I'm not sure how often he has used the "young" excuse, but I agree - that is the bed you make when you recruit the USNDTP kids.
I will be very interested to see how well these drafted kids do in the NHL, as I will then feel better about judging how far this team should have gone. While it is not an excuse for how your team does, there is the reality that these "younger" kids, as good as they are projected to be, are not there yet. Some will get there, some will do well, some may never get there.
- Keller clearly has the offensive skills, and for all I know, he might step right in and put up 60 points for the Yotes next year. But I see him easily neutralized by physical defensemen, and I think it is possible he won't have immediate success
- Greenway looked like a beast ready to play in the NHL at the WJCs but against older competition he hasn't been the same dominant force. I think he is one year away from being an NHL regular - whether that is at BU of the AHL, remains to be seen.
- JFK needs another year in my opinion. His play has been too inconsistent. I love his game but like Greenway, I think he needs a year (at least) before he is in the NHL.
- Fabbro is definitely NHL material IMHO, but he needs a couple more years.
- McAvoy could use another year, but my guess is that the Bruins will want to get him signed regardless. He'll get some looks in Boston, but may have to spend some time in Providence.
- Bellows - needs at least a couple years, to say the least. Perhaps he will have a Drury-like transition from freshman to sophomore year (12 goals to 36 I believe). But that looks like a long shot at this point.
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