Phillips literally trains with Ryan Van Asten in the offseason. As does Dube.
Concerns about strength are overblown.
Much like Gaudreau, the bigger issue for Phillips will simply be lacking the reach to play keepaway. But he's a strong off-puck player so he doesn't need to play a nonstop russian possession game.
Quote:
Originally Posted by transplant99
There is a reason he isn't with the big club...what is it?
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This may blow your mind, but professionals, whether GMs or Coaches, are still prone to irrational bias. Size is exactly that. A bias.
Now, if Phillips played in the league and proved ineffective (and even that would require a lot of patience - look how long it took Mangiapane before he found his game at this level) then you could say that there's a reason he isn't with the big club.