Quote:
Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina
Suniev isn't the same quality prospect as Perreault or Leonard. Of the 3 being discussed I think Leonard is far and away the most "ready"
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Agreed, not a slight at Suniev in the least but it's a fact. Don't think many posters appreciate how big the difference between NCAA, AHL and NHL are. It's borderline irresponsible for the coaching staff to put in Suniev at this point in the season, especially if we keep winning games. Wonder if anyone remembers Coronato's first few games in the 23/24 season, he looked brutal. Even now after 100games in the league, you get the feeling that there is still a ton he needs to work on (which is a good thing for him).
Interesting to look at the numbers, but of the current top 50 point getters, 30 didn't need AHL seasoning. However, 21 of them are top10 picks, 5 were first rounders which leaves 4 players who were drafted afterwards.
Aho, Point, Bratt and Panarin. Panarin signed as an older player so he doesn't really fit the analysis, so really it's 3 players drafted outside the first round were able to make the NHL without any AHL time. Some other relevant names who made the jump successfully are Fox, Faber, Slavin and Gaudreau (RIP). I haven't looked, but I would bet that if you looked at the top 51-300 scorers, the amount of players who were drafted outside round 1 and played <20 AHL games before making the league can be counted on two hands.
My point being, unless we view Suniev as a literal lottery ticket of a prospect, there is no way he would be able to adequately replace any player on the current Flames roster this year and next year as well.