What does a "draft" eligible player look like

[GoDogsGo]

I have started this thread not to take away from other threads... I think this is a good topic of discussion as the dogs team have several players that are/should be "draft" eligible..

So what does a "draft" eligible player look like... what does he have to show...how does he have to play, does he have to be role model in the community... what kinda of hockey back ground does he have to have...

Lets get at it... if you were a scout... what would you look for...

[ItsGameTime]

Forwards... skill, size, speed (more so if smaller), quick release on the shot, defensive ability... most importantly how they work with the team they are on... does the player get a small amount of points because they don't have anyone else on the team... is the person getting a lot of points because of who they are playing with? decisions made with and without the puck

Defense... puck moving ability, skating, what does he look like in the defensive zone (positionally), does the player make good decisions in the offensive zone (pinching at the right time)

You also need to look at these in terms of the pro game you will be drafting them to, will their style transfer well into a more structured game where they will be playing against guys much much older than themselves....

[myleslong]

IGT has covered most of the criteria used by pro scouts
However,in this day of salary cap,the word"maturity" becomes even more important,what with more top picks being inserted into the big team roster at 18-19 yrs.Maturity can be physical,emotional, behavioral. It seems that the top draft-eligible players appear and act older than their years.both on and off the ice.
Interviews and psychological testing are being given more and more consideration in evaluating talent. That's my $.02 worth for today! GO DOGS!

[GoDogsGo]

here's a question though... does a player need to have a "big" physical presence on the ice... i mean in size. What if a player is 5'2 but plays great...was fast...but not a physical presence... would he be considered.... do you have to be big physically to be a considereation..

look at crosby for example not a "big" kid... he's a young kid...with TONS of money and hype.... will that go to his head...has it already... is he mature for his age...I like the kid.. great hockey player... but i'll tell you when he first started I had my doubts... he was young... impressionable... and rumor has it made some comments that really PISSED off the older guys on the team...I think he was pulled aside and told to cool his jets... which i think he did and now has matured into a great hockey player that will a legend in the future...

[myleslong]

While it will always.I think, be tue that a good big man will beat a good small man every time,the emphasis in the NHL is less and less on size with the new rules, particularly at centre. Briere and St.Louis come to mind immediately. The smaller man has more room on the ice,spends less time and effort fighting off interference.Quickness becomes more important than speed.Big,physical defencemen are less sought after,giving way to mobility and puck movement. I like to use the analogy of non-contact hockey; not to say that the physical game is gone,but it sure ain't what it used to be! GO DOGS!

[GoDogsGo]

not to say that the physical game is gone,but it sure ain't what it used to be! GO DOGS!
well said... it has changed...

[AlphaDog]

I have started this thread not to take away from other threads... I think this is a good topic of discussion as the dogs team have several players that are/should be "draft" eligible..

Hey, by all means - start new threads. We have thousands of replies to threads, but not enough new good topics starting. The threads are good :cool:

[AlphaDog]

here's a question though... does a player need to have a "big" physical presence on the ice... i mean in size. What if a player is 5'2 but plays great...was fast...but not a physical presence... would he be considered.... do you have to be big physically to be a considereation..

look at crosby for example not a "big" kid... he's a young kid...with TONS of money and hype.... will that go to his head...has it already... is he mature for his age...I like the kid.. great hockey player... but i'll tell you when he first started I had my doubts... he was young... impressionable... and rumor has it made some comments that really PISSED off the older guys on the team...I think he was pulled aside and told to cool his jets... which i think he did and now has matured into a great hockey player that will a legend in the future...

Crosby needs a leader to be around him. What he really needed was to play side by side and spend time in the dressing room with Lemieux. He needs a veteran/star to take him under their wing. Hopefully Roberts will show him the ropes, and kick him in the ass when he needs it.

[WellandDogsFan]

Crosby needs a leader to be around him. What he really needed was to play side by side and spend time in the dressing room with Lemieux. He needs a veteran/star to take him under their wing. Hopefully Roberts will show him the ropes, and kick him in the ass when he needs it.
If I am not mistaken, I believe Crosby still lives with Lemieux. I know he did for the first two years...

[GoDogsGo]

If I am not mistaken, I believe Crosby still lives with Lemieux. I know he did for the first two years...
i think i heard that too... i dont know he has moved out yet... but this could be the reason crosby cooled his yapper jets... when your a rookie star... everyone knows your good... you dont have to remind them in the dresing all the time.

[WellandDogsFan]

Something no one has mentioned... Something that really cant be measured. I think the big thing you look for is heart, the desire to play the game and do well. You can take the biggest player, the fastest skater, the hardest shooter, but all those skills dont mean much if you dont have a love for the game or the desire to do well.

[GoDogsGo]

Something no one has mentioned... Something that really cant be measured. I think the big thing you look for is heart, the desire to play the game and do well. You can take the biggest player, the fastest skater, the hardest shooter, but all those skills dont mean much if you dont have a love for the game or the desire to do well.
very true... but at this level of hockey.. dont you think that all do... if they didnt than i dont think that they would be here... sure there are ones that want to get out of it...but something is holding them back...

[WellandDogsFan]

very true... but at this level of hockey.. dont you think that all do... if they didnt than i dont think that they would be here... sure there are ones that want to get out of it...but something is holding them back...
no, actually I dont. What was the guys name that was drafted #1 by the Sens years ago? He was suppose to be the second coming. Had great skills but no heart. He jumped around the league for a number of years but is now out of the NHL (I believe). There are a million players like him out there, great skill set but either no brain or no heart.

[myleslong]

Alexandre Daigle GO DOGS!

[WellandDogsFan]

Alexandre Daigle GO DOGS!
Bingo! Great skill set, no heart.

[GoDogsGo]

so what is holding these guys in the game .. if you have no heart... what is it that your trying to achieve.... know what i mean... I think there has to be something there... your very right... there are tons of these guys..

[WellandDogsFan]

so what is holding these guys in the game .. if you have no heart... what is it that your trying to achieve.... know what i mean... I think there has to be something there... your very right... there are tons of these guys..
Could be anything. could be they owe their agent money from when they borrowed against their future earnings. Could be their parents still are on them to be a professional hockey player. Hockey is all they know so they figure they can play and make money. If money is your only motivating factor then there is a problem.

[GoDogsGo]

If money is your only motivating factor then there is a problem.
very true... i think there are lots of those types of players in the big leagues... it's unfortunate...