Quote:
Originally Posted by Ziggy Lidstrom
calgARI, I recall our discussion about Krider back in his draft year. As I recall, you coached in his HS league and had watched him personally several times. In fairness, you did mention it in your primary post in this thread. Yet, I would like point out that at that time you didn't see anything that made him NHL caliber either. My point is that not all players follow linear development models. Janko and Krider somewhat mirror each other, but will ultimately be different commodities. Janko is still so young, he's 19 years old. He's two months older than money hands. When he gets to Abbotsford we'll know what we have. Until then just enjoy the ride that is the rollercoaster of prospecting.
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I can't remember what I posted about Kreider but I didn't think he was a first round pick for the same reasons I don't think Jankowski should have been - too hard to project from that level relative to NCAA or CHL. I do recall saying that Kreider had NHL skating ability and an NHL frame. Kreider was highly impactful at the prep level and I wouldn't have been at all surprised to see him make the NHL. Too early to conclude just how impactful he will be in the NHL though.
Not to defend myself or credibility, but I regularly saw Chris Higgins and Max Pacioretty in prep (and college) and raved about both on this board as sure-fire NHLers. I'm not a scout or anything but then again, they hit and miss their projections all the time. Bottom line is, and there is no surprise with this, but projecting is hard with any 18 or 19 year old. It is even harder when it is an 18 year old coming from an especially low level of competition. Doesn't mean someone can't develop late (see Penner) or out of lower leagues, but the sampling under those circumstances is even more inprecise than out of the CHL or NCAA.