Quote:
Originally Posted by N26
Not one of them has the past success, experience and progression that Gillies has.
Zagidulin has one good VHL season and one good KHL backup season and has never played outside the Russian hockey system. Not even 1 internationally at some U16 tournemet even.
Schneider has an average-ish WHL career and a two week AHL hot streak sandwiched between some below-average ECHL play .
Wolf is an undersized goalie with one great statistical year on a junior team which pretty much is, and has been for many years, the very definition of defense-first play.
I like that we have all of them. I am intrigued by Zagidulin and Wolf is exactly what 7th round picks are for. Take a high-risk, high-reward chance on someone who maybe should have gone a few rounds higher.
But none of them are even close to a 6'6, 220lb two-time All-American NCAA champion (Frozen Four MVP), two-time World Junior team member (! gold as a backup), 130 AHL games (53-56-7 on some poor defensive teams) and 12 NHL games played (4-5-1) goalie.
Absolutely there is cause for concern. He has been below average the last two years. He hasn't shown that he can overcome a lot of adversity yet. Stockton looks like it might be a young team again this year which isn't great for goaltenders. He may not have the next level. But I really don't think that is known yet. But suggestions that we couldn't give him away or that Wolf and Zagidulin are already top 10 prospects seem a little ridiculous to me.
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Gilles will easily pass through waivers some time before the end of camp. Is that not the definition of not being able to give him away for free? And I don't think it's been suggested by many (any?) that Wolf and Zagidulin should be top 10. Gilles generously was put 15th this year, he probably should be 20th or so, with Zag and Wolf in the mid to late teens.
Edit: Even Zoller would probably admit that Nick Schneider should be lower, that was a bit hyperbolic.