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Originally Posted by PepsiFree
I really disagree with this excuse for writing Hanifin off as "what he is." Or writing any young player off based solely on the number of NHL games they've played.
Yes, NHL games played has a positive impact on development. No argument. But it's a positive impact, not the ultimate decider.
Human beings continue to develop mentally and physically past their teens. Science suggests mens brains and decision-making abilities aren't fully developed until about 25 or so (and matures even later than that). In terms of physical peak, most men reach it in their late 20s (if consistent physical activity and fitness is in play, which for hockey players it would be).
The science aside, you can look at the players I mentioned. None of Chara, Burns, or Gio were "what they were" after 400 games played. Many more lesser defencemen are true of that, too. Gio couldn't even make the NHL full time at 23, which is also true of many NHL defencemen.
Hanifin has achieved an impressive amount given his age, and is far ahead of many players at the same stage. He's still young, and given that 400 games is not some magical decider of what will be either, there's still plenty of potential left.
Mass mentioned that Hanifin reminds him of Ryan Murray, an older player who made the NHL later, has less games played, and scored less goals in the last 3 years combined than Hanifin has in any single season, including this pandemic-shortened one (along with less points overall). A player who, conveniently, had his best season so far at 25 (his 6th NHL season). The comparison doesn't make a lot of sense, but even if you wanted to take it, it would suggest that Hanifin has room to grow.
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This is the same song we've heard countless times about Sam Bennett.
I'd like to give Hanifin the benefit of the doubt but I have not seen much, if any development from him over the last two years. He's a big, quick, but soft guy with average defending and average offense. Other than the brain development and maturity crap you're going on about, what part of his game leads you to believe he has a shot at becoming a top 2 defender? He will be turning 24 right around the start of the 2020-2021 season btw.
I say we cash in on him now, preferably for a top 6 C.