Legends Being Made - Forward Edition
by burgundyRainbow on Nov 11, 2011 11:24 AM MST
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My first FanPost! As I watched the incredible come-from-behind performance by our beloved Avs last night, I couldn't help but to think back on other great Av performances. Which also made me think of past Av greats. Forsberg. Sakic. Roy. As I watch our current team, I can't help but think that we have several guys right now who will either match or overtake past legends. So I decided to do a comparison and chart their courses. Let's start today with our forwards. More after the jump (my first jump!):
Stastny - Has the vision and passing capability of Forsberg, but probably has more goal scoring potential. I can see him eventually becoming better than Forsberg, if he isn't already there.
Duchene - Has the quickness and speed of Sakic. Seems to be trying to play more like Forsberg, but when he adjusts his game, he will completely replace, and surpass Super Joe. And as much as I love Super Joe, I don't think it will even be close.
Jones - Has a knack for big goals (even though he actually didn't score last night's), similar to Sakic. But also is more of a power forward, in the mold of Claude Lemieux. Also is finally showing some sandpaper and grit, like Claude, so I can see him replacing him in his role.
Lindstrom - Has all of the skill, the hands, and the offensive tenacity to eventually replace a living legend still on the Av roster, Milan Hejduk. I can see him racking up over 40 goals in several straight seasons once his adjustment to the NHL is complete.
O'Reilly - I'm having a hard time thinking of anyone on past teams to compare him to. He is that good. Mark my words, he will one day be remembered as the best two-way center in the history of the franchise. What he is doing out there on the ice already is astounding, given his age and experience.
Landeskog - 18? 18? What can I say? He will be, when it is all said and done, the best power forward to ever proudly wear the A. His level of play is already unreal. I can see several Hart trophys, Conn Smythes, and plenty of other hardware in his future. He will be, in a sense, Sakic and Forsberg combined, but in a power forward on the wing.
Galiardi - I'm really not sure why the last few years have been so bumpy for this guy. What I saw last night was someone willing to take the body, with plenty of speed and skill, and who also has enough talent to contribute offensively. I see him replacing Adam Deadmarsh.
Kobasew - Did everyone see him generate that incredible chance on the short handed breakaway last night? Or what about his wraparound goal a little while back? On any other team, he'd be logging first line minutes and racking up goals. I see him as Kamensky, but with a little bit more grit and toughness. But the skill is certainly there.
I could go on, because I'm sure the other forwards would also be flourishing on a less talented roster, but this is probably enough. I really don't understand all of the negativity surrounding this group lately, and would welcome opinions on this!
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Burgundy -
Don’t change. Your constant, completely unsupported, unnaturally optimistic claims make my day just a little brighter. You’re sunnier than Sunnyside! After last year, we needed someone to hand out the koolaid – you’re the perfect guy for the job.
I give this a rec and a Kool-aid stamp of approval.
Just a Colorado girl in Montana who ♥s the Avs.
Varly: you're awesome. We love you. Please don't break.
I rec'd this because
everyone loves Kobasew, right?
Colorado College Hockey, Colorado Avalanche, Colorado Rockies fan to the death.
"We should be dreaming. We grew up as kids having dreams, but now we're too sophisticated as adults, as a nation. We stopped dreaming. We should always have dreams." -Herb Brooks
Defense???
you didn’t mention any of our future Hall of Fame defensemen….I hope you write another fanpost dedicated to them….keep up the fantastic work and am looking forward to your future posts…..
"Hey man, don't bogart that puck."
So you’re saying Galiardi will one day be an overweight assistant coach?
Whiskey tends to make me high, and sad songs make me cry. Pretty women break my heart almost every night. I run on beans and nicotine; I'm a real, live buckaroo. And my heart's not pure, my boots ain't clean, and I never tell the truth.
Yeah, what he ^^ said! :-D
"They called tripping!? Where did THAT happen?"
"On the ice."
".........my...brain hurts...."
by StoneCutter013 on Nov 12, 2011 5:00 PM MST via mobile up reply actions
I agree with everyone except really Stastny. He has great goal scoring potential and will be more reliable than Foppa (meaning injury wise) but I just don’t see the drive as much in him. I think the two people who have the greatest chance to really become true franchise legends are Matt Duchene and Gabriel Landeskog, with O’Reilly quickly gaining ground in that category. The reason is simple; they have a drive to win and they have a drive to play. They make plays out of nothing and put their heart into every game. Even when they have an off night you sit there wondering why no one else seems to skate with the passion they do. In regards to this too, while I do love Dutchy, I really think Landeskog has even more potential in terms of passion. I’ve never seen a kid play for every second of ice time he gets. He’ll make mistakes but it just doesn’t rattle him quite simply.
Yup...
Are they not already legends yet?
Spoon!!!!!!!!
by An Unmitigated Disaster on Nov 14, 2011 2:02 PM MST reply actions
I wish I could buy into this, but I simply do not have the required amount of prescription meds to get high. I realize you’re being optimistic here but I have 20 minutes to kill at work.
Sakic, Forsberg, Roy. We’re talking 3 of the top 20 players to EVER play in the NHL. There isn’t a single player on todays roster that will finish their career in this category.
I’ll start with what made me chuckle a little bit.
Kobasew. We won’t even go there. This should destroy all credibility but since it’s all in fun…I hope….
Lindstrom. Will not be in the league in 11/12.
Now for the less…insane.
Duchene. The sky is the limit for this kid, however he is small and while he is not even 21 yet, has proven to be streaky and except for a few moments (Vancouver to clinch playoff spot), has scored not many big game goals. I think he has top 20 in scoring every season potential. But he will not be putting up 100pt+ seasons and surpassing Super Joe. Duchene will consistantly put up between 60-80pts a season throughout his career. Unless he can find consistency to his game and appear to emerge like say Phil Kessel is right now, he will fall right into the 60-80pts bracket. Is there anything wrong with a 30g 40a player? Not really – but not the same impact as a Sakic.
Stastny. Now here is a weird player. Poor skater, actually a really poor skater. But he sees the game well and his timing makes up for his skating. This is a guy who would benefit from taking an entire off season to break down his stride and get to work on his cross overs, he often looks like a peewee who is fighting to stay on his feet at times. He has great hands, he knows where the puck needs to be and he is an excellent play maker, maybe the best passer next to Forsberg. However Forsbergs skating ability will forever be the difference maker between the two. Stastny is still one of the best play makers in the game and will only get better with age, but Forsberg is among the best ever. Sure is a lofty comparison…and I can’t drink this Kool-Aid. Looks like a lemon flavour. As for scoring, Forsberg had a way underrated shot. Just check out his highlights. Stastny? Does not have this skill. He’s not bad, but again…not Forsberg, by a couple (hundred) miles.
Jones. Okay, I don’t mind this one much. Claude was among the grittiest players in the league during his time. Jones has 1 fight and has one minor scar on his face. He does not play the same game or style. Nothing is stopping Jones from being more physical. I think he is a player who still has untapped potential. When Jones is playing well, he is hard to take off the puck, he has an ability to blow by defenders with his ridiculously powerful strides and he can still make the play regardless of how the puck lays on the ice. This is probably my favorite part of his game. So many players need the puck laying flat, or need the perfect pass or need some space. Jones will stuff it with the puck bouncing, on edge, in your feet or bouncing off the boards.
Landeskog. It’s way too early to compare him to anyone or to have any expectations. However everything he’s shown on the ice has been encouraging. All I will say is, he will be good. How good is up to him to decide.
Galiardi This is a frustrating player. He played well enough to stay on the team, but he was a monster in the Sharks series. He was off to a great start last season until he broke his hand. He has never been the same since. I sure hope he is saving every penny from his latest contract, because I’m not sure where he will end up when it expires. I’d bet he feels the same way.
O’Reilly This kid is the real deal. He has a compete level that I don’t think ANY Avalanche player has ever had. Yes, I think he surpasses Forsberg, Sakic and Roy. He’s not even 21 yet. He reminds me so much of this old guy who recently retired after winning his last Cup. Mark Recchi. Someone who plays his guts out every single shift, you know, the player who pukes before & after every game. But I think O’Reilly has better hands & a better ability to score than Recchi. O’Reilly is still growing as a player. He’s not going to be a 90pt player, but he is going to be that 60-70pt player who plays every aspect of the game right and will be Captain of this team.
Okay, I have to get to work. Bye.
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