Quote:
Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher
I think you are focusing too much on numbers. let's use your best case scenario, Lucic. did you know that Lucic scored 19 points in 60 some games in his draft year. those aren't gaudy numbers. did you know that he wasn't point per game in junior the year after either? his top goal scoring year in junior was 30 but hey, he also scored 30 in the NHL.
One thing a lot of fans don't seem to notice is that bigger players often have bith their games and their points translate more easily to the NHL. The small, massive point producing players in junior often can't translate their numbers. Guys like Gaudreau are the exception not the norm. But if you look at the stats closely of a lot of big guys who play a power game you'd be surprised that they weren't dominant point producers in junior but a ores at a similar rate in junior and pro. Take Getzlaf for example, he didn't lead junior in scoring even though he had size, strength and skill. in fact he scored at the same rate or better in the NHL. Lucic is another example of this. if you or I look closely we could probably find others.
so to me Smith's numbers aren't concerning at all. powerforwards don't develop as quickly as smaller players and their games readily translate to the NHL because with a little more muscle they can out power most NHLers as easily as they did the kids in junior.
anyone else with me?
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I have to say I enjoy most of your posts but I just don't think you're really reading me here. I like Smith, I really do. I want him to succeed and dominate. It's just when I'm projecting young players, I'm trying to keep myself grounded and 2nd Line seems like a lot for Smith. I think he's going to play for us and a lot of other teams in a depth role, I just don't see him as more than a depth player.
In the above bolded you mentioned Lucic's draft year totals. I was talking about Smith's draft+2 totals as last year was his second post draft year after being passed over in 2013. Lucic didn't have draft+2 because he played on Boston one year after being drafted. The closest comparison is Lucic D+1 vs Smith D+2
Lucic draft+1 totals= 70-30-38-68
Smith draft+2 totals= 57-23-26-49
Sure Lucic only got 19 points in his draft year, but he got 27 in his draft+2 year, his rookie season with the Boston Bruins. Smith got 49 in 57 for the Oshawa Generals at the same juncture. It's just not comparable. Nieuwendyk is to Iginla as Lucic is to Smith (if he maxes out or gets a genie) in terms of holy #### that was unexpected!
For the record I love big, talented players, I'm not trying to sound anti-big. Ferland is one of my top 5 favorite players on team. I'm getting his jersey as soon as he gets a new ## or confirmed keeps 79 and wears in it the retros. I think the kid has Lucic-lite written all over him and I'm not backing off that. He's going to get 20+ goals a couple times at least AND smash McDavid to the point wear Edmonton city council tries to ban him from the city limits.