I live in Victoria and see a lot of live Royals games. Kanzig is one player I have been watching very closely over the last couple years. He is mean. He plays with the edge. After a whistle blows to stop a play, if the puck is near his goalie, you dont want to be. If his team mate is getting targeted, he wont go and take a stupid penalty from being a 3rd man, he waits for a chance to make you pay for it during a play. And he makes them pay.
His skating is not as bad as some are making it out to be. Its not like he gets blown by. He knows how to play positionally to not get beat by the speedsters.
Does he have room for improvement, absolutely. But has he maxed out on his development? No way! Kanzig has a very high ceiling and I truly believe he has the smarts, size and athleticism to make it happen.
Kanzig is a leader. If he makes the NHL, the sky is the limit for this kid. At minimum I see this guy being a bottom 6 guy who can play bottom 4.
He will need time in the AHL tho to get used to hitting men and establish himself as a beast to be aware of.
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Originally Posted by Caged Great
I hate drafting thugs. Waste of a pick.
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You have clearly never seen this guy play and have no clue about him what so ever.
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Originally Posted by Husky
Waste of a pick. A big waste.
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Absolutely not. I know many Nucks fans who follow CHL/WHL very closely who really wanted this guy. I have been looking forward to seeing who drafts him for months. I cannot believe the Flames were lucky enough to pick him.
There were always scouts at the Royals games watching him very closely and always a buzz in the lounge about him when scouts were getting a pint.
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Originally Posted by doctajones428
"He won't make it"
Have any of you besides one poster actually watched this guy?
We picked up three guys in the first, we can gamble on a massive, mean player to defend our youngins with a 3rd
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I truly believe Kanzig makes the NHL. He is going to be integral in protecting our goalies of the future.
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Originally Posted by evman150
Okay, a lot of drama here.
I've seen Keegan play probably 30 times the last two years combined.
First year, young big kid, pretty garbage, but you could tell the potential was there. This year, WAY better, made a decent first pass, and made the right plays more often than not. Earlier in the year I thought he'd go 60-90.
Kanzig is not defined by his toughness - he is NOT a goon. He is a hockey player first and foremost. He has a reputation as a tough guy because of how he destroys guys, but that is not his main game. He is a shutdown guy, with OK puck skills, and great leadership abilities.
I hated having him on the ice in year one, but by the next year I found myself hoping he was on the ice in tight situations.
Full disclosure: One of my best friends works with Keegan at Bear Mountain. Plus I love the guy and wish the best for him.
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This review is very accurate. He has the potential to learn how to get his shot off, but that is not the priority with this guy. He is a shutdown D man who mean and makes opposing guys think twice about driving hard to the net.
Ive seen both Albethieser (sp?) out of Halifax this year a couple times, and seen Kanzig a lot. I would rather have Kanzig in all honesty.