I disagree with most of that actually. I think Perry is better than Vanek in just about everything.

Vanek was just well ahead in his development when he was drafted. Perry was more raw.
- theblueandgold

Then you are underselling Vanek IMO.

I wasn't a fan (as you know) but he has top 5 draft talent

Um what?

- ImThatGuy

Pogge

Then you are underselling Vanek IMO.

I wasn't a fan (as you know) but he has top 5 draft talent
- sbroads24

I liked him just grew tired of his lack of will and wasn't sad to see him go.

Like I said Vanek has the ability to be one of the top 10-15 players in this league.

The issue is want to and he doesn't want to. He'd rather coast and collect his paycheck to pay off bookie's.
- dadeadhead

- Der Kaiser

Yes.

The 2003 Rap on HDTV:

Background: The hero of the Frozen Four, Vanek put on a show in Buffalo. Scouts admired that high skill level and clutch goal-scoring ability all season.

Scout's Take: "He's a great physical specimen, being barely 19 years old. He's powerful and he's got everything. He can skate like the wind and has the quickest hands I've seen on a kid that age in a long time.

"The rap on him is that some nights he doesn't show up. Personally, I think that's more of a function of the way he plays. He's not one of those guys who runs in and stirs everything up. He plays by reading what's going on and reacting to what happens. To say that he's lazy or doesn't have good work habits is silly.


The last quote makes me laugh. It was said back in college, and it remains true to this day.

Um what?

- ImThatGuy

Lol. This video does nothing but prove my point. #10 he banks off the back of a goalie from the goal line. There's clips of his typical clapper off the wing, oh he managed to score there. I've seen him miss that more times than score. Batting a puck out of mid air on the PP, standing alone in front of the net for a tip, more garbage goals...

Watch a highlight of Stamkos or Perry's best goals. You'll see a lot more individual effort in the highlights.

I liked him just grew tired of his lack of will and wasn't sad to see him go.
- dadeadhead

I liked him until 2010-2011. When he (reportedly) didn't want to be captian, didn't want to go to the All-Star game (Pominville went) and then eventually became captain knowing he had a foot out the door.

Then you are underselling Vanek IMO.

I wasn't a fan (as you know) but he has top 5 draft talent
- sbroads24

At the time, yes. He's not even top 10 most peoples 2003 redraft (there are hfboards threads on this)

I can. You trade back with a team like Philly or Colorado who NEEDS d help and you walk away with a guy that could be elite plus other assets to use to bring in other players. This draft is about McEichel or bust for Buffalo.
- dadeadhead

Anyone at that point in the draft who even has that ability will probably be a long shot to reach that level. If you've already got a top 4 pick, you're doing yourself a huge dis-service by trading down. You could probably get an nhl player with a better chance of hitting elite status than say someone at 6 or 7.

Lol. This video does nothing but prove my point. #10 he banks off the back of a goalie from the goal line. There's clips of his typical clapper off the wing, oh he managed to score there. I've seen him miss that more times than score. Batting a puck out of mid air on the PP, standing alone in front of the net for a tip, more garbage goals...

Watch a highlight of Stamkos or Perry's best goals. You'll see a lot more individual effort in the highlights.
- theblueandgold

We get it, they are better players. Perry did not have the natural skill Vanek did/does. You are acting like Vanek is Tomas Holmstrom

The 2003 Rap on HDTV:

Background: The hero of the Frozen Four, Vanek put on a show in Buffalo. Scouts admired that high skill level and clutch goal-scoring ability all season.

Scout's Take: "He's a great physical specimen, being barely 19 years old. He's powerful and he's got everything. He can skate like the wind and has the quickest hands I've seen on a kid that age in a long time.

"The rap on him is that some nights he doesn't show up. Personally, I think that's more of a function of the way he plays. He's not one of those guys who runs in and stirs everything up. He plays by reading what's going on and reacting to what happens. To say that he's lazy or doesn't have good work habits is silly.


The last quote makes me laugh. It was said back in college, and it remains true to this day.
- ImThatGuy

Cody Hodgson's scouting report has him as two way forward.

Cody Hodgson's scouting report has him as two way forward.

- Sabresfan-365

Stop and reverse ?

At the time, yes. He's not even top 10 most peoples 2003 redraft (there are hfboards threads on this)
- theblueandgold

Which is my point. He had the potential to be an elite winger, he is not. Common ground

We get it, they are better players. Perry did not have the natural skill Vanek did/does. You are acting like Vanek is Tomas Holmstrom
- sbroads24

So Perry is a better player but it had nothing to do with having better skill or talent. So what is it?

Stop and reverse ?
- cabin

Talent Analysis

Hodgson is a solid all around talent. He does not possess blinding speed, or flashy moves, but he tends to get the job done. He has developed into a fine two-way player. Hodgson is an extremely smart player who uses all of his skills in both ends of the ice. Excellent skater, very strong on the puck, can quarterback the powerplay. Hodson has very good hands and excellent on ice-vision.


Dare you to read that out loud and not laugh.

Anyone at that point in the draft who even has that ability will probably be a long shot to reach that level. If you've already got a top 4 pick, you're doing yourself a huge dis-service by trading down. You could probably get an nhl player with a better chance of hitting elite status than say someone at 6 or 7.
- Sabresfan-365

Teams just don't trade down at the top of the draft. Last team to so that was Florida. They walked away with Nathan Horton and JayBo over Eric Staal and Rick Nash

Talent Analysis

Hodgson is a solid all around talent. He does not possess blinding speed, or flashy moves, but he tends to get the job done. He has developed into a fine two-way player. Hodgson is an extremely smart player who uses all of his skills in both ends of the ice. Excellent skater, very strong on the puck, can quarterback the powerplay. Hodson has very good hands and excellent on ice-vision.


Dare you to read that out loud and not laugh.
- Sabresfan-365

I'm curious to know if the scouting report on Kassian had him as a good skater as well? Care to look it up?

What I'm coming away with... These published scouting reports are all hype. That, or, amongst their peers, where a majority of them weren't NHL talents, they looked good.

I'm curious to know if the scouting report on Kassian had him as a good skater as well? Care to look it up?

What I'm coming away with... These published scouting reports are all hype. That, or, amongst their peers, where a majority of them weren't NHL talents, they looked good.
- theblueandgold

Yea, they tend to be nothing more than puff pieces.

Talent Analysis

The 6'3, 205-pound right winger is a power forward prospect. He has imposing size and has shown a willingness to use it. While he may not have as much offensive upside as other forwards at the top of the draft order, Kassian's total package of size, checking, and energetic play make him an appealing addition to a club looking for a top-six forward who can open up the ice for other teammates. An ability to put the puck in the net adds to his value as he has proven he won't be an offensive liability with more skilled teammates.

I'm curious to know if the scouting report on Kassian had him as a good skater as well? Care to look it up?

What I'm coming away with... These published scouting reports are all hype. That, or, amongst their peers, where a majority of them weren't NHL talents, they looked good.
- theblueandgold

See I think all of those things in the scouting report were true at the Junior level. Something things just dont translate. Hodgson was actually a very good prospect at the time. He had just lit it up at the world juniors and was the leading point producer ahead of Tavares. All things were pointing to him being a good player at the NHL level. Just didnt happen..

See I think all of those things in the scouting report were true at the Junior level. Something things just dont translate. Hodgson was actually a very good prospect at the time. He had just lit it up at the world juniors and was the leading point producer ahead of Tavares. All things were pointing to him being a good player at the NHL level. Just didnt happen..
- MCGUIZZY

Yet ....

Yet ....
- Der Kaiser

right..

right..
- MCGUIZZY

Everyone Left

Everyone Left
- cabin

Still working here. No sense trying to go home in this snowstorm.

*** I know it aint nothing next to what you guys had a few weeks ago. ***

Still working here. No sense trying to go home in this snowstorm.

*** I know it aint nothing next to what you guys had a few weeks ago. ***
- Der Kaiser

My deck just got covered in the past 15 min. Roads look greasy

We didn't get any snow at all the last storm. Just S.E. of the chevy plant .

edit: update.. looks like an inch and still snowing .