Quote:
Originally Posted by CaramonLS
Yeah I don't think that would be the case. Can you provide any recent example of when this has happened? Was Crosby taking headshots in the Q?
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Crosby didn't stay in the Q after being drafted. Wouldn't surprise me if he had a concussion or two in junior but I don't have that info. By "headhunting" I meant the opposition would be looking to play that player very physically. Perhaps a poor choice of words.
I just think it obvious that a smallish player like RNH who is the best player in the league would be focused on. Every defensemen is going to take their shots at him and he's going to be playing half the game. Obviously RNH is a slippery guy but all it takes is some meathead WHLer to make a bad decision and the kid could be hurt badly. You don't think every WHL team would be keying their gameplan around stopping RNH after he goes #1 overall in the draft?
On the other hand in the NHL he would be playing far less, wouldn't be keyed on by the opposition. You have the opportunity to shelter him against very physical teams.
I just don't buy the argument that a guy who is obviously NHL calibre should have been in junior that year. I've seen arguments that he needed to bulk up but I think he's as likely to get hurt in the WHL as the NHL for the factors I mentioned above (playing way more ice time, being keyed again) and you really bulk up in the offseason, not during the season.
Anyways that was a digression. Back to drooling over top prospects!