Quoting: STLBlues17
That just seems like a redundant argument. Obviously if he’s 22 and can’t stay in the NHL he’ll be traded or waived, but his production at every level would say that that’s probably not likely. Obviously some players tear up the AHL and go on to be busts, but not many are doing it at age 20. Sure it happened to Sprong, but he was a one-tool, supplemental player with a bad attitude and really was never considered a top prospect like Kyrou was/is. Pretty much all of the trustworthy prospect people have had him I’m their top 25 prospects going into the year. So yes, if Kyrou keeps playing bad in his call-ups for the next two years, the Blues will trade him, but the eye test and numbers say that won’t happen.
I love how people say someone they never met has a bad attitude. Or how a player with a great shot and smooth skating skill was a one tool player. I mean really did you see those games Kyrou was in at the NHL level. If Sprong was a 1 tool player, he didn't have a single tool in his box.
At some point you have to stop reading click bait. He's a 2nd round pick. 34 other picks passed him by, that isn't a top prospect. Every year there are 30 players drafted in the first round. At some point the wore out over used phrase of top prospect by every writer trying to hype up players for a fan base is just old. It's like listening to Mel Kiper talk about how every player drafted in the 4th round is a 1st round talent. But he's a "draft expert." Dear Diary, no one cares. If he was that high of a prospect he'd been picked earlier and be doing something with it by now. But he wasn't.
And yes, when you are drafted the expectation is to come into the AHL and play well at 20. You know, that's exactly how you get promoted up. It's not come to the AHL and take your time. But it doesn't mean if you do that you will do anything once you get to the NHL. Funny thing about the NHL. Unlike the CHL which is filled with kids who will never lace up again, and the AHL, which is filled with mostly with guys who will never make it to the NHL. In the NHL the majority of the players are just as fast and talented as everyone else. You can no longer get by on just pure talent unless you are like top 5 draft player. Seems lots of people don't realize that. That why all the Mel Kiper "top prospects" never really pan out there for some "crazy" reason. But they look really well playing against those Will O'Neill or Kevin Czuczman's of the AHL. Gee what a surprise they can score on them! Give them a medal for scoring on the Tom Sesstito's of the AHL.