Haha, I know. Twenty will be a challenge. But even with just high-end power forwards in general... these guys didn't take extra years....

Ovechkin
Lucic
Lindros
Perry
Sundin

I mean, It's a lot harder to find the ones that needed extra years than not in my opinion. I think this is just something that's been pounded into our heads by the media... but never backed up with any facts.
- boonerbuck

Not to mention, very few of those listed had any sort of maturity issues or issues with professionalism to the point where the captain of the team was calling them out on it and all of those listed had much better hockey IQ and natural talent for the game as well.

Agreed, I remember looking it up and Bertuzzi and Neely both put up good rookie season numbers, 18 and 16 goals. A couple decent seasons followed before consistency struck.

If you use this as a list, it didnt take most of these guys long. But then again, we arent really expecting JV to be an all-time calibre, even all-star is a long shot: http://www.si.com/nhl/201...top-10-nhl-power-forwards

EDIT: I was checking Shanahan, guy only never scored 20 goals in his first and last seasons in the NHL
- WhiteLie

The more I think about it, it is uncommon for high end power forwards to take extra years to develop.

Haha, I know. Twenty will be a challenge. But even with just high-end power forwards in general... these guys didn't take extra years....

Ovechkin
Lucic
Lindros
Perry
Sundin

I mean, It's a lot harder to find the ones that needed extra years than not in my opinion. I think this is just something that's been pounded into our heads by the media... but never backed up with any facts.
- boonerbuck

Lucic was inconsistent from year to year so I think the media counts that as "taking a while", but a guy like Hartnell is one I would say took a solid 3 years to breakout. Franzen broke out in his 3rd season, Simmonds found his consistency in year 4 but to me 2-3 seasons isnt a real long time as they were all NHLers right away

Lucic was inconsistent from year to year so I think the media counts that as "taking a while", but a guy like Hartnell is one I would say took a solid 3 years to breakout. Franzen broke out in his 3rd season, Simmonds found his consistency in year 4 but to me 2-3 seasons isnt a real long time as they were all NHLers right away
- WhiteLie

If Virtanen could end up being like Simmonds I would be (frank)ing thrilled

poopty for him. He's not make or break for us but I appreciated his play this season.
- boonerbuck

Yah for sure. He doesn't drive offense or anything but I think he makes his line a bit tougher. I haven't read much about the extent of the surgery but I would think that any type surgery is involved on the neck, its pretty serious and risky.

If Virtanen could end up being like Simmonds I would be (frank)ing thrilled
- nucks_94

Simmonds spent another year in Jr's, then his big season was age 23ish. So while JV has time to get to that point, I dont think he has the scrappy attitude that Simmonds has, nor did he produce similarly in Jr's. Would be nice, but I am expecting Simmonds-lite (or Oiler-Kassian)

The more I think about it, it is uncommon for high end power forwards to take extra years to develop.
- boonerbuck

totally, time to move on from JV before the rest of the league realizes we got a waiver-caliber player on our hands

Lucic was inconsistent from year to year so I think the media counts that as "taking a while", but a guy like Hartnell is one I would say took a solid 3 years to breakout. Franzen broke out in his 3rd season, Simmonds found his consistency in year 4 but to me 2-3 seasons isnt a real long time as they were all NHLers right away
- WhiteLie

I wonder how it would compare if we measured power forwards against the rest of the forwards. I'm too lazy but I'd be pretty surprised if there is a significant difference in development time between PF's and the rest of the forward prospects.

Typically, we have to wait for the smaller players to fill out first...

Haha, I know. Twenty will be a challenge. But even with just high-end power forwards in general... these guys didn't take extra years....

Ovechkin
Lucic
Lindros
Perry
Sundin

I mean, It's a lot harder to find the ones that needed extra years than not in my opinion. I think this is just something that's been pounded into our heads by the media... but never backed up with any facts.
- boonerbuck

youre right, those didnt...although Lindros was already physically way ahead. Not many have full chest hair at 17.
OV came in as a skilled scoring forward not so much power forward.

Yes it's what they say in the league about power forwards. It has been true of some of them at least

I wonder how it would compare if we measured power forwards against the rest of the forwards. I'm too lazy but I'd be pretty surprised if there is a significant difference in development time between PF's and the rest of the forward prospects.

Typically, we have to wait for the smaller players to fill out first...
- boonerbuck

Yup, I dont know what people want to categorize Bo as, but he is in year 3 and looking much better/confident. The top guys can do it right away, everyone else has that ELC to develop. Mark Scheifele took to his 3rd before breaking out last season, seems to be about average timeline for good players

If Virtanen could end up being like Simmonds I would be (frank)ing thrilled
- nucks_94

It was Lefty last year that asked...

"Would you guys be upset if JV ceiling was a Dustin Brown type".

It's only fair to consider the player type and not the douche we know as Brown who's offense seems to have now disappeared.

youre right, those didnt...although Lindros was already physically way ahead. Not many have full chest hair at 17.
OV came in as a skilled scoring forward not so much power forward.

Yes it's what they say in the league about power forwards. It has been true of some of them at least
- SMBDragon

I wonder how it would compare if we measured power forwards against the rest of the forwards. I'm too lazy but I'd be pretty surprised if there is a significant difference in development time between PF's and the rest of the forward prospects.

Typically, we have to wait for the smaller players to fill out first...
- boonerbuck

perhaps the power types need time to figure it out from their junior years to nhl, being at the highest level on the planet

- boonerbuck

god I miss watching lindros play. Forsberg as well. Leclair was also a beast. That Lindros leclair renberg line sure earned the 'legion of doom' name

Dont think we'll be seeing that stuff ever again in todays nhl.

New blog is up, with spinal surgery for Dorsett, Demko doing well in Utica and Bieksa getting a chance to fight back against Ferland—even if he does play for a different team now...

http://www.hockeybuzz.com...oad-trip-begins/194/81144

Kassian actually had 15g 26p in 30 games in 2011-12 in the AHL. That was an impressive pace. Must of been before he was introduced to blow...

god I miss watching lindros play. Forsberg as well. Leclair was also a beast. That Lindros leclair renberg line sure earned the 'legion of doom' name

Dont think we'll be seeing that stuff ever again in todays nhl.
- SMBDragon

You are naming a lot of my favorite players...

If Virtanen could end up being like Simmonds I would be (frank)ing thrilled
- nucks_94

Virtanen will be a 15-20 goal per year power guy...that's it.

He won't hit Simmonds quality.

If Virtanen could end up being like Simmonds I would be (frank)ing thrilled
- nucks_94

Virtanen will be a 15-20 goal per year power guy...that's it.

He won't hit Simmonds quality.

You are naming a lot of my favorite players...

- boonerbuck

scott stevens too

I totally agree, they are young and inexperienced, but I believe I'm being accused of hating them and wanting Edler and Tanev and no youth.

Should we not be critical of sloppy play regardless of who there are?
- Makita

We should be 100% critical. Its what we doe here. Also we still look for the improvements even the small ones.

Virtanen will be a 15-20 goal per year power guy...that's it.

He won't hit Simmonds quality.
- LordHumungous

He will.

Larsen doesn't belong in the NHL
- VANTEL