This is a big battle between two of Ottawa's better forward prospects. Which prospect will have a bigger impact over the course of their careers - and why?
In one corner:
Wearing Blue and Gold - Mika Zibanejad.
At 6'2" and approximately 200 pounds, Zibanejad has the size to be a power forward in the pro ranks. He's recently completed a fairly disappointing season by his standards, where he was concussed and was limited to only 26 SEL games, posting an admirable 13 points. Not a bad point total at all for his age and how he was used as a checker with some chances in the top six.
Still, Zibanejad wasn't able to show his elite level skills too much and then had an underwhelming WJC - although he scored the goal heard around the world to life Sweden to a Gold Medal in OT.
On the plus side, anyone you read or talk to immediately comments on several characteristics that usually come to the forefront. 1.He has an endless motor - meaning he's constantly working on the ice, whether it's to forecheck, to drive the net, to hit, he's 'on' constantly. 2.He's got a great attitude - very important, especially to Ottawa who appears to be looking for that kind of 'winning' attitude. 3.He's got a fantastic, NHL ready shot. 4.He's good away from the puck.
Put these components all together and you get what appears to be a sure fire NHLer, however, he basically missed a year of development last year, so he'll either have to play in Bingo, or come to camp and blow Sens' management away.
Wearing Red, White and Blue - Stefan Noesen.
Many of Zibanejad's characteristics can be copy and pasted over here. Noesen started his OHL career very quietly on the Plymouth Whalers - a team that included Tyler Seguin. He was used sparingly and as a penalty killer, so it wasn't until Noesen broke out offensively the next year, scoring 77 points including 34 goals that he started to turn heads. the year after, he broke the 80 point barrier and had team highs in goals (38), assists (44) and points. He then turned in a spectacular performance in the playoffs until an injury forced him out.
He's been compared to Corey Perry by GM Bryan Murray - a combination of skill and size with a knack for being both ultra competitive and downright nasty from time to time. He's a dogged forechecker who plays well away from the puck and at 6'1", 195, he's got the size to make an impact sooner rather than later.
This year will be a year where Noesen plays a major role for the Plymouth in the OHL and hopefully makes Team USA at the WJC. By the end of the year Noesen will likely force himself into consideration for a spot in the NHL, although a trip to the AHL is likely in the cards.
In one corner:
Wearing Blue and Gold - Mika Zibanejad.
At 6'2" and approximately 200 pounds, Zibanejad has the size to be a power forward in the pro ranks. He's recently completed a fairly disappointing season by his standards, where he was concussed and was limited to only 26 SEL games, posting an admirable 13 points. Not a bad point total at all for his age and how he was used as a checker with some chances in the top six.
Still, Zibanejad wasn't able to show his elite level skills too much and then had an underwhelming WJC - although he scored the goal heard around the world to life Sweden to a Gold Medal in OT.
On the plus side, anyone you read or talk to immediately comments on several characteristics that usually come to the forefront. 1.He has an endless motor - meaning he's constantly working on the ice, whether it's to forecheck, to drive the net, to hit, he's 'on' constantly. 2.He's got a great attitude - very important, especially to Ottawa who appears to be looking for that kind of 'winning' attitude. 3.He's got a fantastic, NHL ready shot. 4.He's good away from the puck.
Put these components all together and you get what appears to be a sure fire NHLer, however, he basically missed a year of development last year, so he'll either have to play in Bingo, or come to camp and blow Sens' management away.
Wearing Red, White and Blue - Stefan Noesen.
Many of Zibanejad's characteristics can be copy and pasted over here. Noesen started his OHL career very quietly on the Plymouth Whalers - a team that included Tyler Seguin. He was used sparingly and as a penalty killer, so it wasn't until Noesen broke out offensively the next year, scoring 77 points including 34 goals that he started to turn heads. the year after, he broke the 80 point barrier and had team highs in goals (38), assists (44) and points. He then turned in a spectacular performance in the playoffs until an injury forced him out.
He's been compared to Corey Perry by GM Bryan Murray - a combination of skill and size with a knack for being both ultra competitive and downright nasty from time to time. He's a dogged forechecker who plays well away from the puck and at 6'1", 195, he's got the size to make an impact sooner rather than later.
This year will be a year where Noesen plays a major role for the Plymouth in the OHL and hopefully makes Team USA at the WJC. By the end of the year Noesen will likely force himself into consideration for a spot in the NHL, although a trip to the AHL is likely in the cards.