52 replies to this topic

[Konnan511]

Sorry, just getting bored of all this awesome 4th line grinder and 6/7th D-Man stuff

My link

Despite the fact that Tatar began and ended the season as the youngest player in a "men's league," the AHL, after spending his previous season in the ECHL-quality Slovak Extraliga: "He's just a very mature kid," Nill said. "Is he eating right? Is he going out partying? There were no issues."

Gah, mod, can you edit my title, I got too type happy!

Edited by Konnan511, 06 June 2010 - 07:18 PM.

[titanium2]

My thinking is that everybody eventually goes through an immature stage. Some just handle it differently. Who knows where Tatar is at this point.

[Jesusberg]

Honestly, I wouldn't even have an issue with Brendan Smith if it didn't happen multiple times. The kid's got tons of talent and it'd be a shame if it got wasted because he got wasted.

[Lidstromboli]

"I want to play North America."

[Drake_Marcus]

There's something to be said for being drafted outside the first round... too many high draft pick kids think they're big s*** before they've even played a game in the NHL. I wish a few more of the first round busts of recent years could sit some of these kids down and tell them that all they've done is get their foot in the door.

Smith has no reason to think he's such hot s***. He's three years past his draft year and hasn't played a single game of NHL hockey. He was considered a shoe in for the top three Hobbey Baker finalists but got snubbed because his defensive game wasn't dominant (although he's definitely improved it each year). Aside from last season he's yet to show us why he was drafted in the 1st.

Smith needs to put up or shut up in the AHL. He should save any arrogance for when he's shown himself to be an elite prospect playing against men.

And for the record-- Tatar has more reason to be cocky than Smith. Tatar was the youngest player in the AHL. He was the first Wings prospect to play in the AHL in his draft year since they started their affiliation with the Griffins. Tatar was a star for his home country at the WJ. What has Smith done aside from last season?

I think Smith has the potential to be a top pairing defenseman but he's got to put some serious muscle on his frame and he's got to show that he has the same top end game against men.

[VM1138]

I've really become skeptical about prospects over the past few years. They have so many issues, are so unpredictable, and people usually vastly overrate them.

Tatar, I have a feeling, isn't going to be one of those. I genuinely think he's on a fast, fast track and has the potential to be Datsyuk or Zetterberg's replacement. I bet if we see him on the ice this season as a callup he'll be a regular for the 2011-12 season. He just seems to be too good to be allowed to "fully mature" in the normal Red Wings way.

[Drake_Marcus]

I've really become skeptical about prospects over the past few years. They have so many issues, are so unpredictable, and people usually vastly overrate them.

Tatar, I have a feeling, isn't going to be one of those. I genuinely think he's on a fast, fast track and has the potential to be Datsyuk or Zetterberg's replacement. I bet if we see him on the ice this season as a callup he'll be a regular for the 2011-12 season. He just seems to be too good to be allowed to "fully mature" in the normal Red Wings way.

You're definitely right. Tatar has the potential to be a first line player if he continues to progress like this. It's pretty rare to excel as an 18 year old in the AHL (especially since this was his first year playing NA hockey and his first time playing a hectic 82 game schedule).

[Echolalia]

I've really become skeptical about prospects over the past few years. They have so many issues, are so unpredictable, and people usually vastly overrate them.

Tatar, I have a feeling, isn't going to be one of those. I genuinely think he's on a fast, fast track and has the potential to be Datsyuk or Zetterberg's replacement. I bet if we see him on the ice this season as a callup he'll be a regular for the 2011-12 season. He just seems to be too good to be allowed to "fully mature" in the normal Red Wings way.

He's certainly the Wings' best shot at replacing one of those two. Next year, I feel will be a better indicator of his future. He's had a full season of NA hockey under his belt and knows what to expect. Hopefully his confidence and experience will take him places that his raw skill couldn't reach in his first season.

[magicaldatsyuk]

isnt he 19? but i agree, from what ive seen tatar looks like he has alot of potential to be a great player in the NHL and im excited to see him progress next year

oh nvm i guess he is 18

Edited by magicaldatsyuk, 06 June 2010 - 10:18 PM.

[Drake_Marcus]

isnt he 19? but i agree, from what ive seen tatar looks like he has alot of potential to be a great player in the NHL and im excited to see him progress next year

oh nvm i guess he is 18

He turned 19 in the middle of last season... so he was 18 when he played his first half (or so) of his rookie AHL season.

[titanium2]

I hope Joakim Andersson will get to be Tatar's linemate next year.

Get Tatar with a good center and then a Franzen-like winger and you got a really good line. Tatar-Ferraro-Nestrasil. The '09 Line!

[Drake_Marcus]

I hope Joakim Andersson will get to be Tatar's linemate next year.

Get Tatar with a good center and then a Franzen-like winger and you got a really good line. Tatar-Ferraro-Nestrasil. The '09 Line!

If you count the Lashoff and Coatzee signings (FA kids taken after the 09 rookie camp... Nill called them "bonus draft picks") the 2009 draft year is looking like a real gem for Detroit. Ferraro has been the biggest disappointment and in all honesty it's highly unlikely he doesn't bounce back this season. I'd be a bit shocked if Ferraro was a bust... it seems like he's got too much talent and character to disappear.

[titanium2]

If you count the Lashoff and Coatzee signings (FA kids taken after the 09 rookie camp... Nill called them "bonus draft picks") the 2009 draft year is looking like a real gem for Detroit. Ferraro has been the biggest disappointment and in all honesty it's highly unlikely he doesn't bounce back this season. I'd be a bit shocked if Ferraro was a bust... it seems like he's got too much talent and character to disappear.

Lashoff was in 08. He got signed along with Raedeke.

In regards to Ferraro, you hope he'll pull it together. Somehow he just naturally has the unconditional support of many Wings fans; maybe because of his blood lines, I'm not sure. But his bad attitude this past year resembled some of the same behavior Brendan Smith used to show in practice and during games.

I think he'll eventually be an NHL player but because he was the first pick of the Red Wings in 09 I think we all expect him to be a sure fire top six player and right now the outlook has fallen fairly significantly from what it used to be. He's got one year left in juniors before he takes a shot at the AHL. Hopefully he plays well.

[Lidstromboli]

examples of Ferraro's bad attitude?

[titanium2]

examples of Ferraro's bad attitude?

He checked out like how Leino did as a Red Wing only it was during the WHL playoffs. By some accounts he tuned out the coach and just floated around game after game until he got healthy scratched. A lot of Rebels fans wanted him out after that. Probably still do.

Edit: Links. Maybe it's no big deal. I'm not sure. Doesn't look good though.

http://www.whlfans.ca/showthread.php?t=21714&highlight=ferraro

http://www.whlfans.ca/showthread.php?t=21720&highlight=ferraro

Edited by titanium2, 07 June 2010 - 01:56 AM.

[Dave Anderson]

If you count the Lashoff and Coatzee signings (FA kids taken after the 09 rookie camp... Nill called them "bonus draft picks") the 2009 draft year is looking like a real gem for Detroit. Ferraro has been the biggest disappointment and in all honesty it's highly unlikely he doesn't bounce back this season. I'd be a bit shocked if Ferraro was a bust... it seems like he's got too much talent and character to disappear.

Don't forget Almqvist.

[toby91_ca]

isnt he 19? but i agree, from what ive seen tatar looks like he has alot of potential to be a great player in the NHL and im excited to see him progress next year

oh nvm i guess he is 18

He'll be 20 later this year.

[Travis]

Do I need to start going to the B.O.B. and to 25 downtown once Smith comes to town to ensure that he's not doing stupid s***?

I'll brave all the flat-billed caps, popped collars and spray tans if I have to.

[Green Wing]

I remember hearing an interview with Tatar last season on the Griffins radio. Although his English wasn't fantastic, he came across as a real good kid with a great sense of humor. It was around the time of the Olympics, and they were asking him about the Slovakian players. He mentioned Chara, and said 'he's a little bit more higher than me, and a little bit more weigher'.

I know you can't tell much from a tiny snippet, but he struck me as having a good head on his shoulders and as someone who will make the best of his situation no matter what it is. I'd guess he'd be a hit with his teammates, too.

Really excited to see how he comes along.

[magicaldatsyuk]

i agree i think hes growing and maturing as a player quickly and i hope within the next 1-2 years he will be on the wings roster