Quote:
Originally Posted by polak
Curious, people always warn people about "writing off prospects early" but honestly, how often does a grade A, blue chip prospect like Drouin stumble hard out of the gate and then end up living up to their draft day potential?
Seems like prospects that live up to their hype:
- Explode right off the bat and are immediately a force
- Start off well and take big steps in their first couple years
Do you often see players stumbling out of the gate for more than a season or two and then all of the sudden become that elite talent they were supposed to be?
Seems like the Sven Baertschi route is far more common for top prospects players who dont start of their career well. IE fail to live up to the hype, pressure starts mounting to perform, expectations lowered, either finds new diminished role or doesn't make the NHL.
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Joe Thornton comes to mind right away. I am sure there have been others as well. I do think it is a huge caution sign, and the prospect's worth should indeed take at least somewhat of a hit, but that is where good scouting can pay off. He may be one of the ones that really turn it around, or just become a dud. Both happen with slow starts to the most promising of players at times.