Rush, why are you surprised at Siegenthaler's drastic improvement. His entire NHL career to date consists of 63 games; he's still well within "his rookie season." It isn't fair to expect guys like him to come into the league as finished products. If nothing else, it takes a certain amount of time to acclimate oneself to the faster tempo of the NHL. And it's a commonly understood that defensemen take more time to adjust than forwards.
Not every promising defensive prospect turns out like Bowey.
Hey Black! Good to hear from you.
I agree with you that we should still view Ziggy as a rookie!👍
When I first read your post, I was asking myself, “What did I write in my comments about Ziggy, that made me sound as if I was SURPRISED?” and also, “How am I coming off as though I expect rookies to come into the league, as finished products?”
So I went back and reviewed my former post. I can see, now, how it may come off as me, sounding surprised, because I start with the phrase, “Can’t believe”. that, COULD, come off as sounding surprised!
For the sake of clarity, Black, I’m not actually surprised. More accurately would be the word, AMAZED, and was the idea I was trying to convey! AMAZED, and HAPPY, at how quickly, and comprehensively he has progressed, relative to the law of averages!
I also agree with your contrast with Bowey!👍
For clarity again, however, I absolutely DO NOT expect new guys, coming into the NHL, to enter into the game as, “finished products”! Frankly, Black, I don’t know where you got that one from.
On the contrary, I usually try, purposely, in fact, to NOT give in to expectations when new guys come into the league!
Every year, before the NHL season starts, the airwaves are full of sports casters that go on endlessly, bloviating about the potential, both up and down, for the new prospects coming into the league. I rarely watch them, as over the years, I’ve come to find that these guys don’t know any better, really, than the average hockey fan, as both groups seem to have about the same rate of accuracy, in their predictions....ABOUT 50/50!!😂🤣 or even WORSE!
Because of this, I generally prefer not to have any expectations, but simply to observe with my own eyes, as those who are successful, will float to the top, generally beginning to attract attention to themselves, by their excellent play on the ice!
All the while, the overwhelming majority of the other newcomers, will eventually sink into oblivion, with the rest of those who can’t make the cut! In other words, I adopt a more, wait and see approach, along the lines of the famous phrase, “what will be will be”!.....AFTER THAT, I may start to form a few expectations on a player!
By not giving in, to forming expectations, on the new guys, in advance of proven performance, I find this a very efficient process for the brain, when trying to sort out the pertinent issues of all things NHL hockey! At least, it works for me, personally!
Finally, Black, I also agree with you that defensemen, generally take a longer time to mature, than offensemen!
Either way it’s good to know that we both enjoy having Ziggy back there, boosting our defensive capabilities!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you, Black!
Rush