my biggest concern with sven, is i'm not clear, based on watching him play the handful of games with the big club (mind you), what exact attributes make him capable of being an offensively dynamic player.
- speed: doesn't seem to have elite quickness, first step ,etc
- size/strength: was always considered a guy who would have to get stronger due to his lack of size and strength. however, i don't think his offensive game came from being a physical player
- dangles: i don't recall any real open ice moves or him taking on anyone 1 on1 and succeed at all
- vision: i found that last year, even when doing well, there was a lot of "blindly center the puck hoping it gets there" type plays, rather than creative playmaking
- IQ: maybe, but if this were the case, we'd see him getting more opportunities based on being at the right place at the right time.
granted, this year, he hasn't been provided much time to showcase himself in any of the above ways.
There's somethign to be said about a player having the confidence in his game to do well, as well as the coaches showing the player their trust, and letting him go out, get playing time with the growing pains that may come with that (ie. mistakes). However, at some point i think it's fair to look at the kid and say you've had your opportunities in the past, the team is opening up windows of opportunities (may be somewhat limited until he earns it) and it's on him to use whatever exposure he gets to go out and prove himself.
i'm all for being patient and all, but at somepoint soon, he's just going to have to do something to prove he belongs, otherwise, not sure there's a place for him in the organization.
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