Hen Kolland
Registered User
- Feb 22, 2018
- 9,505
- 8,427
Kasper is a tough one because I really like his make-up, really like his game. He's the type of guy who when I watch him I think, as a hockey player, "man, I want to play on that guy's line." He has the traits I appreciate in the sport. And when I saw him last Saturday, he looked realgud.
Still, it's fair to call into question his ultimate upside because, let's be honest, his offensive numbers have never jumped off the page at any level. To me, his potential looks like either a driver of a 3rd-line, or a complementary top-6 piece. And I get that, as an 8th overall pick, that will be a disappointment to some. Personally, I think that's still pretty good, if he's providing real value in that role.
I can see a scenario where you have him and/or Mazur as (and I may deserve to be skewered for using this term) the piano-pullers on lines 1 and/or 2. Guys with enough skill to hang and mesh with more offensive players on their lines, but who are going to motor around, do some dirty work, agitate the other team. Force multipliers if you will.
What you are describing is "if we drafted Tyler Bertuzzi 2.0 in the top 10, would people be upset" and the answer is probably yes, but they also will forget how much impact Bertuzzi had for us in the top 6 and how influential his play was for Boston in the playoffs last year.
Will Kasper achieve that peak level, I have my doubts, but could he be what Bertuzzi has been for Toronto this year, I think that's entirely reasonable. A little more than half a point per game, play a hard nosed game along the boards and in front of the net. Score some ugly goals, finish some checks, wash some faces, get some late pokes in on the goalie, most importantly, give some two handers to your enemies like Bert did to Marchand last night.