Quote:
Originally Posted by Erick Estrada
Neidermayer was a 2nd/3rd line center that played well at both ends of the ice and could chip in with 15-20 goals. You think Horvat hasn't been scouted to be that same type of player? Please explain why it's terrible outside of just trying to trash me.
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I think Horvat has much better hockey sense and a much higher compete level than Niedermayer. Horvat looks like fairly surefire 2nd line LW/C to me based on his all around game. He has decent size, is already somewhat filled out, good skill level, high hockey sense, good two-way game.
http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/p...y.php?pid=3964
Those are Niedermayer's career stats.
I consider comparisons to Niedermayer to be somwhat insulting to most prospects unless that prospect is projected as a clear 3rd liner. Niedermayer scored more than 15 goals only twice in his career. So saying he was a 15-20 goal scorer is sugar coating it, he really averaged more in the 10-15 goal range. Niedermayer was a smooth skating, big guy who lacked top end skill and had issues applying himself to compete every night. He was good at cycling the puck and actually was a solid 3rd liner in the end paired up with Jason Wiemer.
I just think Horvat has a much higher upside than Niedermayer. I think Horvat could use a bit of work on his first couple steps but other than that I was really impressed by him at the Memorial Cup. I see him as a two-way scoring 2nd line C/LW on most teams when he's fully developed but the kind of guy who might be able to play top line on poor teams.