Pokuluk = Martin Skoula?

[Cisco]

In response to the weekly editorial question about Pokuluk I will throw this out. He reminds me a lot of Colorado Avalanche defenseman Martin Skoula.

If any of you follow the Avs (my team) you'll know that Skoula was a tall, somewhat lanky skilled puck handler who was drafted first round becuase of size/skill.

Just like Pokuluk, he very rarely used his body. Becuase of the lack of physical play, occasional mistakes, and lack of outstanding offense, he became the team goat and got traded.

I think Pokuluk may be even better, skill wise, than Skoula, but has a strikingly similar physical build and lack of physical play. Both players are very tall, but don't look big, they are lanky. Pokuluk could develop into a more physical D man, and then would surpass the mediocre status of Skoula.

Regardless of physical play, he will be drafted first round, as teams are very willing to chance skilled and tall D men - betting that they may develop into a more physical player.

I hope to see Sasha start this development here at Cornell and become a potential top 4 D man in the NHL once he graduates. I think he's got the potential, but just needs a bit of time.

On that note, I think we may all be over-judging his physical proclivities based on this Frosh campaign. If I were in Pokuluk's skates, I"d lay off the physical play for a little while and make sure my fundamental game is solid. Making a mistake as a D man is much worse than not making a check. I think many commentators fail to realize the risks involved in hitting. It's exciting, it helps your team, but it also gets you into trouble. I'm saying he may be more physical than we realize - my hope at least.

[KeithK]

Remember also that Pokoluk is only 18 years old.  He should naturally put on weight and muscle over the next several years, esp. with the teams conditioning program.

[calgARI '07]

Too early to compare the two.  Skoula is one of the most overrated players in the NHL and Lacroix seemed to realize that trading him to Anaheim last year.  Skoula is pathetically soft for someone his size.  He has DECENT offensive skills, but those are also overrated.  Pokuluk, when he has filled out, which he will in the next couple years, will be bigger and stronger, and has a higher offensive ceiling.  Skoula has a more natural skating stride though and is a bit quicker but Pokuluk will certainly get quicker.

[Cisco]

I agree with much of yoru comment. I hope that Pokuluk does fill out.

My point was more that Pokuluk needs to become physical if he is to make it in the NHL. I think he'll get drafted regardless, and whoever drafts him will be banking that he doesn't become Skoula.

Skoula was overrated, but he also came up to the NHL at 18, didn't develop in college. I love Pokuluk, and was not trying to demean him by comparason, but merely point out that I think he could be an even better frist round D pick than Skoula was. (despite being overrated, Skoula was and is a respectable D man in the bigs)