We get it you both do not agree on the players potential..........I believe it's safe to move on.
- ob18

- stveshdy

It is shark week on the discovery channel I guess this is our version of it

Bill did NOT just simply say "it's possible" he said: "If he improves at a similar clip next season, yes, I think he can be a top-four" This indicates that Bill believes that MAB does, with further development, have the potential to be a top 4 NHL D man.

In my very similar view, I feel that with continued development he has the potential to reach a top 4 level. By contrast, in your view, you feel that his potential is that of a top 6. You can try and spin it if you want, but the reality is that Bills view is much closer to being in line with mine than yours.
- phantasm

That again is an opinion. One that I don't share. A player doesn't have to do anything to have the potential. He either has it or he doesn't.

The key word is if! If Kyle Wellwood continues to improve, and if he can score some goals, he can be a scoring line Winger. You can use ifs for every player.

Maybe others aren't overly concerned about what MJL thinks.
- bodiva88

I would hope that others are not as concerned. It's obsessive.

Whatever we think of mab is just speculation. I remember we thought alot of maxime oullette and the draft picks we gave up for oates. How'd those players turn out? We need to see this thing play out.

Maybe others aren't overly concerned about what MJL thinks.
- bodiva88

Toward that end, can we PLEASE have an ignore button put on this site!!?!?!?

Whatever we think of mab is just speculation. I remember we thought alot of maxime oullette and the draft picks we gave up for oates. How'd those players turn out? We need to see this thing play out.
- twotoekenn

Yes, because player evaluations aren't an exact science. Professional talent evaluators get it wrong on occasion. Nik Lidstrom was drafted in the 3rd round.

Toward that end, can we PLEASE have an ignore button put on this site!!?!?!?
- phantasm

Not at this time, you'll have to use self control since nobody forces anybody to respond to any post they don't want to

It is shark week on the discovery channel I guess this is our version of it
- ob18

I guess. Wouldn't be a normal day without an argument on hockey buzz.

That again is an opinion. One that I don't share. A player doesn't have to do anything to have the potential. He either has it or he doesn't.

The key word is if! If Kyle Wellwood continues to improve, and if he can score some goals, he can be a scoring line Winger. You can use ifs for every player.
- MJL

There is an assumption of further development to some extent in a young player like MAB that comes with forming an opinion about his potential. Perhaps this is over your head.

There is an assumption of further development to some extent in a young player like MAB that comes with forming an opinion about his potential. Perhaps this is over your head.
- phantasm

Young players don't always continue to grow. At some point they reach the limit of their development, and become what they are. Not a hard concept to grasp.

There is an assumption of further development to some extent in a young player like MAB that comes with forming an opinion about his potential. Perhaps this is over your head.
- phantasm

Honestly who cares if he agrees with you about MAB? We each rate players differently.

I think like any young player/rookie type, especially a D man, I have to assume there will be some significant further development in his game with more experience and maturity...with that further development, I think he becomes top 4 caliber. Is it possible he regresses from here? Sure...but I think he has it in him to avoid a significant and lasting regression...with that said, if his concussion issues resurface, all bets are off.
- phantasm

I base my opinion on as many factors as I can. Bourdon was not a very good AHL defenseman. As far as that goes, it is what it is. Bourdon's play in the NHL was better than I expected, but he also didn't really stand out. He need to work hard, especially on his skating, to take the next step.

I want to see what happens when he plays more games, see if he gets exposed. If he handles more minutes and manages to maintain a good level of play, I'd reassess my opinion. I'm always open to change my opinion. I don't mind being proven wrong. Id love to see MAB turn into a top 4 guy.

I base my opinion on as many factors as I can. Bourdon was not a very good AHL defenseman. As far as that goes, it is what it is. Bourdon's play in the NHL was better than I expected, but he also didn't really stand out. He need to work hard, especially on his skating, to take the next step.

I want to see what happens when he plays more games, see if he gets exposed. If he handles more minutes and manages to maintain a good level of play, I'd reassess my opinion. I'm always open to change my opinion. I don't mind being proven wrong. Id love to see MAB turn into a top 4 guy.
- Jsaquella

That's a perfect way of looking at it. 45 games is way too small of a sample size. Over time, a player becomes what he is. A player is put in harder situations and against better players, and things change. Just like you can't look at his 4 goals in 45 games and say he's a goal scorer from the back end. Matt Carle scored 11 goals his Rookie Season. Never came close to matching it is later Seasons.

I guess. Wouldn't be a normal day without an argument on hockey buzz.
- stveshdy

I say we fight about Schierholtz. he he.

I guess. Wouldn't be a normal day without an argument on hockey buzz.
- stveshdy

99% of the arguments are due to the overwhelming need by some to be right. The old smartest guy in the room syndrome.

All this debate over MAB is pretty silly, odds are he won't be able to stay healthy. But we'll see, would love to be proven wrong.

Young players don't always continue to grow. At some point they reach the limit of their development, and become what they are. Not a hard concept to grasp.
- MJL

Bourdon is 22 and has only played 46 games in the NHL. I would think it foolish to assume that a player, especially a D man, at such and age/experience level is at/approaching the limit of their development. Is this what you're implying?

99% of the arguments are due to the overwhelming need by some to be right. The old smartest guy in the room syndrome.

All this debate over MAB is pretty silly, odds are he won't be able to stay healthy. But we'll see, would love to be proven wrong.
- PLindbergh31

Let's go Flyers!!!

99% of the arguments are due to the overwhelming need by some to be right. The old smartest guy in the room syndrome.

All this debate over MAB is pretty silly, odds are he won't be able to stay healthy. But we'll see, would love to be proven wrong.
- PLindbergh31

I'd like to think that, as annoying as it may be sometimes, we do kind of vet the player(s) involved and everyone ends up learning more about them in the process...so there may be some redeeming value to this madness.

Bourdon is 22 and has only played 46 games in the NHL. I would think it foolish to assume that a player, especially a D man, at such and age/experience level is at/approaching the limit of their development. Is this what you're implying?
- phantasm

I'm not implying anything. It's quite possible that Bourdon's upside is just what he is now. And that's a serviceable 3rd pair NHL defenseman. Growth in a young player isn't infinite. If that was so, then how do 3rd pair defenseman become that? Not every young player at 22, continues to improve and grow as a player. Some stay the same. Some regress. Every player is different. And it's foolish to think that growth in a young player is guaranteed. It's not.

I'd like to think that, as annoying as it may be sometimes, we do kind of vet the player(s) involved and everyone ends up learning more about them in the process...so there may be some redeeming value to this madness.
- phantasm

I think Bourdon can get better, and certainly become perhaps a second pairing guy. Jury is still out. Players generally do not reach their potential at 22 yrs old. Experience is the best way to grow as a player.

The important thing to realize is the personnel that surrounds MAB. If the Flyers plan on having Gustafsson, and Gervais in the top 6, situation may dictate Bourdon play a second pairing role out of necessity regardless if he is ready or not. His concussion history from last year is pretty scary.

I think Bourdon can get better, and certainly become perhaps a second pairing guy. Jury is still out. Players generally do not reach their potential at 22 yrs old. Experience is the best way to grow as a player.

The important thing to realize is the personnel that surrounds MAB. If the Flyers plan on having Gustafsson, and Gervais in the top 6, situation may dictate Bourdon play a second pairing role out of necessity regardless if he is ready or not. His concussion history from last year is pretty scary.
- PLindbergh31

Now or never.

Now or never.
- stveshdy

For who? MAB?

Just read Lilja had surgery in mid-July, wonder why this was announced a month later.

Canada - Russia junior summit series game is on now for those wanting HOCKEY

http://www.sportlemon.tv/c-3.html