He has a weak shot for a big man. No one will go wow with his slapshot.
His wrister is not weak at all. I would say its outstanding. He snapped a shot recently from his backhand that looked like it was harder than most of our forwards forehands.
Yeah but Gordie Clarke is a pro and knows what he's talking about and we don't
(though to be honest I think some of these expectations for Anisimov are a little absurd)
I think some people are confusing expectations and upside unfortunately.
For me, my opinion of his upside has risen. Before, I thought his absolute upside was 60 Point 2 - way center. Now I think its not unreasonable to see him reach that. For upside, I see him (now) as a Datsyuk - lite, with his absolute upside being 80 point (30-50) 2 - way selke candidate.
He is a fun player to watch. He is only 22 years old, I look forward to seeing what he can do.
I think for a Sophomore year, jumping from 12-16-28 to 20-30-50 would be a pretty great improvement. He is having the year so far that I hoped he might, but he has to not slow down when the other centers come back.
2nd Line Center, 60 points (25G, 35A) and I'll be happy.
2nd line center with ~1st line production.
Only about 30 players scored 70+ points last year. About one per team. Only 55 players (less than 25 being centers) scored 60+ points last year. Less than 2 players per team. 60 points is 1st line production. That would be huge.
He probably tops out at 25 goals. His playmaking game is getting better and better. 45-50 assists is probably the max there. I think he will be somewhere between 60-75 points in his best years.
Only about 30 players scored 70+ points last year. About one per team. Only 55 players (less than 25 being centers) scored 60+ points last year. Less than 2 players per team. 60 points is 1st line production. That would be huge.
Well, in reality the distinction between 1st and 2nd line is more so a product of line combinations and chemistry than it is point totals (or projected point totals)... Anisimov could very well be playing on our 2nd line with that kind of production depending on the chemistry he has with his linemates a how the line combos/chemistry develops through the rest of our roster... Not sure I envision Gaborik and AA playing together in the future because I think he seems to thrive playing with aggressive/hard-forechecking wingers who will step right when things get chippy. If that's really the case, if we can find a productive Center for Gaborik sometime in the future, we could have a very nice two lines that produce....
Hate to be the wet blanket, but I'm going to reserve judgment until he plays at least 50 games this year. He looks fantastic so far, but it really comes down to whether or not he can keep it up.
Very similar to Stepan, IMHO. Both have the upside to be a 1B center in this league. Neither will ever be a true #1, but I can see both putting up 70 points.
__________________
"Of course giving Sather cap space is like giving teenagers whiskey and car keys." - SBOB "Watching Sather build a team is like watching a blind man with no fingers trying to put together an elaborate puzzle." - Shadowtron
Sestito still on the make a wish tour. - rholt168
Very similar to Stepan, IMHO. Both have the upside to be a 1B center in this league. Neither will ever be a true #1, but I can see both putting up 70 points.
Can someone explain to me how a 70 point center with at least above average defensive awareness and skills can be a 1b center?
I don't mean to single you out Jon. I have been seeing this for years on this board and I never understand it. Unlike some posters I know you will come back with an educated response, hence why I asked you.
I have liked what i have seen this year. He looks to have filled out a little and got stronger on the puck. The extra off season work seemed to pay off.
As for potential I Think he is no doubt a 2c but I'm not ruling him out to be a legitimate 1st line center he has great hands and if he keeps is head up great instincts
Can someone explain to me how a 70 point center with at least above average defensive awareness and skills can be a 1b center?
I don't mean to single you out Jon. I have been seeing this for years on this board and I never understand it. Unlike some posters I know you will come back with an educated response, hence why I asked you.
It's all subjective, really. I consider a true #1 center to be fairly elite when it comes to offensive talent. Like a true #1 d-man, I don't think there are many out there.
They really need to be able to carry a team and a line whenever on the ice. I don't think either Anisimov or Stepan can truly do that at the NHL level. I don't think either of them are truly good enough to be able to truly carry other players around them over the course of a full season. They need others around them.
Crosby, Malkin, Backstrom, etc. can create offense without having to have players around them. I think we'll find that both Stepan and Anisimov need guys around them of higher skill than the aforementioned players in order to be truly utilized well.
It's all subjective, really. I consider a true #1 center to be fairly elite when it comes to offensive talent. Like a true #1 d-man, I don't think there are many out there.
They really need to be able to carry a team and a line whenever on the ice. I don't think either Anisimov or Stepan can truly do that at the NHL level. I don't think either of them are truly good enough to be able to truly carry other players around them over the course of a full season. They need others around them.
Crosby, Malkin, Backstrom, etc. can create offense without having to have players around them. I think we'll find that both Stepan and Anisimov need guys around them of higher skill than the aforementioned players in order to be truly utilized well.
Alright. I can understand what you are saying. So by that thinking there are only about 15 or so true #1 centers, if that, in the NHL.
Yep. A lot of tweener 1/2 type guys, though. That's not a bad thing. I'd be ecstatic if both Ani and Stepan turn out to be 1/2 type centers.
I agree. I wouldnt think they would be top-end 1st line centers. I think they both can develop into first line centers though. I see a more lanky Koivu for Anisimov and really think Stepan will be a Brad Richards type of talent(70 points + leadership and great defensive abilities).
Very similar to Stepan, IMHO. Both have the upside to be a 1B center in this league. Neither will ever be a true #1, but I can see both putting up 70 points.
Kind of silly to say a number 1 center has to be elite. Someone putting up 70 points or so is a number one center on every team in the league that doesn't have Crosby, Thornton, Sedin, Backstrom, or one of the other 2 or 3 that broke 80 points last season.
Kind of silly to say a number 1 center has to be elite. Someone putting up 70 points or so is a number one center on every team in the league that doesn't have Crosby, Thornton, Sedin, Backstrom, or one of the other 2 or 3 that broke 80 points last season.
How so? A true #1 player at any position should be fairly elite, I'd think. Just because a guy is the #1 center or #1 D on his team does not mean he'd be one on every team.
How so? A true #1 player at any position should be fairly elite, I'd think. Just because a guy is the #1 center or #1 D on his team does not mean he'd be one on every team.
Because someone who is considered "elite" at anything is above and beyond what is considered to be very good? I don't think there are more than 10 elite players at any given position in the game (if that many).
It's kind of pointless to even post something like "hey we need a number 1 center" if all you mean is basically an elite player. You're not getting one of those unless they're getting on in years or draft very lucky.
If we can get somewhere between 130-140 combined points from Anisimov and Stepan, I think our problems at center will be effectively solved. I looked up every team to go over 120 pts between their top two centers and if both our guys reach their full potential, we'll be top ten in the league easy. It's also important to note how both our guys are great defensively, that will be a big advantage outside of points.
Out of these 13 teams, 9 made the playoffs. The only team to make the Conference semis without being on this list was Boston, who is fine up the middle. Of course, you need more than to just be strong up the middle to do well. Tampa is always a good example for this. However, we do have Henke and a defense that is emerging at a similar pace.
I guess my main point is that it's an exciting time to watch players develop in front of our eyes and it looks like, if things go smoothly, it looks like we can contend within the next couple of years. Especially if we use Drury and Rozi's money to sign a first pair D-Man and a good winger. (Suter and one of Perron/Penner/Umberger?)
