Pokulok - Hockey's Future

[redGrinch]

Summaries of all the Caps NCAA players, including Pokulok.  I had forgotten how many college players the Caps had.  The article also reinforces the idea that Sasha will be in Ithaca 4 years, unless he wants out.  Though I guess it also doesn't consider Joe Nieuwendyk a "high-caliber" NHL talent.  

I guess for all those worried about Pokulok and O'Byrne leaving early - Doug Murray was a 2-time all-American (yes, he was an 8th round pick, but he was proving himself in the NCAAs) and he stuck around all 4 years.... Pokulok and O'Byrne haven't even been all-ECAC.

http://www.hockeysfuture.com/article.php?sid=8273&mode=threaded&order=0

[Trotsky]

The draft pick number is probably the operative factor, though.  If nothing else, the internal politics of the Caps organization might dictate that Sasha move into the minor pros to justify someone recommending him as their first pick.

But the best thing going for him staying four years is where the Caps are going -- as in: nowhere, fast.  There's no reason to rush him.  They are just one final piece away from becoming a crappy team, rather than a really crappy team.

[cbuckser]

Another thing to keep in mind is that Ryan O'Byrne and Sasha Pokulok are better skaters than Doug Murray was at similar points in their college careers.  If Doug Murray had been a better skater in college, he would have been much more likely to sign a professional contract before completing his senior season.

[mjh89]

The Hockey Future people write a lot of stuff that doesn't make sense, or in other cases is just downright wrong. That being said, this article seems pretty accurate. I'd be surprised to see Pokulok back next year.

[calgARI '07]

[quote cbuckser]Another thing to keep in mind is that Ryan O'Byrne and Sasha Pokulok are better skaters than Doug Murray was at similar points in their college careers.  If Doug Murray had been a better skater in college, he would have been much more likely to sign a professional contract before completing his senior season.[/quote]

The skating is an important factor but so are the two inches.  They absolutely salivate over size in the NHL and being 6'5 has a much different appeal to NHL execs than being 6'2 or 6'3 - whatever Murray is.