Thread: Hickey & Zatkoff AHL All Stars

Hickey, Zatkoff named AHL All-Stars « LA Kings Insider

Trade bernier!!!!

wasn't someone the other day trying to argue with me about Hickey?

this is what happens when you pull up stat websites to frame your arguments.

Originally Posted by gescom

wasn't someone the other day trying to argue with me about Hickey?

this is what happens when you pull up stat websites to frame your arguments.

I blame fantasy hockey.

Originally Posted by darby

I blame fantasy hockey.

and video games.


i mean the guy has the best plus/minus on the team and is 6th overall in the AHL - 4th among defenseman... and Tyler Sloan shouldn't count because he's like 61-years old.

Originally Posted by gescom

wasn't someone the other day trying to argue with me about Hickey?

this is what happens when you pull up stat websites to frame your arguments.

Never let facts get in the way of a good argument!

Hickey is great....at playing in the AHL.

Originally Posted by darby

I blame fantasy hockey.

Fantasy hockey is a huge part of it, but I think that the 2003 draft and the new CBA REALLY brought out this instant gratification crowd.

First of all, with 2003, and virtually every first round pick having a respectable at worst NHL career so far, people automatically feel that if the 2003 draft class can be as impactful as they are so soon after the draft (Hugh Jessiman and Brian Boyle were the only two first round picks who had not played an NHL game by the end of the 2006 calendar year), then EVERY first round pick should be able to do so.

Secondly, with the new CBA (and the lockout), there was a very large influx of young talent, spanning the 2004 and 2005 draft, who were able to come in and show up as stars... particularly with Ovechkin, Malkin, and Crosby being such young superstars. These are players you wanted to lock up long term, as such, you wanted to make sure your investment is worthwhile, and that these players performed exceptionally even at a young age. That, and people automatically assume that a fourth overall should be a superstar very quickly.

People are just spoiled with the resurgence of young talent, in part because the CBA (read: cap era) strongly rewards the teams who spot the young talent and invest in them long term right away. Hickey was drafted during a new era, coupled with a couple injuries, that have people questioning the legitimacy of the pick.

I can't watch all the hockey in the minors to know how well Hickey stacks up against the rest of them, but he is a fantastic defenseman in the Kings system. I hope he enjoys his time as an all-star in the AHL, and hopefully he'll get his cup of tea in the NHL soon.

Hickey is still right on track. I'd love to see him get a cup of coffee in LA at some point this year.