Quote:
Originally Posted by Fire of the Phoenix
I assume this is a passive aggressive shot at what I said. I should clarify (using the exact words I used initially): "Only Granlund is closer to the NHL but I believe Klimchuk has a much better chance of having a 500+ game career than Granlund."
I wasn't 'calculating' anything. Based on what I've seen with both players, I truly believe this. Granlund is too small (with Gaudreau and Hudler already there) and not skilled enough to be in the top 6. He's too small and not good enough defensively(yet) to be in the bottom 6. Things can change obviously, I'm just not betting on it from what I've seen.
One of Klimchuk's strengths has always been his two way play and defensive acumen. This has been well documented and will serve him well. Granlund has never been talked about his 2 way play being a major strength. In fact, from what I've seen, he's just ok/average defensively. The only reason I even have Granlund in the conversation is because he's proven he can get points in the AHL and he got hot for one month in the NHL (though did literally less than nothing the rest of the time).
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I know that the height and weight listings for the NHL are not always accurate but Granlund is listed 6-0 180.... Klimchuk 6-0 185.
Somehow in the nothing given , everything earned team of 2014-15 Granlund had 15 games where he had 15+ minutes and 6 games that he had less than 10 out of his 48
He did tail off as Backlund came off IR and for a 21 yr rookie behind Monahan, Backlund and Stajan I don't see this as a bad or unexpected thing.
I would have totally agreed with you that he played too soft of a game based on his 2013-14 call up.... but someone coached him into making just under a hit a game last year. same hit rate as Backlund has since he started playing well a year and half ago. Granlund is a lot more physical and stronger on the puck than Backlund was when he was 22-23 years old.
It is just far too early to talk about Klimchuk playing 500 games.
Max Reinhart was a spectacular two-way player as an 18 year old shutting down Brayden Schenn for a playoff series.