Quote:
Originally Posted by Parallex
I don't think you understand my concerns, my concerns aren't that he won't provide offense... to be honest I expect very little should he make it. And I would be happy if he could be a defensive stalwart shuttin' down other teams top guys.
My concern is that even guys like Regehr and Sarich (which is basically what you realistically hope Sieloff becomes nah?), had enough all around skill to put up decent (if not overwhelming) point totals in the CHL. They had the hockey IQ and could Skate, Shoot, Pass, Stickhandle well enough to do it... if Sieloff can't do those things (which are pretty much basic hockey skills regardless of whether your playing forward or D) well enough to produce decently at the CHL level then I have to question whether he has the "tools" to be a player of NHL calibre even just as a defensive stalwart. Defensive Stalwarts still need to have NHL calibre basic skills.
I mean, if his tools are near NHL calibre why doesn't Sieloff produce any offensive numbers of note against players in a league that is essentually two tiers below? Legit question, I want to know.
My concern isn't that he won't be good offensively it's that he won't be good defensively and that the Flames staff may be blinded by his propensity to hit people and are overlooking what may be flaws.
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I get the point you are trying to make.
But when I read the bolded, I get the impression that you are drawing conclusions from the stats, as opposed to looking at the facts.
Sieloff, by pretty much all accounts, is an excellent skater - probably better than both Regehr and Sarich at the same age.
He is also a good passer (or at least not bad). His shot needs work. And his stickhandling also needs work, but has improved considerably since last year, as per his US national team coach.
There is no question that Sieloff's game needs work before he is ready for the NHL. But to say he is weak in all those areas, simply because of his point totals from a very small sample size, would be inaccurate at best