Does anyone have interest in a late 90s/early 2000s Wayne Gretzky Bud Light cardboard cutout? Probably 4 feet high by 5 feet wide. I have no space for it but dont want to put it on the curb, but shipping would be expensive so EBay is out. PM me and you can have it if you can pick it up.

Without a doubt, the gulf between the AHL/KHL and the NHL is enormous. Guys like Manning, Brennan, Peter White, Phil Varone, et al were top line/top pair players in the AHL but 4th line/3rd pair or in some cases barely borderline players in the NHL.
- BiggE

I don't believe there is too big of a jump between the AHL and bottom-six, bottom-pair NHL. There's still a lot of replacement-level players in the league, and most of them do their jobs just fine.

The real jump is when you're talking about cracking top-six, top-four in the best league in the world. Guys who live on that level are definitely a cut above everybody else, save for maybe a dozen or so top KHL players.

I don't believe there is too big of a jump between the AHL and bottom-six, bottom-pair NHL. There's still a lot of replacement-level players in the league, and most of them do their jobs just fine.

The real jump is when you're talking about cracking top-six, top-four in the best league in the world. Guys who live on that level are definitely a cut above everybody else, save for maybe a dozen or so top KHL players.
- Tomahawk

I would disagree with you there. In my opinion the jump is bigger than you think it is. Just look at Phil Varone.

I would disagree with you there. In my opinion the jump is bigger than you think it is. Just look at Phil Varone.
- MJL

The European game is different than na hockey as well. Every year during the off-season one of the league leaders in points are raved about and a so called hype on who will sign them. Rarely are these players anything more than role players or are gone within a year. Yes there are exceptions. Same goes with ncaa players.

Speed time pace physicality and precision is the difference to me.

I would disagree with you there. In my opinion the jump is bigger than you think it is. Just look at Phil Varone.
- MJL

Oh and thins you can’t teach. No way of knowing, but if varone was 6’2” and 205. Playing exactly how he does now. He would have played more nhl games.

Oh and thins you can’t teach. No way of knowing, but if varone was 6’2” and 205. Playing exactly how he does now. He would have played more nhl games.
- Peter Richards

Size could certainly help him but in my opinion he would have remake his game. Become more of a role player and offer something more as a player.

I would disagree with you there. In my opinion the jump is bigger than you think it is. Just look at Phil Varone.
- MJL

Was Phil Varone really that out of place as a 4th liner? I felt like he was about the same as Boyd Gordon, or PEB, or Leier, or Knight, or any of the other replacement level guys the Flyers have gone with in recent years.

Was Phil Varone really that out of place as a 4th liner? I felt like he was about the same as Boyd Gordon, or PEB, or Leier, or Knight, or any of the other replacement level guys the Flyers have gone with in recent years.
- Tomahawk

PEB is light years ahead of those schlubs

PEB is light years ahead of those schlubs
- KINGKENZO

In what way exactly?

Was Phil Varone really that out of place as a 4th liner? I felt like he was about the same as Boyd Gordon, or PEB, or Leier, or Knight, or any of the other replacement level guys the Flyers have gone with in recent years.
- Tomahawk

Varone was an MVP caliber player in the AHL. In the NHL he was a marginal at best 4th line player. That's a significant gap.

Varone was an MVP caliber player in the AHL. In the NHL he was a marginal at best 4th line player. That's a significant gap.
- MJL

But what about guys like Zac Rinaldo who never scored and guys like Corban Knight who were pretty average but were also capable of playing NHL shifts?

My point is that there are hundreds of pro players across the world who are "good enough" to play a regular NHL shift in some capacity. Whether it's as a general talent or some kind of specialist, they could do it if they're in the right place at the right time.

Meanwhile, the pool of players capable of holding down an NHL scoring-line role is ridiculously tiny. To me, that's where the really massive jump is.

But what about guys like Zac Rinaldo who never scored and guys like Corban Knight who were pretty average but were also capable of playing NHL shifts?

My point is that there are hundreds of pro players across the world who are "good enough" to play a regular NHL shift in some capacity. Whether it's as a general talent or some kind of specialist, they could do it if they're in the right place at the right time.

Meanwhile, the pool of players capable of holding down an NHL scoring-line role is ridiculously tiny. To me, that's where the really massive jump is.
- Tomahawk

That's a completely different discussion. Rinaldo was in the league because he can skate and his physical ability. You're right, the jump to a scoring line is a massive jump. Exactly my point.