Hopefully KD learns not to bring players up to the NHL before they’re ready. KK did improve a bit last year but he’s still a ways off from being an NHL player. His weaknesses coming out of junior were his defensive play, his physical size and strength and his tentativeness with physical play. Defense would have been better learned in junior. His lack of strength and weight should have been addressed in junior then the minors. The only advantage of bringing him up last season was to get him used to the physical play. Size and strength will take whatever time his body is ready. He needs work on his defensive play and he has to learn not to panic when he’s being lined up for a hit.
- paulr
It's tough for most of these guys to build muscle in the CHL. They play way too many games and travel way too much. That's why you see more mature players coming out of the NCAA. Yes they're a few years older but they also play fewer games and have the time to hit the weights and recover.
Most of the players coming out of there are very skinny, except for some of the lil guys who know they have to be fire hydrants like Bedard or Debrincat.
Most good NCAA programs have excellent strength and nutrition resources as well.
He just needs to play. Jack Hughes was rubbish his first two years until he wasn't. That's the learning curve.