This hit by 5-foot-8 Logan Stankoven proves that a player's height means nothing
As Leafs fans, we hear it after almost every draft pick. ''Why don't the Leafs stop drafting smurfs?'' or "typical Leafs/Dubas draft pick" whenever the Buds draft a player under 6 feet tall. It's almost as though guys aren't paying attention to the fact that a player's height does not define their game. Case in point, Johnny Gaudreau, Ryan Ellis, Alex DeBrincat and Viktor Arvidsson are all players under 5'10 who have enjoyed plenty of successful NHL seasons - and they're only a few examples. There are a number of players throughout NHL history who people have written off because of their size.
Last year at the 2021 NHL Entry Draft, we saw first round talent Logan Stankoven drop to the Dallas Stars in the middle of the second round, 47th overall. Stankoven put up 104 points in 59 games for the Kamloops Blazers this season in the WHL, and has so far scored a goal per game in the WHL playoffs, with 17 goals and 31 points in 17 games. This kid is not only going to be an NHL player - he's going to be a good one.
The thing about Stankoven that makes him such an intriguing prospect is that, while he may only be 5'8, he doesn't shy away from the physical side of the game. He'll finish his checks and that much was evident in the third period of last night's Game 7 against the Seattle Thunderbirds, when he absolutely FLATLINED 6'1 Jeremy Hanzel.
This is a perfect example of why Leafs fans should be patient with Nick Robertson. He has game-breaking ability and is a tenacious little buzzsaw. The biggest issue with him is the terrible injury luck he's had. One healthy season, and we may be looking at our very own version of Logan Stankoven right here in Toronto.
