This. I don't think it can be overlooked that he is a big body that can skate well. He has been unlucky not to have hit the score sheet in the few games he has played. Was still a 20 year old starting the season with 1 pro year under his belt.
I have also felt when the Flames were in the playoffs that last few years, they lacked elite size and elite skating. Tkachuk plays that game but was small for his style. Gaudreau was a good skater but lack that top end speed. Lucic was huge but a 4th liner by the time we had him.
We never seem to have that player that can out skate anyone or that player that is 6 foot 3 or bigger with skill and 220+
Even if he is a 3rd liner, if he can continue to build muscle and get to 220+, he will be a handful.
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I'm not debating that. Even players picked top 5 can take many years to develop. A lot of fans don't have patience for that. They expect the player to pop in a season or two, if they don't, then it's a bust!
Can you imagine the freak out on CP if the Flames drafted first overall and the player was Juraj Slafkovsky.
Yep, it even took Nathan MacKinnon 5 NHL seasons to become the superstar we all covet.
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Pffffft why you so positive bro! Live down in the filth. Hate everything. That's what all the cool kids are doing. Know your place!
So histrionic around here!
I'm not hating, I even said that he's not doing poorly. I challenge you to show me a single stat that shows he is performing better than his draft peers without using "he's played 10 NHL games!"
That's all I am saying. It's not even smashing optimism. It's just asking why are people being optimistic beyond having a feeling that he is playing better 2-way hockey... he's a -4 in 5 games this year so I respectfully push back on this eye test with the raw fact that he's been on the ice for almost a goal against per game he's played.
I'm not hating, I even said that he's not doing poorly. I challenge you to show me a single stat that shows he is performing better than his draft peers without using "he's played 10 NHL games!"
That's all I am saying. It's not even smashing optimism. It's just asking why are people being optimistic beyond having a feeling that he is playing better 2-way hockey... he's a -4 in 5 games this year so I respectfully push back on this eye test with the raw fact that he's been on the ice for almost a goal against per game he's played.
This wasn't aimed at you. It's from some other threads.
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Originally Posted by Poe969
It's the Law of E=NG. If there was an Edmonton on Mars, it would stink like Uranus.
I'm not hating, I even said that he's not doing poorly. I challenge you to show me a single stat that shows he is performing better than his draft peers without using "he's played 10 NHL games!"
That's all I am saying. It's not even smashing optimism. It's just asking why are people being optimistic beyond having a feeling that he is playing better 2-way hockey... he's a -4 in 5 games this year so I respectfully push back on this eye test with the raw fact that he's been on the ice for almost a goal against per game he's played.
Games played doesn't paint much of a picture other than playing well enough to get a chance on an NHL roster which isn't being done by other players.
He's also 4th on the team in xGF% and has actually helped Backlund and Coleman to better numbers (with and without data).
Certainly more meaningful to me than -4 on a team that can't score goals.
Not only is Honzek playing meaningful minutes but his addition of weight/muscle this year has lead to, IMO, him staying healthy for what feels like his longest stretch in some time. He can take hits, he's improved his IQ / awareness so he's not in poor position otherwise and his shot is pretty good too.
It sounds like his last injury was a big wake up call for him in recognizing how to play and what positions not to put himself in.
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Yep, it even took Nathan MacKinnon 5 NHL seasons to become the superstar we all covet.
The reality is were likely to see #1 overall picks take longer to develop. The game has opened up. NHL scouting has changed and smaller skilled players are more coveted.
Guys like J. Hughes and Bedard were clearly less physically developed than many of their peers when they joined the NHL Expecting these guys to stroll into the NHL, as 150-160 lbs 18 year olds, and dominate against full grown men is ridiculous.
My guess is that McKenna will be in a similar boat. He'll need 2-3 years, at least, before he's more than a complimentary perimeter player.
Games played doesn't paint much of a picture other than playing well enough to get a chance on an NHL roster which isn't being done by other players.
He's also 4th on the team in xGF% and has actually helped Backlund and Coleman to better numbers (with and without data).
Certainly more meaningful to me than -4 on a team that can't score goals.
I think Honzek is getting discounted because he actually made the team last year. if he had played in collage last year (like Morre did and many others are now doing), and then this year was simply playing in the AHL, I doubt anyone would have that much expectations of him.
Nazar did the same thing after getting drafted. He played a year of college, then the AHL the next year and came up about 2/3rd of the next year. And look at him now.
Well not counting last year because reasons is actually pretty dumb.
He didn't make the team last year. He had a 5 game tryout and got sent back down. Remains to be seen if he's actually made it this year. I suspect that if he isn't contributing offense at some point he'll be swapped out for Gridin again.
He didn't make the team last year. He had a 5 game tryout and got sent back down. Remains to be seen if he's actually made it this year. I suspect that if he isn't contributing offense at some point he'll be swapped out for Gridin again.
Making the team = Being on the opening night roster.
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He didn't make the team last year. He had a 5 game tryout and got sent back down. Remains to be seen if he's actually made it this year. I suspect that if he isn't contributing offense at some point he'll be swapped out for Gridin again.
He got injured which kind of derailed his season. Staying healthy has always been an issue with him.
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"A pessimist thinks things can't get any worse. An optimist knows they can."
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I'm not hating, I even said that he's not doing poorly. I challenge you to show me a single stat that shows he is performing better than his draft peers without using "he's played 10 NHL games!"
That's all I am saying. It's not even smashing optimism. It's just asking why are people being optimistic beyond having a feeling that he is playing better 2-way hockey... he's a -4 in 5 games this year so I respectfully push back on this eye test with the raw fact that he's been on the ice for almost a goal against per game he's played.
He's top 16 in penalty minutes when compared to his draft peers. There's 208 players behind him from the class of '23. High grit index.
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I think Honzek is getting discounted because he actually made the team last year. if he had played in collage last year (like Morre did and many others are now doing), and then this year was simply playing in the AHL, I doubt anyone would have that much expectations of him.
Nazar did the same thing after getting drafted. He played a year of college, then the AHL the next year and came up about 2/3rd of the next year. And look at him now.
Yeah, people seem to think he should have taken the team by storm by this year when pretty much no comparable has done that.
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He didn't make the team last year. He had a 5 game tryout and got sent back down. Remains to be seen if he's actually made it this year. I suspect that if he isn't contributing offense at some point he'll be swapped out for Gridin again.
He made the opening night roster out of training camp, full stop. He got hurt and sent down. Doesn't change anything.
If Honzek turns out to be a gritty third like centre like an Adam Lowry, I'd be ok with that. I don't think his ceiling will be much higher than that honestly.
I think that is being very optimistic. I see almost zero upside with Honzek.
