a sense), but Hickey will be very effective at moving the puck.
Actually Campbells point totals are good. Hes put up 50+ pts the last 2 season. And 40+ the 2 years before that. If Hickey puts up 40+ consistently hes doing good.
Actually Campbells point totals are good. Hes put up 50+ pts the last 2 season. And 40+ the 2 years before that. If Hickey puts up 40+ consistently hes doing good.
I actually meant to say "goal" totals rather than "point" totals (I have edited my prior post) Campbell is not much of a goal scorer for someone who is considered one of the best offensive Dmen in the league. I think that Hickey won't be much of a goal scorer either. My gut feeling is that Hickey will develop into an effective puckmoving Dman but he'll probably be underappreciated because I don't think he'll produce steller offensive numbers and he's not a flashy puck rushing Dman.
I actually meant to say "goal" totals rather than "point" totals (I have edited my prior post) Campbell is not much of a goal scorer for someone who is considered one of the best offensive Dmen in the league. I think that Hickey won't be much of a goal scorer either. My gut feeling is that Hickey will develop into an effective puckmoving Dman but he'll probably be underappreciated because I don't think he'll produce steller offensive numbers and he's not a flashy puck rushing Dman.
I can live with that. As long as somebody with a Kings crest on the front of their sweater is scoring goals I don't care about the name on the back.
I think this coming season Hickey has a decent shot at being on the roster opening night, but I kind of consider him a lock for the start of the 2010 season.
Though I agree with your overall point that Hickey is not going to make or break this team's chances one way or another.
Really? That's not saying much for a #4 overall is it? (shouldn't a #4 BE an impact player on his team?)
