Re: All things Denver XXVI: From Boonetown to Motown
Pettinger - I wouldn't put him into that group as his leaving early was mid-season and that just shouldn't happen. It's not like he jumped to even the AHL either.
Rycroft - It took a couple of AHL seasons for him to even dress for St Louis as a 4th liner. He could have easily stayed at DU for his senior season/captaincy and probably still cracked an NHL lineup in the same timeframe.
Butler/Bozak - I can see your argument here. However, they still needed to "season" a bit. I don't know if it would have really been a detriment to them to have stayed, but they did not make a bad decision either. I will defer to your assessment.
I was more just referring to the 2 guys who obviously came out and immediately contributed at a high level with their prospective clubs. I have just always felt that if a player were to leave early that they be able to contribute at that high level immediately. A year (or whatever) in the AHL vs an extra year in college is not going to hinder a player's ability to be an NHL'er if they really are that good, especially with the coaching that DU has to offer. Just my opinion...
Guys who made the right decision (more than a handful of NHL games)
Pettinger
Rycroft
Stastny
Butler
Carle
Bozak
Guys who made a wrong decison (a taste of the NHL or no NHL)
Dingle
Paukovich
Seabrook
Fast
Skinner
Not Sure/Too soon to tell:
Trotter
Pettinger - I wouldn't put him into that group as his leaving early was mid-season and that just shouldn't happen. It's not like he jumped to even the AHL either.
Rycroft - It took a couple of AHL seasons for him to even dress for St Louis as a 4th liner. He could have easily stayed at DU for his senior season/captaincy and probably still cracked an NHL lineup in the same timeframe.
Butler/Bozak - I can see your argument here. However, they still needed to "season" a bit. I don't know if it would have really been a detriment to them to have stayed, but they did not make a bad decision either. I will defer to your assessment.
I was more just referring to the 2 guys who obviously came out and immediately contributed at a high level with their prospective clubs. I have just always felt that if a player were to leave early that they be able to contribute at that high level immediately. A year (or whatever) in the AHL vs an extra year in college is not going to hinder a player's ability to be an NHL'er if they really are that good, especially with the coaching that DU has to offer. Just my opinion...