Quote:
Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe
I am somewhat of the same mind with regards to Nylander, but maybe not quite that far 
I like prospects that have a non-stop motor - which is why I really love Jost. I love prospects that are both physical and possess a high degree of skill. That is what I 'expect' from near the top of the draft anyways.
Nylander is definitely skilled, but is he more skilled than Jost or even Keller? I don't want Keller, but I would pick Keller over Nylander as I think his skill level is higher, and so is his compete.
There are a few different ways for the Flames to become 'harder to play against'. I do think that adding Nylander does make them harder to play against - another legitimate scoring threat is always welcome. However, big physical guys with skill, or skill guys with non-stop motors and high compete levels rank higher in my mind. I like Jost a lot because he isn't undersized, has a non-stop motor, great speed, good playmaking and a good shot.
I question Nylander's compete level when he finishes the season with around 5 goals in the last 24 games - if I heard that correctly (anyone confirm?). He did increase his goal output in the playoffs - and that is actually important - but there are a handful of forwards I would rather the Flames pick after Dubois/Tkachuk come off the board, and I think I would rather have any of the top 3 or 4 defencemen over Nylander too. I think Nylander fell out of my own top 10. |
Odd, Nylander's skillset is as highly regarded as the Finns in some circles. It's his size that separates them.
As for his points winding down to the end of the season is perhaps a result of the team resting their core guys because in the playoffs, 6 gp, 6g,6a 12 pts. Then in the U-18's: 7gp, 3g 8a 11 pts.
I too am suspect of some soft play I witnessed but not enough to lose it if the Flames take him. The guy has an amazing skillset. Not sure how one can come up with the idea Jost or Keller are more skilled.
EDIT: I am also very suspect of guys who got a big time bump because of the U-18's and folks relying that tournament as the be all end all of a players final ranking. It's odd that one tournaments performance undoes an entire body of work in a season.