It's optimism yes, but earned optimism. I watched Otto / MDC play great hockey last season in the A. Otto showing great promise his first year playing center and in North America.
MDC, showing HUGE improvement after 2 sub par season in the A. This past season his development took a huge leap forward and his skating / pace is on another level now.
If MDC was drafted in the 6th round in 2014 everyone would view his position differently. "Oh he had a great year in the A last season, put up huge PPG numbers in 34 AHL games, AHL all star, forced his way into the isles roster, 3 GWG, defensively responsible, young only 23."
Instead many choose to focus on his draft status. "Yea but he was drafted 5th overall, he hasn't done what we all expected"
It's all a matter of how you choose to look at it. I know what I saw last season from both. I don't pay attention to draft status.