Quote:
Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction
I think with size, you have to be weary of the same thing you do with over aged players that put up big numbers in junior. Being just a little more physically mature can give them a huge advantage in that age group.
Sometimes the opposite happens though. I remember watching Chara and Byfuglien in junior, two guys who went in later rounds, and they were so much bigger and stronger than the competition, they almost seemed disengaged at times. Almost like they didn't know what to do with themselves as they were like men playing with boys. Once they got to the pros, they were able to unleash.
I guess this is where scouts have to do their homework and look for subtle indications that the player has another level to reach in an environment that can challenge them more.
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I recall similar musings about Getzlaf in his draft year: The disengaged part. He had good production and pro level tools in his shot and passing. The intensity and physical play probably blossomed being in the same dressing room as Neidermayer, selanne and pronger. If only we drafted him over phaneuf. We probably have a cup with iggy here. Sigh
Regarding Ritchie he had a lot of skill and promise last year. Perhaps his issue is the team talent around him. The team is bottom 5 in the ohl. He only has one other player doing anything offensively. Ritchie is just above a ppg.
He has good size and had a good scouting report last year. I think he’s just struggling being on a bad team. Maybe a trade would do him some good. He may be a guy that we could target later in the first round or maybe early second round. I think he still goes late teens. Size and right handed shot are premiums at the Center spot.
All in all I don’t think he’s just using his size and strength to beat smaller players. I think he is just on an island with his one other player on a bottom feeding team. There may be something there.