Quote:
Originally Posted by MarkGio
While I like how they picked bpa, regardless of size, we don't have enough right handed forwards.
But I prefer this philosophy over the Smith/Kanzig draft
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People are way too quick to write both of these prospects off.
Smith scored a lot in Junior, and also played on the PK. He lined up well with highly skilled junior players and contributed well on the score sheet. He will take time to develop more. He might bust, but this is way too early. He could very well become an efficient bottom 6 player that will also provide some depth scoring.
Do you know why they drafted Kanzig? I don't think many people realize it.
It wasn't because he was 6'6" and went undefeated as a fighter.
It was because in his first year, he sucked hard at playing defence. He took a HUGE step forward the next. Apparently, the kid is super intelligent, and is super dedicated (240lbs and Conroy remarked he looked like Schwarzenegger without his shirt on, and was blown away by how fit he was). He played top pairing in junior the rest of the way through on the Royals. He was also a really leader on that team with a good attitude. According to Todd Button, he has very high hockey IQ.
Can they both bust? Yep. But they haven't yet. They are very much in the long term plans of the Calgary Flames. They are also two of the more dedicated prospects for the Flames, and this can only help to rub off on other players in the system.
It has also been noted that players like Kanzig have to 'let up' quite a lot in Junior, or they will get penalized. I think with playing in the AHL, he will become more confident and less hesitant in using his size more, and becoming a more effective defencemen.
There is still a lot of time and development in both of those prospects to go before I am willing to rule them out as 'busts' or something to lament about yet.