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Originally Posted by TheScorpion
The NHL has plenty of effective players in the 5'7"—5'11" range.
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First of all, there is a massive difference between 5'7 (67") and 5'11 (71").
Here's the break down for playing more than half a season over the past five seasons.
5'4" - 1
5'5" - 0
5'6" - 1
5'7" - 4
5'8" - 8
5'9" - 34
5'10" - 54
5'11 - 122
The lets look beyond that.
6'0" - 173
6'1" - 188
6'2" - 166
6'3" - 177
6'4" - 63
6'5" - 20
6'6" - 14
6'7" - 4
6'8" - 1
6'9" - 1
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I'm not saying either will make it, but I think it's pretty unfair to write either guy off on size alone. They've been productive on bad Heat teams and they have the work ethic and versatility to go far in the NHL. I see Phillips having potential middle-six upside and Philp having 3-4C potential.
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I'll piss Bongo off and go out on a limb and speak in definitives, saying neither will be NHL players. Both are too small and have not dominated the minor league levels in any shape or form. Both are getting too old and don't have the time left to be a dominant player. I see a European league in both play's futures, because that is where the these types of players end up. They are both skilled players, but have limiting factors that do NOT make them NHL players.
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If they don't reach that ceiling, I don't think size is going to be the preventative factor — I think it'll more likely be speed with the puck. Both guys are quick with possession at the AHL level but I'm not sure how it'll translate to the NHL.
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If they can't do it in the minors, they definitely can't do it in the NHL. What is the driver? Lack of talent, or lack of size?
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I see far more potentially holding back guys like Ruzicka and Gawdin, for instance. Ruzicka's game still needs a ton of work and Gawdin doesn't stand out nearly enough at the AHL level.
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Size matters. But so does skill. If someone sets you up with a wide open net for a yeah, and you hit the corner of the rink with your attempt, you're not NHL talent. At least if you have size, you can grind it out and win puck battles that helps your team. You can at least make it more difficult on the opposition by wearing them down. A guy that is 5'5 and a 155 pounds? That's a lifting workout in the weight room. If you're that size, you have to be elite. The Flames have none of that in the minors. None.