Quoting: exo2769
As far as the Hockey IQ goes. What about being in the right place at the right time? That got a goal. What about his net front presence...something the Hawks missed dearly last year. What about his board play that winning the puck vs Stastny? That allowed for Kane's attempt that was saved only because Flower was playing amazing. I agree that he looked slow. I agree that his positioning was always the best. I agree that he missed clearing the puck a few times, but the grading scale we're working with is VERY steep. and I mean not even Toews/Kane are going to get passing grades. He's a high school kid, on his 2nd game, while having missed training camp.
Now let me be clear...I don't think he should stay more than 9 games. Don't waste that year, but he's playing in the NHL against good talent. The comp to Turcotte is not apples to apples. The Badgers have something like 4-5 1st roudners and are playing the Merrimacks and British Columbias of the world. NOT the Vegas Golden Knights and the Washington Capitals.
Quoting: CrazyK04
Do you think that is something he can learn? Can he get faster?
I’ll start with the speed question. In all honesty, he could, but the question Is actually whether or not he wants to. I know that’s a weird answer, but I’ll put it this way. Dach has always been the biggest guy on the ice. It’s his advantage and it’s how he thrived for years. Now he’s in a league where the team who drafted him doesn’t necessarily care that he’s slow. If anything, they just care that he’s a big body with good hands. He may eventually get stronger and into an actual two way player, but that may be years off. I still don’t think he’ll ever be 1C caliber, I have him at 2C tops, but he’s gonna be the hawks 1C cuz it’s what ownership is gonna dictate. Speed wise, he could, but I just don’t think they see it as a priority. If they did, they wouldn’t have drafted him, cuz he was probably thee slowest forward of the first round.
As for hockey IQ, this is tough. I’m gonna put it this way. Was he in the right place for the goal, you bet. Kudos kiddo. Also, thanks maatta for whatever you trying to do on that play. Did he make the play that led to Kane’s chance, sure thing. Kudos kiddo. Net front presence, I mean I guess, but even Andrew Shaw at 5’11’’ is better at it than him (I get it, he’s 18). But, then there’s the flip side. Did he do bad in his own end, yes he did. Kudos kiddo. Did Lehner hail mistakes of his, amongst others, yes he did. Kudos kiddo. Where his hockey IQ really gets a knock from me though is influence. What I mean by this is how does he influence those around him? In a word, nil. Dach is not a guy that makes others around him better, others make him better. In fact, you can through speed into this argument too. At his peak potential, dach doesn’t look like a player who commands a game. Kane does. Hughes will. Turcotte will. Toews did in his prime. Kakko, on the other hand, actually doesn’t, he needs line mates that make him even better. Same with guys like laine. Yes, he’s 18. However, he is a third overall pick being trusted to play in the NHL. I didn’t choose that. Exo, you didn’t choose that. Bowman did though, and his job depends on it. The point I’m making, is that Dach needs a cast around him to make him better. His hockey IQ is such that he can’t dictate a game on his own. He doesn’t see the game the way Hughes or turcotte do. But because he was the 3rd overall selection, I will continue to rake his feet over the coals cuz that’s the expectation Stan Bowman placed on him. I may never like this kid, but I can respect him, but that has to be earned. Hockey IQ is knowing that if you can’t deke through someone, you skate it wide and bring your teammates into the play. Hockey IQ is covering your player in your own zone. Hockey IQ is knowing that when your sat for the ENTIRE second period, a message is maybe being sent. Hockey IQ means correcting your mistakes the second they happen. Yes, he’s 18.
Lastly, the turcotte comparison. Hate to tell everyone but turcotte is freakin sick. Don’t think for one second that he’s not a future 1C. Turcotte is the antithesis to Dach. He’s fast, aggressive, great vision, and is built like Sidney Crosby. Now, of course, because he wanted to go to college, Stan took a pass on him. However, while he may be in college and not playing the knights or caps, he will be far better ready for the NHL in a year or two than Dach. That’s because he makes others around him better, his hockey IQ is remarkable. Not to mention he gets stronger, faster, and oh btw he is a great two way forward. So in this regard, yes, it’s actually apples to oranges. But boy oh boy is turcotte gonna have fun making us regret not taking him.