I agree, Pitlick IMO is going to surprise a lot of people.
I sure hope so. Part of me wants him to make the jump and prove he can play in the AHL next year, but the other half wants me to see him go and dominate the WHL like I know he can and put up a 90 point season down there.
I sure hope so. Part of me wants him to make the jump and prove he can play in the AHL next year, but the other half wants me to see him go and dominate the WHL like I know he can and put up a 90 point season down there.
IMO he should for sure go to the AHL unless Medicine Hat will play him down the middle. Regardless if he looks ready for the pro's out of camp (he needs 3-4 preseason games this year) then make it happen, if not send him down. IMO he will prove to be ready for the AHL this year.
IMO he should for sure go to the AHL unless Medicine Hat will play him down the middle. Regardless if he looks ready for the pro's out of camp (he needs 3-4 preseason games this year) then make it happen, if not send him down. IMO he will prove to be ready for the AHL this year.
If they see him as having top 6 potential, he should stay in the junior for one more year where he will get better offensive minutes than in the AHL. The OIlers are in no rush. May as well take time with Pitlick, Hamilton, and Marincin.
I think it would not be a bad idea if Hartikainen plays one more season in the AHL either.
Hamilton is being underrated here too if they think Pitlick is being underrated. Hammy is a big guy, not to mention he made the Canadian WJC and played top line with Schenn later on the tourny.
Where was Pitlick during the WJC? Not there that's for sure.
If they see him as having top 6 potential, he should stay in the junior for one more year where he will get better offensive minutes than in the AHL. The OIlers are in no rush. May as well take time with Pitlick, Hamilton, and Marincin.
I think it would not be a bad idea if Hartikainen plays one more season in the AHL either.
IMO just because they turn pro next year it doesn't mean that we rush them. They'd still have 3 years before being waiver eligible. Maybe in the case of Marincin it'd be wiser to leave him in the dub since D generally tale a little longer to develop.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kayen
Hamilton is being underrated here too if they think Pitlick is being underrated. Hammy is a big guy, not to mention he made the Canadian WJC and played top line with Schenn later on the tourny.
Where was Pitlick during the WJC? Not there that's for sure.
Where was RNH? I guess we should've taken Couturier based on your line of thinking? Nothing against Hamilton, but that's not exactly a fair assessment of the long term potential of both players.
IMO just because they turn pro next year it doesn't mean that we rush them. They'd still have 3 years before being waiver eligible. Maybe in the case of Marincin it'd be wiser to leave him in the dub since D generally tale a little longer to develop.
Would not it mean one less year on ELC if he goes to the AHL next year? My understanding is if someone like Pitlick turns pro in 2011, he will be a RFA in 2014. 2015--if he stays in the WHL. Am I wrong?
Would not it mean one less year on ELC if he goes to the AHL next year? My understanding is if someone like Pitlick turns pro in 2011, he will be a RFA in 2014. 2015--if he stays in the WHL. Am I wrong?
It does mean that his ELC is held off for another year, however I HIGHLY doubt that Pitlick and Hamilton will need 3 seasons to make the big clubs roster out of camp.
It does mean that his ELC is held off for another year, however I HIGHLY doubt that Pitlick and Hamilton will need 3 seasons to make the big clubs roster out of camp.
I think if they are ready, they are ready. But since the Oilers are not going anywhere this year, I believe they will keep most of last year's draftees in the junior for one more year. Guys like Vande Velde, Hartikainen, Lander, O'Marra, Kytnar, Chorney, Teubert, Plante will be the priority this year.
Some of them, I expect, will be gone next season (probably all of Chorney, Plante and O'Marra), while some (Hartikainen, Lander, Teubert) should make a push for the big club. This is when I see guys like Hamilton, Pitlick, Marincin, possibly Davidson and Ewanyk making a jump to the AHL.
I think if they are ready, they are ready. But since the Oilers are not going anywhere this year, I believe they will keep most of last year's draftees in the junior for one more year. Guys like Vande Velde, Hartikainen, Lander, O'Marra, Kytnar, Chorney, Teubert, Plante will be the priority this year.
Some of them, I expect, will be gone next season (probably all of Chorney, Plante and O'Marra), while some (Hartikainen, Lander, Teubert) should make a push for the big club. This is when I see guys like Hamilton, Pitlick, Marincin, possibly Davidson and Ewanyk making a jump to the AHL.
Possible, however a guy like Hamilton has already accomplished a lot in juniors and in his case would there be any benefit from him returning to juniors? I could see the benefits for Pitlick (playing C at a lesser level), and Marincin (adding mass/defensemen take longer to develop). But what's the benefit for Hamilton?
It's a real toss-up between Hartikainen and Hamilton. Hamilton has a pretty big edge on Teemu in terms of skating and I like his upside a little more because of it. With that said, Hartikainen doesn't have as far to go and is less of a risk that way.
But I went with Hamilton on account of the skating.
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It's a real toss-up between Hartikainen and Hamilton. Hamilton has a pretty big edge on Teemu in terms of skating and I like his upside a little more because of it. With that said, Hartikainen doesn't have as far to go and is less of a risk that way.
But I went with Hamilton on account of the skating.
Hartikainen really improved his skating last year and I dont think Hamilton's was that good to begin with.
I doubt his skating is better than Harikainen's at all truth be told. Could be the other way round in fact.
Hartikainen improved his skating from when I saw him at the WJCs, but it's still well below average, which I thought was pretty clear last year.
Hamilton's skating has always looked pretty good to me (he's not Hall or Paajarvi, but I wouldn't even call it below average, nevermind poor), and I stronly disagree that Hartikainen's is even close, let alone better.
But like I said, they're neck and neck in my eyes. I put Hamilton ahead by the slightest of margins.
I could see both playing a complimentary role on an NHL 2nd line some day, but if neither makes it, I can see Hamilton having success as a checker, which I don't see in Hartikainen.
If they see him as having top 6 potential, he should stay in the junior for one more year where he will get better offensive minutes than in the AHL. The OIlers are in no rush. May as well take time with Pitlick, Hamilton, and Marincin.
I think it would not be a bad idea if Hartikainen plays one more season in the AHL either.
A 20 year old in the WHL?
Then you can't tell me he is a very good prospect.
Also I don't know if it is a good sign when our 2nd best prospect here shall be a (later this year) 24 year old D who doesn't made it completely to the NHL by now.
Hartikainen improved his skating from when I saw him at the WJCs, but it's still well below average, which I thought was pretty clear last year.
Hamilton's skating has always looked pretty good to me (he's not Hall or Paajarvi, but I wouldn't even call it below average, nevermind poor), and I stronly disagree that Hartikainen's is even close, let alone better.
But like I said, they're neck and neck in my eyes. I put Hamilton ahead by the slightest of margins.
I could see both playing a complimentary role on an NHL 2nd line some day, but if neither makes it, I can see Hamilton having success as a checker, which I don't see in Hartikainen.
I think you are way off on your assessment of Hartikainen. His skating used to be a weakness. It clearly isnt anymore. He kept up just fine in the few games he got in the nhl last year. Didnt look slow or out of place at all. Hamilton isnt known for his skating, I dont think he is bad or good, just average as far as his skating goes.
Why couldnt Hartikainen play a checking role? If you think it is because he is slow, he isnt anymore, so you cant use that as an excuse anymore imo. He has always been pretty smart, determined and never afraid to mix it up or get his nose dirty. He is going to be a very good player for us for the next number of years.
We were obviously watching two different players on the ice, because Hartikainen's skating was still quite poor in his NHL stint. It may have been better, but better doesn't necessarily mean good.
And yes, it is his skating that's the main reason I think he would struggle in a defensive role.
We were obviously watching two different players on the ice, because Hartikainen's skating was still quite poor in his NHL stint. It may have been better, but better doesn't necessarily mean good.
And yes, it is his skating that's the main reason I think he would struggle in a defensive role.
I remember more than a few people, including myself commenting on how much his skating had improved over the last year that we had seen him at the WJC. It was vastly improved. Not just a little bit. I doubt we would have been mentioning it if he his skating was still poor. I remember him having more than one breakaway as well as being dangerous often. How does that happen if he cant skate? We will all see soon enough as he will be on the roster at some point this year.
I remember more than a few people, including myself commenting on how much his skating had improved over the last year that we had seen him at the WJC. It was vastly improved. Not just a little bit. I doubt we would have been mentioning it if he his skating was still poor. We will all see soon enough as he will be on the roster at some point this year.
I think we will see in training camp or even the rookie camp how much better it is. I think it's gonna be a hard decision for the Oilers to keep him off the roster to start the year, but I guess that's a good problem to have.
