Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community - View Single Post - [News] With the 54th overall pick the Flames select RW Hunter Smith

getbak · 06-29-2014, 05:16 PM

If "above 6'5"" means 6'6" or greater, there were 6 forwards in the NHL last year who are at least 6'6" who played at least 55 games, so it's a very small sample size to start with. 333 total forwards played a minimum of 55 games, so the super-tall forwards are less than 2% of the total.

Even then, 3 of those 6 scored at least 10 goals, 2 of whom were playing their first full NHL seasons. Scott and Bordeleau are the only ones of the six who didn't average at least 10 minutes a game.

The other 4:

Boyle has scored 20 in the past.

Hanzal scored 15 goals in 65 games. He also had 11 in 39 the year before, which is a 20+ goal pace over a full season (this was the second time he has scored at a 20+ goal pace in less than a full season).

Jimmy Hayes had 11 in 53 games in his first full season.

Bjugstad had 16 in 76 games in his rookie season.

It's not unreasonable to think that Hanzal or Bjugstad could hit 20 goals in the future (even Hayes could if he develops well).

There's certainly no reason to suggest that a player is too tall to be a first or second line player.

Will Smith be the next Lucic? Almost certainly not. Does that mean his ceiling is as a fourth line plug? Definitely not.

06-29-2014, 05:16 PM	#166
getbak Franchise Player Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Calgary, AB Exp:	If "above 6'5"" means 6'6" or greater, there were 6 forwards in the NHL last year who are at least 6'6" who played at least 55 games, so it's a very small sample size to start with. 333 total forwards played a minimum of 55 games, so the super-tall forwards are less than 2% of the total. Even then, 3 of those 6 scored at least 10 goals, 2 of whom were playing their first full NHL seasons. Scott and Bordeleau are the only ones of the six who didn't average at least 10 minutes a game. The other 4: Boyle has scored 20 in the past. Hanzal scored 15 goals in 65 games. He also had 11 in 39 the year before, which is a 20+ goal pace over a full season (this was the second time he has scored at a 20+ goal pace in less than a full season). Jimmy Hayes had 11 in 53 games in his first full season. Bjugstad had 16 in 76 games in his rookie season. It's not unreasonable to think that Hanzal or Bjugstad could hit 20 goals in the future (even Hayes could if he develops well). There's certainly no reason to suggest that a player is too tall to be a first or second line player. Will Smith be the next Lucic? Almost certainly not. Does that mean his ceiling is as a fourth line plug? Definitely not. __________________ Turn up the good, turn down the suck!