On the ice for 5 ga is... not wonderful. But it's only one game. He's having a great season.
Not true. He was on the ice for 4 goals against, 2 of which were empty net goals. The goal he assisted on was a power play goal (no + for PP goals) This is a nice example of why +/- is a useless individual stat.
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Not an excuse but they have really bad goaltending and not a good team overall.
Well, their goaltending isn't so good, but they sit 2nd overall in the OHL with 53 points, and 5th with a win% of .631. Their goals-for is first overall with 177, but goals-against is 6th worst.
Good take by Bader, needs to add an exclamation mark to Rory Kerins! though.
Hot take by Bader.
This is why you can't evaluate talent using a spreadsheet. Kerins' scoring is awesome, but what about his play? What about his skills? Will they translate? Does he have NHL speed? Does he have an NHL shot, or are pro goaltenders going to stop more of his shots? Does he think the game well (I've read this is his strength)? Can he play defense or display any defensive awareness? Does he have the work ethic of a pro? Does he have the mental toughness to be a pro? All of those things don't show up in a spreadsheet and more often determine whether a guy is going to be a good pro. NHLe is a poor tool to determine if a player is going to make the jump and be an NHL player. Beware the false security that junior scoring exploits provides. Rob Schremp lurks behind every junior scoring champ, waiting to poke holes in expectations.
I'm excited to see Keirns continued development and see whether his skills translate to the next level. Zavgorodniy is an example of a recent junior scorer whose game just didn't translate to pro. Immediately I would still question whether Keirns' skating and shot are NHL level. He's a very opportunistic scorer so those things may not automatically translate. But I've read many glowing reports on his ability to think the game, his work ethic, and his desire, which are all positives. Keirns seems like a guy that might be sent back for an overage season before he plays pro, so I don't think we'll know what we have for another two years.
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Why would you question Kerins' shot? He's been an excellent finisher for his entire OHL career.
Because he's blowing smoke? He didn't qualify any of his statements by saying he's seen him play so it sounds like he is just voicing his own opinion on the player.
Why would you question Kerins' shot? He's been an excellent finisher for his entire OHL career.
Because there is a difference between beating junior goaltenders and professionals. I don't know how many times people need it explained to them, but the jump between leagues is substantial. You are going from a league where you were "the best", to the next league where EVRYONE was the best from the previous level. What might have worked at one level may not work at the next. See Zavgorodniy as an example. A highly skilled junior player that scored with a high degree of regularity. 1 goal in 45 professional games across two leagues. Sometimes skills just don't translate. There's a reason why players get drafted late like this, and its usually because there is a belief skills may not translate.
As to skills, Keirns shot has never really impressed me. He's opportunistic and the pucks find their way in, but it isn't like he has a wicked release or a shot that overpowers a goaltender. He's accurate, especially picking the low corners, but he doesn't possess what you would call a sniper's rifle for shot. How many of those shots do you think the goaltenders wanted back? Will that ability to find holes continue at the next level? Here's his goal scoring highlights. You tell me you see an NHL shot?
Compare to Zary. How many of those shots ended up with the goaltender is looking behind him because he was beat so cleanly?
Here's a guy with a sniper shot.
Beyond Keirns' shot, what do you think of his skating? I'm not sure I see an NHL stride there. Compare if you will.
Counting points is not a great way to judge junior players. Robbie Schremp should remind everyone that junior scoring exploits don't amount to much. Look at skills and whether those skills are at an elite level and will translate to the NHL.
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I'm really high on this prospect. I think him and Pelletier will be mainstays in the middle six in the next few years, with hopes that one pushes into bona-fide top 6 territory.
