Huge difference between being optimistic and hopeful. Versus inaccurately stating a players potential. Such as thinking that Bourdon's potential is a top 4 defenseman. You can be hopeful that he exceeds his potential, as it's not an exact science. But the reality is that his potential is that of a 3rd pair defenseman in this League.

It's really a pretty simple concept!

I like Eric Wellwood, and I'm hopeful that he becomes a top line Winger! That doesn't make his potential that of a top line Winger!

- MJL

"The reality is..." Who are you to define what the reality of the player's future is? As I've said before your speculative observations are no more true than my speculative observations until they become proven right or wrong at some point in the future. You were off base with your projection of Giroux (despite your version of what his"reality" was back then) and you might very well be off base here regarding Bourdon. That's the reality.