Jessiman returns vs. Harvard

[calgARI '07]

Speaking of overrated, how unimpressed have other people been with Shawn Weller?  The guy is astronomically overrated.  I have no clue how he played in the WJC's.  The guy has 2 goals and 8 assists this year.  He has good size and skates pretty well, but doesn't do anything.  Very overrated.

[Josh '99]

[Q]calgARI '07 Wrote:
Sorry, but gotta disagree with you on that one.  Higgins is one of the purest offensive players I've seen at this level.  [/q]Jessiman is purely offensive too.  (By which I mean he's soft on defense.  :-P)

[RichS]

I think it's a bit early to say that.  He got a late start, then missed games while at the WJC and also with an injury IIRC.  And of course, cornell never had anyone who was "overrated", eh?  ::rolleyes::

[calgARI '07]

I could name a couple players on the current team who are overrated, but none of these guys have the amazing reputation that Weller has somehow earned.

[RichS]

Time will tell because some guys take a bit longer adjusting to the college game.  I've seen that often the past 30+ years.  But perhaps you should place a call to the Ottawa Senators to let them know of their folly.  After all, they made a trade to be able to draft him last year.

If memory serves correctly, Weller played with the Capital District Selects and from all reports. he earned his reputation honestly.  But no one ever said he'd be a huge point scorer.  He's more of the gritty, power forward type.

[calgARI '07]

Well I don't really know of any forwards in the NHL who weren't big point producers in college or major juniors.  I can assure you that the Senators are not pleased with his production so far in his college career, but at the same time, know that it takes some guys longer to adjust than others.  

[adamw]

Ari ... That's not really true.  Power forwards often take longer to develop.  There are plenty of guys who weren't big point producers right away.  Mike Grier had 18 points in 39 games as a freshman at BU, with a much better supporting cast.  John LeClair had issues.  There are others.  I firmly believe Shane Hynes will be a tremendous pro, and his numbers haven't been spectacular (though better than Weller's).  Part of the that is the era and the system.

Weller's biggest problem is his undisciplined penalties - but that's not a secret.  It's just too soon to say.

[RichS]

I'm interested in hearing how you're "assured" at the Senators' disappointment.

[calgARI '07]

[Q]adamw Wrote:

 Ari ... That's not really true.  Power forwards often take longer to develop.  There are plenty of guys who weren't big point producers right away.  Mike Grier had 18 points in 39 games as a freshman at BU, with a much better supporting cast.  John LeClair had issues.  There are others.  I firmly believe Shane Hynes will be a tremendous pro, and his numbers haven't been spectacular (though better than Weller's).  Part of the that is the era and the system.

Weller's biggest problem is his undisciplined penalties - but that's not a secret.  It's just too soon to say.



Edited 1 times. Last edit at 02/28/05 12:21AM by adamw.[/q]

To clarify, I meant that there are no forwards that made the NHL who did not have at least one big season point-wise.  Of course one bad year points-wise does not spell the end for Weller, but my point is that his production has been pretty bad.  It isn't just power forwards that struggle to make the adjustment of course.  Mathieu Beaudoin (a forward who chose Ohio State over Cornell) is a good example at Ohio State.  He struggled offensively last year but has been outstanding this year.  And then there is much-maligned Adam Pineault of Boston College.  He couldn't do anything last year a freshman but has been really good in the QMJHL this year.  I call Weller overrated in that I haven't seen much at all from him in the WJC's or the two games I have seen him for Clarkson.  He could develop into a great player fulfilling the hype, but playing with good offensive players in an offensive role and getting signficant powerplay minutes hasn't led to production.  Hynes played in a similar role as a freshman, playing with upperclassmen in an offensive role and on the second powerplay and was able to put up good numbers.  Of course that was a much better team than Clarkson is this year, but Weller still has produced nearly nothing.  Aside from that, I haven't seen much in the games I have seen him.  Again, he could still make it, but for now, I'm gonna say he's overrated.
RichS, I'm gonna go out on a limb and say the Senators expected a lot more even as a freshman from a player as hyped as he was (to the point where they would trade to a position where they could select him) given the responsibilities he has been given.  They obviously haven't given up on him as a freshman, but that doesn't change the fact that they are potentially disappointed with his development to this point.

[RichH]

[Q]calgARI '07 Wrote:

RichH, I'm gonna go out on a limb and say the Senators expected a lot more even as a freshman from a player as hyped as he was (to the point where they would trade to a position where they could select him) given the responsibilities he has been given.  They obviously haven't given up on him as a freshman, but that doesn't change the fact that they are potentially disappointed with his development to this point.[/q]

You addressed the wrong Rich.  Maybe you're confused because RichS actually made it through a post here without using the rolleyes smiley.

[calgARI '07]

My bad.  Corrected now.

[French Rage]

My beef with Higgins is that a co-POTY should be able to get his byte-team into Albany, and not lost at home.  Giving him co-POTY with LeNeveu was a joke.

[Josh '99]

[Q]RichH Wrote:
You addressed the wrong Rich.  Maybe you're confused because RichS actually made it through a post here without using the rolleyes smiley.[/q]But he did jump in to defend all things Clarkson, just like always.

[Dart~Ben]

[Q]French Rage Wrote:

 My beef with Higgins is that a co-POTY should be able to get his byte-team into Albany, and not lost at home.  Giving him co-POTY with LeNeveu was a joke.[/q]

Teams are voted on before the playoffs ever start.

[RichS]

That's not accurate.  I've been very critical of Clarkson's play as well as the administration (re: the Morris situation, most notably!)  I do defend my alma mater when appropriate....you object  to that?

OTOH, when is the last time you didnt defend cornell?  Just wondering.