Quote:
Originally Posted by JTech780
I would pass on Kaliyev, he has good skill and a good shot, but he isn't a great skater and there are serious questions about his compete level and work ethic.
Compete level and work ethic need to be one of the top characteristics we look for in prospects.
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When you get into the mid 20s you are going to have players with warts. Over simplifying but the guys with high ceilings, tend to have the type of risks that you highlight above. If you pick a safer guy that doesn't have clear deficiencies or concerns, you probably have a much lower ceiling.
I'm generally a fan of drafting largely on the basis of upside - prioritizing hockey sense, skating and scoring ability over character, intangibles or size.
Which is all to say if Kaliyev didnt' have those concerns - he'd be a top 10 or 15 pick. Might still be.