If they are brought up the right way, I think they will be that successful. I wouldn't throw them to the wolves. Let them learn the game in a sheltered line for half a season or so, just to make sure they understand how much faster it is. It's the same argument for Reinhart. He knew the plays to make, but was a step behind the game physically and possibly mentally.
- thatsapickle

Backstrom played his first 10 or so games on the 4th line in Washington. They did it to get him acclimated to the NHL speed and physicality. It's probably not a bad idea in general. But you have to give them room to grow too. THey can't be left in that kind of position too long otherwise it could hurt them too.

I hear this a lot but just because someone is 22 doesn't make him a better hockey player than an 18 year old in the OHL. More players from the CHL make it to the NHL than the NCAA.
- Pierceme69

They are more physically mature. Not necessarily a better player.

If they are brought up the right way, I think they will be that successful. I wouldn't throw them to the wolves. Let them learn the game in a sheltered line for half a season or so, just to make sure they understand how much faster it is. It's the same argument for Reinhart. He knew the plays to make, but was a step behind the game physically and possibly mentally.
- thatsapickle

Reinhart I expect to be up here full time next year but I agree he didn't have it physically. Saying he didn't have it mentally couldn't be more wrong though considering he was claimed to be the smartest hockey IQ of any player drafted in the last ten years.

Many people will look at their output in the World Juniors. I think the BU team would be able to hold back the firepower of Erie. I think it would be more of a close battle and an offensive onslaught.
- thatsapickle

Again IMO the top tier college programs(ie BU) are equal to the Jr programs.

It's interesting that you keep mentioning Seguin, but not Hall, since Hall was actually drafted before Seguin.
- HonkFortheGoose

I know. But I think Seguin is a more dynamic player.

Backstrom played his first 10 or so games on the 4th line in Washington. They did it to get him acclimated to the NHL speed and physicality. It's probably not a bad idea in general. But you have to give them room to grow too. THey can't be left in that kind of position too long otherwise it could hurt them too.
- HonkFortheGoose

I definitely do not disagree. I think giving them the time to learn the game is necessary, but you also don't want them to get pummeled night in and night out. I don't want McDavid or Eichel playing with Kaleta/Ellis/etc. for more than 10 games. It did not benefit Reinhart and they should learn that lesson.

Seguin has had significantly more success, but it's on a team level. I haven't compared their individual stats.
- thatsapickle

Exactly. Hall has put up good stats on a team that's been pretty epically bad. I haven't done an actual comparison either, but Hall isn't exactly a slouch.

That said, I would build around Seguin before Hall, mostly just because he's a center and not a winger.

Many people will look at their output in the World Juniors. I think the BU team would be able to hold back the firepower of Erie. I think it would be more of a close battle and an offensive onslaught.
- thatsapickle

That was my brothers main argument. There is essentially no defense played in juniors compared to college. Im not too sure of the overall talent difference though, age and experience would play a major role in that type of game for sure.

Reinhart I expect to be up here full time next year but I agree he didn't have it physically. Saying he didn't have it mentally couldn't be more wrong though considering he was claimed to be the smartest hockey IQ of any player drafted in the last ten years.
- bluengold12

That's why I said he knew the play, but was a step behind because he's not adjusted to the speed. It can have an impact on a player's mental capability.

Backstrom played his first 10 or so games on the 4th line in Washington. They did it to get him acclimated to the NHL speed and physicality. It's probably not a bad idea in general. But you have to give them room to grow too. THey can't be left in that kind of position too long otherwise it could hurt them too.
- HonkFortheGoose

This is fine when your 4th line players aren't guys like Pat Kaleta and John Scott...

Again IMO the top tier college programs(ie BU) are equal to the Jr programs.
- dadeadhead

I think the teams that make the Frozen Four are able to go toe-to-toe with the teams that make the Memorial Cup. No questions asked. I think they would fair better because their bodies are more matured than 16-19 year old players also.

Exactly. Hall has put up good stats on a team that's been pretty epically bad. I haven't done an actual comparison either, but Hall isn't exactly a slouch.

That said, I would build around Seguin before Hall, mostly just because he's a center and not a winger.
- HonkFortheGoose

I think that's the reason people list Seguin over Hall. He plays the "premier" position that you need to build around.

This is fine when your 4th line players aren't guys like Pat Kaleta and John Scott...
- bluengold12

Most 4th line guys are like Pat Kaleta and John Scott. There may be a few teams where that's not the case, but guys like that on the 4th line are more the norm.

I hear this a lot but just because someone is 22 doesn't make him a better hockey player than an 18 year old in the OHL. More players from the CHL make it to the NHL than the NCAA.
- Pierceme69

McDavid on some nights is playing against 16 year old boys.


Eichel is playing every night against men. Most men regardless of skill are more physically mature then 16 year old boys.

IMO Eichel will initially have the better stats and for a while will look like the guy that should have been taken 1. As I said initially, before someone jumps down my throat.

Most 4th line guys are like Pat Kaleta and John Scott. There may be a few teams where that's not the case, but guys like that on the 4th line are more the norm.
- HonkFortheGoose

In my humble opinion John Scott was a small piece of the massive puzzle that ruined Grigerenko's start of his career. Reinhart floundered on Buffalos "4th line" too

McDavid on some nights is playing against 16 year old boys.


Eichel is playing every night against men. Most men regardless of skill are more physically mature then 16 year old boys.

IMO Eichel will initially have the better stats and for a while will look like the guy that should have been taken 1. As I said initially, before someone jumps down my throat.
- dadeadhead

I wish that Eichel had dominated more in the WJC this year. He didn't have a bad tournament, but I was hoping for a bit more. Especially since he was playing against his peers age wise and stuff.

McDavid on some nights is playing against 16 year old boys.


Eichel is playing every night against men. Most men regardless of skill are more physically mature then 16 year old boys.

IMO Eichel will initially have the better stats and for a while will look like the guy that should have been taken 1. As I said initially, before someone jumps down my throat.
- dadeadhead

For the record i would prefer to land mcdavid, might be a part of that "getting what everyone wants" coming into play. He was good, but I would have liked to see more electricity from eichel in the WJC. Every time i have seen mcdavid play he is electric.

McDavid on some nights is playing against 16 year old boys.


Eichel is playing every night against men. Most men regardless of skill are more physically mature then 16 year old boys.

IMO Eichel will initially have the better stats and for a while will look like the guy that should have been taken 1. As I said initially, before someone jumps down my throat.
- dadeadhead

Just because someone is bigger doesn't mean he is necessarily harder to play against.

In my humble opinion John Scott was a small piece of the massive puzzle that ruined Grigerenko's start of his career. Reinhart floundered on Buffalos "4th line" too
- bluengold12

I think Grigorenko struggling had nothing to do with John Scott and everything to do with Grigorenko.

Reinhart probably would have been fine here, but they decided it was more beneficial to send him to Jr and let him get one more year under his belt. They knew this season here was going to be rough and probably figured it wasn't best for him to have to deal with it.

He's not gaining anything physically being in Jr as a player is never going to gain weight during the season. They struggle just to maintain their weight, let alone add to it.

It was strictly a strategic move that removed him from a really poopty situation here while increasing our chances at getting either McDavid or Eichel.

I wish that Eichel had dominated more in the WJC this year. He didn't have a bad tournament, but I was hoping for a bit more. Especially since he was playing against his peers age wise and stuff.
- HonkFortheGoose

I do feel there is something to be said that Eichel was the guy for the US and McDavid played a more shelter roll. When Canada need that goal or defensive stop it was the Domi/Reinhart line out there.


Both are generational players.

I do feel there is something to be said that Eichel was the guy for the US and McDavid played a more shelter roll. When Canada need that goal or defensive stop it was the Domi/Reinhart line out there.


Both are generational players.
- dadeadhead

I liked what I saw out of Reinhart for sure. He dominated the way I was hoping he would. But I'm sure Eichel playing such a huge role for the US was part of what held him back as well. However, he's going to need to be that guy for whatever team ends up with him at the draft, so I just wish we had seen a bit more.

I do feel there is something to be said that Eichel was the guy for the US and McDavid played a more shelter roll. When Canada need that goal or defensive stop it was the Domi/Reinhart line out there.


Both are generational players.
- dadeadhead

Better hope so

Just because someone is bigger doesn't mean he is necessarily harder to play against.
- Pierceme69

No doubt thats why I said more physically mature. There is a difference.


I'd take 22 yr old me over 16 yr old me any day of the week.

Just because someone is bigger doesn't mean he is necessarily harder to play against.
- Pierceme69

For what its worth earlier i looked up both rosters, and size wise they are very very similar.

Strength in a 16 year old vs 22 year old is different. Doesnt exactly mean they are harder to play against, but i would think there is a bit more structure to the college game which is undoubtedly harder to play against.

Just because someone is bigger doesn't mean he is necessarily harder to play against.
- Pierceme69

I disagree. I think it's significantly harder to play against a guy that is 6'4 and fills out his frame, rather than a guy that is 6'4 and 185. Just my opinion.