How would Malkin have fared as a rookie if he joined the team in 05/06?

JTG32005 · 08-03-2008, 11:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian Altenbaugh

Remember Jagr as a rookie? He was a really skinny dude too and I am fairly sure at one point during his career he was around 245 pounds.

Huge difference. Jagr was a naturally strong player. He came into this league with probably 2 of the strongest legs this game has ever seen. He was also an inch shorter than Malkin, playing at about 15 lbs heavier. Jagr came into the NHL a tank. As he got older he became a tank of epic proportions.

Luigi Lemieux · 08-04-2008, 09:23 PM

similar to how patrick kane did as a 19 yr old. 70-75 pts. in 06 he played pretty well at the olympics and had a mvp caliber season in the rsl that season. i think he would have done well.

Ian Altenbaugh · 08-05-2008, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jacob

He doesn't have natural strength but he does have good balance and leverage, and his board-work went from somewhat of a weakness in his rookie year to a strength year 2. .

I agree with that analysis but don't you think he looked gassed during the playoffs? I am of the mindset that maybe ten pounds of muscle would maybe help with the battering his body took through out the season and particularly during the stretch drive and playoffs.

Adding weight can be a sticky issue though because as was mentioned, you end up trading off at some point. I think one of Malkin's more underrated parts of his game is his speed. He takes very long strides and glides on the ice more than other players but he is able to burn a guy fairly easily if the need arises.

I think we are all in agreement though that to reach his potential he needs to further increase his strength and conditioning. Agreed? Disagree?

Kinguin · 08-05-2008, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian Altenbaugh

I think we are all in agreement though that to reach his potential he needs to further increase his strength and conditioning. Agreed? Disagree?

I agree.
Crosby is 4 inches shorter and weighs more.
And Geno has the frame to bulk up 10-15 pounds more.
This would help a lot, since teams will target him even more from the next season on. It would be even good for his confidence: knowing that he could better absorb hits, he would play more freely.

JTG32005 · 08-05-2008, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian Altenbaugh

I think we are all in agreement though that to reach his potential he needs to further increase his strength and conditioning. Agreed? Disagree?

I think he can reach his potential without being bigger, but he won't be as dominate as he could be, nor will his body as is probably hold up as long as it should.

Dread Pirate Roberts · 08-05-2008, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JTG32005

I think he can reach his potential without being bigger, but he won't be as dominate as he could be

That's a contradiction right there. If he isn't as dominant as he could be, he hasn't reached his potential.

I agree that adding some strength would improve Malkin's game, but 220 might be a bit much.

Kinguin · 08-05-2008, 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dread Pirate Roberts

I agree that adding some strength would improve Malkin's game, but 220 might be a bit much.

Yep.
210 would be just fine.

JTG32005 · 08-06-2008, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dread Pirate Roberts

That's a contradiction right there. If he isn't as dominant as he could be, he hasn't reached his potential.

I agree that adding some strength would improve Malkin's game, but 220 might be a bit much.

His potential is that of a top 10 forward in the NHL. If he bulked up he could be in the top 5 without question. That is what I mean, though I can see how you would think it's contradictory.

Champagne Wishes · 08-06-2008, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JTG32005

His potential is that of a top 10 forward in the NHL. If he bulked up he could be in the top 5 without question. That is what I mean, though I can see how you would think it's contradictory.

That's selling him short. He's reached his potential by your definition - difficult to leave a Hart candidate and 2nd leading scorer out of the "top 5 NHL forwards".

His highest potential, really, is to be the best player in the league and a force both offensively and defensively. Jean Beliveau.

JTG32005 · 08-07-2008, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doctordark

That's selling him short. He's reached his potential by your definition - difficult to leave a Hart candidate and 2nd leading scorer out of the "top 5 NHL forwards".

His highest potential, really, is to be the best player in the league and a force both offensively and defensively. Jean Beliveau.

It isn't selling him short yet because we have no idea how he is going to perform this upcoming season. If he can string another season on like the one he just had, I am wrong of my assessment. I think he will be a constant top 10 player in the league. Top 5 is a strong possibility, but I don't think it's a foregone conclusion.

Champagne Wishes · 08-08-2008, 01:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JTG32005

It isn't selling him short yet because we have no idea how he is going to perform this upcoming season. If he can string another season on like the one he just had, I am wrong of my assessment. I think he will be a constant top 10 player in the league. Top 5 is a strong possibility, but I don't think it's a foregone conclusion.

"Strong possibility" does not equal "potential". He is, right now, a top 5 forward in the league. His potential is at least equal to his accomplishments at age 21, because he's already done it.