Claimed:Denis The Next Big Thing?

[Tyler 885]

Slovakian Youngster has Boom or Bust Potential

 

 

There have been few Slovakian born players to make a true impact in the VHL, but 17 year old Milos Denis is looking to buck that trend. The 1997 born winger has an immense amount of skill and is looked at as one of the more skilled prospects for the Season 39 Draft as a whole. Born in Presov, Milos moved to Saskatchewan in Canada at a young age and has played hockey in North America since he was 15 years old. Many scouts have him labeled as one of the most interesting prospects in a long time and look at him as the very definition of "boom or bust".

 

There are almost as many red flags with Milos has there are signs of greatness, and it will be interesting to see which ones win out when it comes to his draft day. "His speed and skill is off the charts, but he was invisible in the WHL playoffs this year," said one anonymous scout. "He might be the most purely skilled player I've ever seen at 17 years old, but he is also probably the most frustrating I've ever seen play," said the same scout when asked about Denis. We asked him if he would take the player in the first round of the VHL Draft and he was non-committal, "I don't know. I mean, he is obviously so talented and I would love a chance to mold him in to a more complete player, but the question is, is it really worth all the effort? Is he willing to put in all of the work? I'm not sure he is."

 

Slovakian hockey has never had a player with the potential of Milos Denis.

 

Milos has, since he came over to Canada at least, been on pro hockey's collective radar and seen as one of the potential "next ones". There is a group of scouts who rank him as being equal to Connor McDavid of the Erie Otters as the best 1997 born hockey player in the world, and a group who would laugh at the entire concept. The truth, as always, is probably somewhere in the middle. Milos may never reach his great potential and he may be a 20 goal, 40 assist guy which is certainly nothing to laugh at. However, the potential for great things is certainly there and I think if he were three inches taller (6' rather than 5'9") then many of the debate surrounding him would not exist. His 153 pounds is obviously too small to be a regular in any pro hockey league with physicality, and he will need to add some weight to his body if he wants to even sniff his potential.

 

Denis is one of the more enigmatic players in recent memory and will seek to disable his doubters as he looks to join a VHLM club in time for the playoffs. "I know a lot of people doubt me," said the 17 year old in broken English, "I think I bring some of it on myself, and some of it are stereotypes of European players in Canada." The stereotype that Europeans are more selfish, lazier and more about skill than winning is a strong one in North American hockey and Milos Denis totally fits that mold. Despite having played in Canada for three years, he has never won a single playoff series and many wonder if he is fit for post season play. Everyone knows hockey in the playoffs is more physical, more about defense and more about buying in to a system. These are three things that the 17 year old Slovak seems allergic to and are three things he will likely have to fix if he wants to become a legitimate playoff performer in the future, be it in the minor leagues or in the VHL itself.

 

Many question whether or not Denis has the "coachable" factor.

 

There is always hype surrounding young skilled hockey players, and the hype train is certainly alive and well when it comes to Milos Denis. The '97 born winger has scored everywhere he's went and is one of the smoothest hockey players the world over and since coming to Canada as a 14 year old, has had a ton of attention on his game. Slovakia may not have a VHL star to its name, but if things work out for Milos Denis, they may just have their first superstar on their hands.

 

[Fire Tortorella 2,653]

Content: 3/3 - Denis is certainly an interesting prospect. While his agent has been known for creating great players in the past, his previous player's career (or relative lack of) must be taken into account. If I had to put money on it, I'd definitely say that Denis will be more boom than bust.

 

Grammar: 2/2 - Not bad.

 

has there = as there

many of the debate = much of the debate

world over and = world and

 

Appearance: 1/1 - Nicely done.

 

Overall: 6/6

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