Quote:
Originally Posted by ricardodw
Nice post ....
but on Bennett..... he at 6' 178 is not at all undersized as a junior. He is able to play a physical game and get away with it, just because he has critical mass. There a majority of the players in the CHL that are not strong...and smaller than Bennett...... they don't get to ever play in the NHL.
I have a worry that if Bennett does not have significant innate (genetic?) strength his game will not translate to the NHL level where he will be average or slightly below average in size.
Andrew Shaw 5'10" 180 is able to play a very physical and effective game at the NHL level.
I would venture to guess that Andrew Shaw would be able to do a few more than pull ups and bench presses.
Gaudreau has been small all his hockey career. He has adapted his game to his limitations.
He will not be successful in crashing the crease.... but he will get into the scoring area by shifty moves and puck handling and skating... The opposition will not get to make clean contact with him to establish their physical dominance. They will be backing off him so he doesn't deke his way around them.
Gaudreau adding 10-15 pounds will not make him any better in the same way as Gretzky would not have been better if he added 15 pounds of muscle.
Will Bennett be able to adapt his game when he is going up against NHL defensemen who are all going to be significantly stronger than him?
If if maintains an aggressive attitude (that is his positive differentiation
over Sam Rienhart) with his current tool set how does he avoid becoming a Burrows (hit and run/turtle)?
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I think you missed the intent of my post.
Height and weight says Bennett is not undersized. His muscle mass and strength are. To me, this is a good thing in seeing his compete level and tenacity compliment his skill-level, and you can expect him to get better as he fills his frame more. That was the point.
Not familiar with Shaw - and again, I think you missed the point. I have NO IDEA if Shaw had an immature build, or was already above average in his build. You told me nothing supports or disproves my post or the intended post. I never stated that undersized players can't play (and be successful even) in the NHL. I even made mention that I think Gaudreau will be very successful.
As for the Gretzky comment - how do you know he would have been even better as a bigger player? Maybe he had the exact perfect build for the type of game he played, and the minutes he played. More muscle mass may make you more 'explosive' and stronger, but it detracts from your endurance and often from your speed.
My whole point was that some prospects while over-developed as compared to their peers often can't translate as well as players who are under-developed but have the room to grow. I don't think I made a single point about small players vs big players in the NHL.