Rob Schremp has always been labeled a "can't miss" kid.
Too bad the Edmonton Oilers' prospect has mostly been miss so far.
Yet, if you've seen Schremp play, you'd be puzzled by the Oilers' decision to leave him on the farm.
Sure, he's also been called cocky and even lazy, but you know what they say about opinions.
A look at Schremp's accomplishments suggests a player worthy of the NHL:
Why, then, has Schremp played just three games with Edmonton in two years?
You could say there are better players ahead of him. With dazzling youngsters Sam Gagner and Andrew Cogliano on the roster, maybe so.
However, the goal-starved Oilers recently called up Liam Reddox, never a big scorer, instead of Schremp - whose forte is scoring.
An easier explanation is that his failure to stick is due to having off-season knee surgery.
Nope, wrong.
Schremp was up for two games early this season.
What blows me away, though, is that he was on the ice for just three minutes in one contest. How can anyone accurately gauge a player's ability based on four shifts?
Impossible, in my opinion.
Judging by the league-high 18 player moves Edmonton's made this year, perhaps their assessments are lacking.
If it's not his talent or physical readiness, it must be his state of mind that has stymied his promising career.
Looking at his history, it makes sense.
He wore out his welcome with the OHL's Mississauga Ice Dogs, so they traded him to London.
During a pivotal playoff Game Seven with London one year, he was benched for the third period, except for power-play duty.
All the talent in the world won't get you into the NHL if your mind isn't right.
Good thing he's just 21.